Please Read This Before Applying:
The Application Processfor 2009/2010 Academic year is complete. If you still wish to apply, please contact:
Su Smallen by email at: smallen@stolaf.edu
Inroduction:
Writing Assistants are hired in spring term and begin training for positions to begin the following academic year. We prefer that once we hire and train you to be a Writing Assistant that you will continue to work each year, provided you meet all expectations, until you graduate from St. Olaf.
As a Writing Assistant, you would tutor students in both Writing Place and the one-to-one program for English Language Learners (the ELL program). You must be interested and available to work in both environments. Writing Place is a help center (located in Rolvaag Den), available for walk-in and appointments. ELL offers semester-long private tutoring—you would work regularly with one student.
Writing Assistants primarily help with writing, and this includes reading, and focusing on individual language acquisition concerns, for example, verb tenses and agreement. Some students receiving individual ELL tutoring are non-native speakers, some are underprepared native speakers, and some are students with disabilities.
The minimum time commitment you need to make in order to retain this position is 7 hours per week. We prefer if you are available 9 or 11 hours per week, but we can not guarantee hours. A typical schedule with the minimum number of hours looks like this: two 2-hour shifts every week in Writing Place, two 1-hour sessions every week tutoring one-to-one, and 1 hour per week for training most weeks of the term. In addition, you need to be available via email for communication with your supervisor, and sometimes also with your students’ professors.
Writing Assistants are expected to work Fall, Interim, and Spring terms, unless arrangements are made to accommodate study abroad.
Writing Assistants must also be available for training: one 2-hour session in Spring 09, two 1-hour shadowing sessions in Spring 09, and two full days before Fall 09 term begins: Labor Day and the day after Labor Day.
Writing Assistants may find it necessary to also work in other positions on or off campus. There are some jobs that we know are incompatible: If you are an RA or JC, or if you work for the Messenger, you can not also be a Writing Assistant. Please seriously consider your academic and other commitments, for example to music or sports, before you apply to be a Writing Assistant.
To be a Writing Assistant is to be a professional. In this position you must meet high expectations of and responsibilities to students, professors, Academic Support Center Staff, and deans. Writing Assistants are employees of St. Olaf College and therefore are expected to serve its mission and reputation of quality education. As a Writing Assistant, you must be self-motivated and accountable.
As a Writing Assistant you work autonomously. Usually in Writing Place, and always in the ELL program, Writing Assistants work solo. Tutoring is most often given one-to-one, although sometimes tutoring may be given in small groups.
We seek strong writers with a solid understanding of grammar who are knowledgeable and intuitive about structure and language. We seek tutors who are articulate, patient, and compassionate, and who are comfortable and keen to ask questions and to listen for clues to help their peers.
Tutors may be majors in any discipline. There is no requirement for financial aid or GPA.
Mission: The mission of Writing Assistance is to support and guide all St. Olaf students in their development as writers, and ultimately, their pursuit of academic excellence.
Motto: “Help with any stage of your writing process”
Philosophy: Writing Assistance at St. Olaf College provides support for all students who wish to develop as writers. Writing is a cross-curricular concern; it is not formulaic; often there are no “right answers.” Writers must develop critical thinking, creativity, and intuition in addition to learning strategies and rules. We believe all writers benefit from the opportunity to talk with a trained consultant who genuinely wants to listen to and discuss an individual’s writing. Because we are process-oriented rather than product-oriented, our goal is to suggest focused writing and revising strategies that writers can apply to more than just one piece of writing.
Description: Writing Assistance at St. Olaf has two components: Writing Place, a writing help center for all students, and ELL Assistance, offering assigned, private tutoring for English language learners. Writing assistance is available for all students at St Olaf. We also partner with professors who teach writing intensive courses and wish to incorporate writing assistance into their curriculum.
Hours of Service: Writing Place is open Sunday through Friday during fall and spring semesters: Sunday 1-10pm, Monday-Thursday 8am-10pm, Friday 8am-6pm (closed Saturday). ELL assistance is assigned based on an intake interview with the student/client and the director. Sessions are typically one hour, 2 to 3 times per week. The client and assistant determine the days, times, and place that work best for them.
Staff: One part-time Language Learning Specialist who directs the programs and provides professional writing consultations, and 27 peer writing assistants.
Peer writing assistants provide tutoring for Writing Place and ELL. Flexible staffing (one staff for both programs) addresses the tutors’ need for guaranteed employment (rather than be kept on stand-by until needed) thereby improving retention, and facilitates the variable demand for one-to-one tutoring. Cross-trained assistants are more deeply informed, experienced, and invested, and therefore, better consultants.
Training of Peer Writing Assistants: Training of peer writing assistants occurs in three ways: spring training and shadowing, intensive pre-fall training, and mentor groups. Assistants newly hired in the spring participate in a training session led by senior writing assistants and new-hires shadow experienced tutors to receive some hands-on experience and acculturation. Intensive training takes place prior to the start of fall term, with assistants participating in two full days of training. Intensive training involves: discussion of the mission of Writing Assistance at St. Olaf; discussion of assigned summer reading of two texts, The Bedford Guide for Writing Tutors and ESL Writers; discussion of multicultural issues; roleplay for active learning; and review of grammar, punctuation, and writing styles and strategies. Training continues throughout the year as assistants meet in small mentor groups weekly. Mentor groups are governed by the best, most experienced assistants acting as lead mentors. Mentor groups troubleshoot problems that arise during the week’s tutoring sessions, discuss assigned readings, and develop and deliver workshops and materials in support of Writing Assistance. Writing Assistants, as they advance in experience, also participate in hiring and training.
Goals for 09-10:
Quality of Service: To hire committed, compassionate, articulate, curious, flexible, critical thinkers with impeccable writing and interpersonal skills. Writing Assistants are detail-oriented and can see the big picture. They excel at asking guiding questions.
Reliability of Service: Students and faculty can rely completely on tutors who fulfill their para-professional commitments as employees of St. Olaf College.
Due to technicial difficaulty we are extending the application time.
Please have your professor email recommendation letters to Su Smallen at smallen@stolaf.edu.
Applications are due Monday, March 30 at Noon
Interviews are expected to take place April 6-9, and decision letters the week beginning April 21.
How to apply:
- Have your resume ready to upload
- Have two letters of recommendation ready to upload—preferably these should be from St. Olaf professors who can testify to your writing and interpersonal skills.
- Have a research paper ready as a writing sample to upload
- Remember, the quality of your application will determine whether you are invited for an interview.
- Click on the following statement to proceed:
By clicking on the “I agree” link, I confirm that I have read this job description and carefully considered my ability to commit to the position of Writing Assistant if hired: I agree
