Writing Specialist

Northeastern University•Boston, MA

About The Position

The College of Professional Studies (CPS) at Northeastern University is seeking a part-time, non-tenure-track Writing Specialist for the CPS Online Writing Laboratory (OWL). OWL is a one-credit lab course attached to other CPS courses. It provides individualized coaching and feedback grounded in best practices in writing and composition, helping students improve their writing through drafting, revision, and assessment. The lab may be assigned to undergraduate first-year English courses or to an intensive writing course in the graduate Organizational Communications program. This is a renewable, non-tenure-track position with a flexible schedule that includes required evening hours. The Writing Specialist teaches OWL lab courses during the academic year, responds to student drafts with individualized letters of analysis, and collaborates with associated course faculty. Specialists complete a six-week online training course before assignment and maintain proficiency with Northeastern's Canvas platform and OWL labs. At the end of each term, the specialist assigns participating students a grade of U or S and stays in communication with the academic director and faculty about course content and student concerns, including plagiarism.

Requirements

Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing or Composition, or a Master of Arts (MA) in English, Communications, or a related field.
Three to five years of experience working with students in collegiate composition courses or other writing courses.
Knowledge of theories of writing as a process.
Ability to respond to writing through an organized process encompassing all writing skills, particularly higher-order writing skills.
Knowledge of theories that support student autonomy by asking students to respond to and assess their own writing.
Flexible work schedule that includes required evening hours.

Nice To Haves

Experience in writing centers.
Professional writing experience.

Responsibilities

Teach OWL lab courses throughout the academic year.
Teach one-credit laboratory courses connected to five English courses and one Organizational Communications course.
Participate in an extensive six-week online training course for writing specialists before assignment to courses.
Respond to each student who submits drafts to OWL by writing an individual letter of analysis.
Assign participating students a grade of U or S at the end of each term.
Collaborate and communicate with faculty assigned to the courses accompanied by OWL labs.
Maintain technological proficiency in Northeastern University's Canvas platform and OWL labs, and use these tools to communicate with students and faculty.
Stay in contact with the academic director and faculty about course or program content and student issues of concern, such as plagiarism.