Writing Specialist

Job Overview

About the Opportunity The College of Professional Studies (CPS) at Northeastern University invites applications for a part‑time non‑tenure track Writing Specialist in CPS Online Writing Laboratory (OWL). The CPS OWL functions as a 1‑credit lab course attached to other CPS courses. Through sophisticated feedback that follows best practices in the teaching of writing and composition, OWL gives students individual coaching to improve their writing skills.

OWL serves as a practicum where students can submit drafts, receive praise and strategies for improvement, revise and edit their writing, and submit final drafts for grading. The Writing Specialist may be assigned to an OWL associated with undergraduate 1st‑year English courses or an intensive writing course associated with the graduate program in Organizational Communications.

• This part‑time staff member will teach OWL lab courses throughout the academic year.
• Teaching 1‑credit laboratory courses connected to 5 English courses and 1 Organizational Communications course.
• Participate in an extensive 6‑week online training course for writing specialists prior to assignment to courses.
• Respond to student writing by writing letters of analysis to each individual student who submits drafts to the OWL.
• Assign a grade of U or S at the end of each term to participating students.
• Collaborate and communicate with faculty assigned to the courses that the OWL labs accompany.
• Maintain technological proficiency in Northeastern University’s online platform (Canvas and the OWL labs) and use this proficiency to communicate with students and faculty.
• Keep up to date and in contact with the academic director and faculty members regarding appropriateness of course/program content and student issues of concern; e.g., plagiarism.

• Required:
  
  an MFA in Creative Writing or Composition, or an MA in English, Communications, or a related field.
• 3‑5 years of experience working with students in composition courses or other writing courses at the collegiate level.
• Experience in writing centers strongly desired.
• Professional writing experience also desired.
• Writing Specialists must be versed in theories of writing as a process; respond to writing through an organized process that encompasses all writing skills, particularly higher‑order writing skills, and theories that support student autonomy by asking students to respond to and assess their own writing.

Temporary

Pay Rate: $33/hour

Northeastern University offers a comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees. This includes medical, vision, dental, paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness and life, retirement— as well as commuting and transportation.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.