Graduate Writing Support Specialist

IMPORTANT APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

• Upload Resume or Curriculum Vitae for automatic population of information to the application.
• The contact information, work experience, and education listed on your Resume/CV will be parsed and input into your Montclair application.
• Review information and double-check all fields containing information that the system parsed – the software is intelligent, but you need to verify that the data is accurate.
• In the “My Experience” section, you will find a Resume/CV upload option where you can submit your cover letter and all other supporting documents.

Note: If you have an expansive CV, we recommend that you apply manually and only include the positions you have held in the last ten (10) years. You will then be able to attach your Resume/CV, as well as all other supporting documentation in the "My Experience" section of your application.

Job Description

SUMMARY:

Reporting to the Director of Student Academic Services, the Graduate Writing Support Specialist provides comprehensive writing support to graduate students across the University. The position supports graduate student success and research productivity by offering individualized coaching, workshops, and resources focused on scholarly writing, thesis and dissertation development, and professional writing for a range of careers. The Graduate Writing Support Specialist develops and maintains writing resources, facilitates writing communities, and contributes to programming that strengthens the university’s culture of research, writing, and scholarly communication.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide individualized writing support and coaching to graduate students at all stages of their academic programs, including preparation for written qualifying exams, thesis and dissertation proposal development, and thesis, dissertation, and capstone project writing.
• Provide writing support to graduate students preparing professional materials including cover letters, curriculum vitae, internship applications, job applications, graduate student fellowship and student grant applications, conference abstracts, and research and scholarly products.
• Develop and deliver workshops and programming that strengthen graduate student writing skills, including but not limited to topics such as developing thesis and dissertation proposals, thesis/dissertation writing strategies, scholarly writing, professional writing, writing productivity and time management, preparation of graduate fellowship and student grant applications, preparation of curriculum vitae and job applications.
• Develop and lead writing groups and other structured writing support initiatives.
• Maintain and enhance institutional resources supporting graduate writing, including the Dissertation Organizing Central (DOC) Canvas community, Master Your Thesis Canvas community, Graduate Student Canvas community, developing writing guides, and thesis/dissertation templates.
• Oversee thesis/dissertation milestone and tracking processes in collaboration with the Academic Support Services team.
• Provide guidance to students on university policies and formatting requirements for theses and dissertations.
• Provide guidance to students on the responsible use of AI in scholarly and professional writing.
• Collaborate with campus partners (Colleges and Schools, University Librairies, Office of Faculty Excellence) on research and scholarly writing events and initiatives.
• Conduct outreach to graduate programs to inform students of writing support services in collaboration with the Graduate Center’s Communications Coordinator.
• Collaborate with faculty, Chairs, Graduate Program Coordinators, and Doctoral Program Directors to support graduate student writing success.
• Participate in the design and delivery of Graduate Center programming related to graduate student success and professional development.
• Contribute to Graduate Center assessment and reporting efforts.
• Maintain records and track utilization of writing support services, including student participation (program, level, purpose).
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Management retains the right to add or change job duties at any time.

QUALIFICATIONS:

REQUIRED:

• Master's degree from an accredited college or university, preferably in a writing-intensive discipline.
• A minimum of three years of experience supporting academic or scholarly writing.
• Experience working with graduate students or advanced academic writers.
• Strong understanding of scholarly writing conventions and thesis/dissertation processes.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and coaching skills.

PREFERRED:

• Doctoral degree.
• Experience supporting doctoral dissertation writing.
• Experience facilitating writing groups or writing productivity programs.
• Familiarity with academic publishing, grant writing, or faculty scholarship.
• Experience working in a university writing center, graduate school, or faculty development office.

PROCEDURE FOR CANDIDACY:

Applicants should include a resume and cover letter describing how their background, skills and education match the needs of the University. When applying, please take a moment to carefully read and follow the steps in the application instructions.

Salary Range

The position may also be eligible for comprehensive benefits, including health insurance, retirement plans, and tuition assistance. For further details, please visit: https://www.montclair.edu/human-resources/benefits/   

Montclair State University considers factors such as, but not limited to, scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s relevant work experience, education, skills, and internal equity, when extending an offer.

Salary offers for internal employees who are part of a collective bargaining unit (CBU) and are applying to a position that is within a CBU will be determined in accordance with contractual provisions. 

Department

Position Type

Contact Information:

For questions or concerns, please contact Human Resources' Workday Recruiting Support at 973-655-5000 (Option 2), or email [email protected].

Inclusion Statement

Montclair State University values access and educational excellence. We are committed to an environment of diverse perspectives which ensures that graduates will be civically engaged, committed to democracy, and prepared to thrive as global citizens. We foster a community that promotes varied experiences and voices. We seek applicants who will contribute diverse ideas and perspectives and who value an environment that promotes educational growth and advancement for all.

EEO/AA Statement

Montclair State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution with a strong commitment to diversity.

Additional information can be found on the website at 
www.montclair.edu/human-resources/about-us/eo-aa-and-diversity/

Title IX and 34 C.F.R. 106 Policy

Montclair State is required by Title IX and 34 C.F.R. 106 not to discriminate on the basis of sex or gender, and does not discriminate on the basis of sex or gender in the operation of education programs and activities.  The requirement to not discriminate on the basis of sex or gender in the operation of education programs and activities extends to admission and employment. For further details, please visit: https://www.montclair.edu/human-resources/job-seekers/