Writing Specialist for Online Programs

Job Summary

This is a part-time (0.5 FTE) position. The compensation rate below reflects a 0.5 FTE.

Reporting to the Associate Dean of Student Success and Academic Programs, and under the direct work lead/supervision of the Writing Center Director, the Writing Specialist for Online Programs provides direct academic support to students seeking online degrees. Working in the SJSU Writing Center under general supervision, the Writing Specialist for Online Programs offers the following services to students and faculty in online courses: one-on-one tutoring via appointments and/or open lab drop-ins, targeted in-class assistance in conjunction with faculty (through embedded tutoring), individualized training and advice about teaching writing online to faculty, and informational sessions about the Writing Center. The Writing Specialist also engages in outreach activities and markets Writing Center events/services specifically to online students. The employee in this role gathers information about areas of need for online students and reports those findings to the Writing Center Director and Coordinator of Online Writing Support Services.

This position may work a hybrid telecommuting work schedule, dependent on department need. This agreement will be reviewed and must be approved by University Personnel. For additional information on the telecommuting policy, please click here

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct individual and/or small-group tutoring sessions with students in online degree programs
• Offer tutoring hours in the evenings and on weekends to support online students with their writing
• Offer additional tutoring hours as needed on an appointment and/or drop-in basis
• Help students improve their writing skills and their ability to self-edit
• Work with students during all phases of the writing process and from various disciplines
• Be embedded in select writing-intensive online courses to support faculty and students in those classes
• Facilitate existing Writing Center workshops to students in courses in which the Specialist is embedded
• Facilitate writing activities and create new writing resources (e.g., instructional videos or handouts) for students in courses in which the Specialist is embedded
• Engage in outreach activities for students in online degree programs
• Advertise Writing Center services and Writing Specialist offerings to students in online degree programs
• Provide reports to the Director and Coordinator of Online Writing Support Services about usage of special services for online students
• Represent the university at conferences on online tutoring and/or writing centers

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Ability to work evenings and weekends
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships within a diverse multicultural environment
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives
• Demonstrated knowledge of pedagogical best practices in general tutoring and in writing centers
• Demonstrated expertise of best practices in university-level writing instruction
• Ability to make effective presentations before groups
• Ability to use appropriate instructional technologies and databases, Google docs/drives, and Microsoft Office suite
• Working knowledge of the practices, procedures and activities of the program to which assigned
• General knowledge of research and interview techniques; and of the principles of individual and group behavior
• Ability to interpret and apply program rules and regulations
• Ability to use initiative and resourcefulness in planning work assignments and in implementing long-range program improvements
• Ability to collect, compile, analyze and evaluate data and make verbal or written presentations based on these data
• Ability to advise students individually and in groups on routine matters where required
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with faculty, CSU administrators, student organizations, private and public agencies and others in committee work, and student advising and community contacts
• Ability to rapidly acquire a general knowledge of the overall operation, functions and programs of the campus to which assigned
• Demonstrated ability to make decisions and carry through actions having implications with regard to other program or service areas Services Office

Required Qualifications

• Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university in one of the behavioral sciences, public or business administration or a jobrelated field
• Two (2) years of professional experience in one of the student services program areas or in a related field. A master's degree in a jobrelated field may be substituted for one year of professional experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in English, Professional and Technical Writing, Linguistics, TESOL, rhetoric/composition, creative writing, or directly related discipline
• Two (2) years of experience working in tutoring or writing centers (Master's level degree can substitute for one year of experience)
• Experience providing writing support to university students
• Experience tutoring and/or teaching students online
• Experience with creating instructional writing resources

Compensation

Classification: Student Services Professional II
Anticipated Hiring Range: $2,542/month - $2,688/month (Salary is reflective of 0.5 FTE)
CSU Salary Range: $5,083/month - $7,228/month

San Jose State University offers employees a comprehensive benefits package typically worth 30-35% of your base salary. For more information on programs available, please see the Employee Benefits Summary.

Application Procedure

Click Apply Now to complete the SJSU Online Employment Application and attach the following documents:

• Resume
• Letter of Interest

All applicants must apply within the specified application period: January 28, 2025 February 11, 2025. This position is open until filled; however, applications received after screening has begun will be considered at the discretion of the university.

Contact Information

University Personnel
jobs@sjsu.edu
408-924-2252

CSU Vaccination Policy

The CSU strongly recommends that all individuals who access any in-person program or activity (on- or off-campus) operated or controlled by the University follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications and comply with other safety measures established by each campus. The system wide policy can be found at https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/9779821/latest/ and questions may be sent to jobs@sjsu.edu.

Additional Information

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. SJSU will issue a contingent offer of employment to the selected candidate, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was offered the position on a contingent basis.

The standard background check includes: criminal check, employment and education verification. Depending on the position, a motor vehicle and/or credit check may be required. All background checks are conducted through the university's third party vendor, Accurate Background. Some positions may also require fingerprinting. SJSU will pay all costs associated with this procedure. Evidence of required degree(s) or certification(s) will be required at time of hire.

SJSU IS NOT A SPONSORING AGENCY FOR STAFF OR MANAGEMENT POSITIONS. (e.g. H1-B VISAS)

All San Jose State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. Incumbent is also required to promptly report any knowledge of a possible Title IX related incident to the Title IX Office or report any discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation to the Office of Equal Opportunity.

Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act and Campus Housing Fire Safety Notification:

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the Annual Security Report (ASR) is also now available for viewing at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Security-Report.pdf. The ASR contains the current security and safety-related policy statements, emergency preparedness and evacuation information, crime prevention and Sexual Assault prevention information, and information about drug and alcohol prevention programming. The ASR also contains statistics of Clery crimes for San Jose State University locations for the three most recent calendar years. A paper copy of the ASR is available upon request by contacting the Office of the Clery Director by phone at 408-924-1501 or by email at clerycompliance@sjsu.edu.

Pursuant to the Higher Education Opportunity Act, the Annual Fire Safety Report (AFSR) is also available for viewing at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Fire-Safety-Report.pdf. The purpose of this report is to disclose statistics for fires that occurred within SJSU on-campus housing facilities for the three most recent calendar years, and to distribute fire safety policies and procedures intended to promote safety on Campus. A paper copy of the AFSR is available upon request by contacting the Housing Office by phone at 408-795-5600 or by email at uhs-frontdesk@sjsu.edu.

Campus Security Authority - In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) and CSU systemwide policy, this position is subject to ongoing review for designation as a Campus Security Authority. Individuals that are designated as Campus Security Authorities are required to immediately report Clery incidents to the institution and complete Clery Act training as determined by the university Clery Director.

Equal Employment Statement

San Jose State University (SJSU) is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, creed, disability, ethnicity, gender, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, race, religion or lack thereof, sex, sexual orientation, transgender, or protected veteran status consistent with applicable federal and state laws. This policy applies to all SJSU students, faculty and staff programs and activities. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and certain other federal and state laws, prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in all education programs and activities operated by the university (both on and off campus).