Writing Specialist

Benefits of Being a Lindenwood Employee:

• Upon hire, employer-paid tuition benefits for bachelor’s (employee, spouse, and dependent) and master’s degree programs (employee and spouse only).
• Tuition discounts for doctoral programs (employee only).
• Comprehensive benefits plan: medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability insurance, and retirement options.
• Paid holidays: MLK Jr. day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving break (Wednesday – Friday), and winter break (Dec. 23 – Jan. 1).
• Free lunch Fridays: LU employees are eligible for a free meal on Fridays at the Evans Commons Dining Hall or Spellman Dining Hall; Chick-fil-A and Qdoba included.   
• Professional development opportunities through the Lindenwood Learning Academy.

Job Title:  Writing Specialist

Division:  Academic Affairs

Evaluation Group:  Staff

FLSA Status:  Non-Exempt

Reports To:  Director, Writing Center

Positions Supervised:  N/A 

The writing specialist supports students and instructors via classroom writing activities, presentations, and small group/one-on-one consultations. This position collaborates with instructors to develop various levels of writing assignments and assists students in person and virtually while at the Writing Center.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representation of the types of duties and level of responsibility that will be required of positions given this title. This job description shall not be construed as a declaration of the total of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

Job Responsibilities and Execution

• Provides feedback on students’ writing assignments via in-person, video chat, or email feedback
• Provides intense in-class writing support
• Develops training materials and a composite of resources for writing instructors; trains and mentors writing specialists and consultants
• Provides effective student development and learning strategies for working with under-prepared, approved accommodations for, or anxious students
• Consults with faculty and staff to identify areas for curricular pedagogical enhancement
• Conducts writing conferences for students
• Stays current – through readings, videos, and conference attendance – on best practices in writing center pedagogies
• Provides review, minor editing, and proofreading of instructors’ scholarly articles
• Embeds directly within the learning management system to provide support to graduate and undergraduate students and instructors, as requested

Service Excellence

• Supports the mission of the University and serves as an ambassador of the Q2 culture of service excellence
• Models, supports and holds others accountable to the University’s values
• Supports campus-wide events, to include Family Day and Future Lions
• Provides excellent customer service to students, faculty, staff, and community members 

Communication, Teamwork, and Collaboration

• Collaborates with Writing Center colleagues on best practices and conference techniques
• Explains grammar concepts, writing pedagogy, and best practices
• Observes writing consultants to ensure quality of service
• Works with student academic and support services and library staff to support students’ academic needs
• Develops pre-made video tutorials to support concepts and platforms to include Canvas Commons
• Tracks appointments and maintains student records in WCOnline (the Writing Center's online scheduling program) for assessment plan

Job may require other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications – An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience will be considered. Additional requirements may be designated by position.

• Bachelor’s degree
• Prior related work experience in tutoring or teaching
• Master’s degree in English or related field preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities – May be representative, but not all inclusive, of the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform this job competently.

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse communities and cultures
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and Canvas
• Strong leadership and collaborative skills
• Highly organized
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• Highly developed analytical and creative skills
• Proficient in writing formats and styles, including American Psychological Association (APA), Modern Language Association (MLA), Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS), and American Medical Association (AMA)

Work Environment – Environmental or atmospheric conditions commonly associated with the performance of this job’s functions.  Please click here to view Lindenwood University’s flexible work designation descriptions.

• General office setting
• Maintains flexible schedule that allows support outside the classroom for non-traditional students
• Non-Standard Flex

Physical Abilities – The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform this job’s essential functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Ability to work effectively at a computer for up to eight hours daily
• Ability to sit for extended periods of time
• Regular attendance is a necessary and essential function

Equal Opportunity Employer

Lindenwood University is an Equal Opportunity employer. The University complies with appropriate federal, state, and local laws and provides equal employment opportunities and access to educational programs without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability, or any other protected status to all qualified applicants and employees.  Lindenwood University is committed to a policy of non-discrimination and dedicated to providing a positive discrimination-free educational work environment.