Writing Specialist

Mansfield Hall • Burlington, VT

1d • Onsite

About The Position

As a Writing Specialist at Mansfield Hall, you will support students one-on-one as they plan, draft, revise, and strengthen college-level writing assignments. You will help students understand prompts, organize ideas, develop arguments, find and use sources, and move through the writing process in a way that feels clear, manageable, and achievable.

You will work directly with students who are building the academic, executive functioning, and self-advocacy skills needed for college success. Many of our students are bright, capable, and full of potential, but may experience barriers related to task initiation, organization, attention, anxiety, perfectionism, or translating their thoughts onto the page. Your role is not to do the work for them, but to help them build the process, confidence, and skills to do the work more independently over time.

This is a meaningful, student-facing role focused on helping students become stronger writers, more confident learners, and more effective self-advocates. You will play a critical role in helping students move from feeling stuck or overwhelmed to understanding what they need to do next and how to get there.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in English, Special Education, Psychology, Education, Writing, or a related field
• Strong writing, editing, and communication skills
• Experience supporting students with college-level writing, tutoring, academic coaching, or instruction
• Ability to help students break complex assignments into clear, manageable steps
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a flexible, dynamic environment
• A student-centered approach grounded in patience, encouragement, and respect
• Comfort supporting students who may experience executive functioning, learning, attention, communication, or social differences

Responsibilities

• Support students through the writing process
• Meet one-on-one with students to discuss writing assignments, prompts, expectations, and deadlines
• Help students select topics, organize ideas, create outlines, and develop clear writing plans
• Support students in developing thesis statements, arguments, structure, clarity, and flow
• Help students find appropriate sources and incorporate those sources effectively and ethically into their writing
• Guide students through drafting and revision while maintaining student ownership of the work
• Help students think about audience, purpose, tone, and how their writing is coming across on the page
• Break larger writing assignments into smaller, achievable steps
• Help students create realistic timelines for completing writing assignments
• Support students in getting started, staying organized, and following through on writing tasks
• Help students push through common barriers, including avoidance, overwhelm, perfectionism, and difficulty articulating thoughts in writing
• Leave each session with clear expectations for what the student will complete before the next meeting
• Support students in developing repeatable writing processes they can use beyond a single assignment
• Collaborate with the Academic Team
• Communicate with the Academic Director regarding student progress, barriers, and next steps
• Provide clear updates on progress made during writing sessions to support future academic planning
• Help identify patterns in student writing needs and contribute to stronger academic support practices across the program
• Build positive, professional relationships with students
• Contribute to a fun, inclusive, and student-centered living and learning environment
• Support Mansfield Hall’s commitment to equity, accessibility, and meaningful college experiences for all students
• Bring patience, curiosity, structure, and encouragement to students who may be working through academic stress or self-doubt

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level