Writing Center Jobs

Writing Assistant Job Description

Our undergraduate and graduate writing assistants provide feedback for writers in all phases of the writing process from brainstorming to the final draft. We work with writers on all elements of writing, including idea development, organization, use of evidence, transitions, introductions and conclusions, citation and documentation, sentence fluency, voice, and grammar.

Tutor responsibilities include providing one-on-one, group, and online tutoring for Towson students for all types of writing projects, attending initial training and weekly staff training meetings, and helping market the center’s resources to students and faculty across campus.

Qualifications

• Effective interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to relate to students with various academic levels and needs
• Proven record of academic achievement and developed writing awareness
• Currently enrolled at Towson University with at least 30 credits completed

How to Apply for an Undergraduate Tutoring Position or Graduate Assistantship (GA)

To apply for a tutoring position or graduate assistantship, please send two 5-20 page academic writing samples to the director of the Writing Center, Wayne Robertson, at wrobertson AT_TOWSON, in addition to written permission to view your transcripts and the contact information for one faculty member willing to speak about your ability to work with others and your writing. Your writing samples can be from any academic discipline and topic and they should represent your best writing. Former applicants have sent us samples from TSEM, English, History, Psychology, and Health, among other subject areas. What we are most interested in are the ideas you share in your writing and how you organize those ideas rather than in smaller issues, such as spelling or grammar. If you have any questions about our application process, please send an email to our director, Wayne Robertson, or our assistant director, Carmen Meza at cmeza AT_TOWSON. We are always happy to help students as they apply for a position. 

A graduate student who receives a 10 hour, 9 month assistantship receives a stipend ($6,000) and a maximum tuition waiver up to 12 units that will be distributed on a 6 unit per semester basis. 

Our Interview Process

Applicants that are invited for an interview will meet virtually with our director, Wayne Robertson, and assistant director, Carmen Meza, for a 90-minute interview on Zoom. Our goal is to get a strong understanding of who you are as a writer, as well as the feedback you might offer a student that is seeking writing advice. To prepare for your interview, we recommend reading over your writing samples. This will help you speak confidently about your writing process and give us a better idea about your strengths as a writer. 

Writing Assistant Training

We offer our writing assistants 20 hours of initial training, starting with an orientation geared towards tutoring strategies and writing center theory and practice. Our training modules focus on working with writers on specific writing genres, such as academic essays and resumes, as well as multilingual writers. Before taking their first tutoring session, we offer our writing assistants an opportunity to observe sessions and team tutor with an experienced writing assistant. 

Front Desk Receptionist Job Description (Federal Work-Study Only)

Writing Center front desk receptionists meet, greet, and assist students, faculty, and staff as they enter the writing center. Receptionists help students make appointments in person and on the phone, as well as troubleshoot computer issues, and manage our email and online writing submissions. Receptionists help in many other administrative tasks such as filing, photocopying, inputting assessment data, and sending out instructor notification forms. All majors are welcome. We will work around your class schedule.

Qualifications

• Effective interpersonal communication skills
• Warm, helpful, professional attitude when working with colleagues and writing center visitors
• Good organizational skills and basic computer skills (Microsoft Word, email, Google Drive) are also required
• Minimum 3.0 GPA
• Awarded federal work-study from the Financial Aid Office for Fall and Spring 2023-2024.

How to Apply for a Front Desk Receptionist Position

Please send an email to Dr. Carmen Meza, assistant director of the Writing Center, at cmeza AT_TOWSON. This email should include your resume, a cover letter, fall 2023 course schedule, and confirmation of your federal work-study status for 2023-2024. Submit applications by June 30, 2023. Review will begin immediately, with a start date in August. Hired receptionists are required to attend online training and ongoing professional development throughout the year. 

Our Interview Process

Applicants that proceed to our second phase will meet with the assistant director of the writing center, Carmen Meza, and a member of our front desk staff for a 45-minute interview on Zoom. We are most interested in getting to know who you are as a college student, any customer service roles you have performed, and how you are prepared to work with a diverse group of students. To get a strong understanding of the writing center’s mission and available resources, we recommend reviewing our website prior to your interview. 

Front Desk Receptionist Training

Our front desk staff are trained by our assistant director and current front desk staff. Training begins with an orientation about the writing center’s tutoring services and appointments as well as our online software program, WCOnline. Incoming staff tour the writing center and learn about our opening procedures, daily to-dos, and closing procedures.