Employment at the Writing Center

There are a number of employment opportunities available at the Writing Center. You need not be an English major; we encourage a variety of majors to apply. The WC currently employs students with teaching, science, linguistics, professional writing and editing, English, foreign language, creative writing, history and journalism backgrounds.

Positions are open to YSU undergraduate and graduate students, and faculty and staff members have the opportunity to volunteer at the Center as well. Positions include: office assistants, consultants, graduate assistants, interns, writing fellows, Composition Placement Test readers and MA tutors. Descriptions of major positions are listed below. Instructors are encouraged to recommend students for positions.

Student Office Assistant, Student Consultant, Graduate Assistant, Application Process

Job Descriptions:

Student Office Assistant

A Student Office Assistant at the YSU Writing Center reports to the WC Coordinator, receives Wage Level 1 salary and performs the following duties:

• Greets students and schedules appointments
• Aids with preparation and administration of the Composition Placement Test
• Provides general clerical assistance to English instructors
• Assists students with basic questions about computers (word processing, Internet, etc.)
• Represents the Writing Center at resource fairs
• Compiles demographic and daily lab attendance data
• Writes weekly reports
• Produces and proofreads typed copy
• Answers telephone, takes and delivers messages and makes requested calls
• Collects, sorts, distributes and delivers mail
• Runs errands on campus as needed
• Assists with student record keeping and mailings
• Sends e-mails to Writing Center staff
• Other, as assigned

Minimum requirements:

• Appropriate attitude for working in a service-oriented environment
• Good communication skills
• Clerical skills, including (but not limited to) use of basic office equipment
• Knowledge of computer word processing, spreadsheets and desktop publishing software
• Maintenance of a professional appearance, demeanor and work ethic
• Knowledge of, or ability to learn, Writing Center policies and procedures, basic information related to departmental responsibilities and other University services
• Availability to work 10-20 hours per week (occasional evenings and Saturdays)

Student Consultant

A Student Consultant at the YSU Writing Center reports to the Coordinator, receives Wage Level 1 salary, may be asked to perform all of the same duties of the Student Office Assistant and carries out the following additional tasks:

• Provides tutorial assistance for undergraduate and graduate students during individual sessions at Maag Library, Stambaugh Stadium or the Metro College at Southwoods
• Provides online assistance for distance learning students when necessary
• Prepares for consultations by assessing writing samples and utilizing resource materials
• Generates and files accurate, timely records on tutoring sessions
• Attends to students’ responses and adjusts strategies to meet their needs, which may include additional appointments, referrals or communicating with instructors
• Provides in-class tutorial assistance and leads workshops for classes when assigned
• Assists in all phases of daily operations
• Creates handouts, seeks out new resource material and designs workshops
• Sets a positive example and mentors new tutors after seniority is achieved

Minimum requirements (in addition to those of the Student Office Assistant):

• Excellent writing skills and ability to explain concepts of writing
• Strong overall academic performance, including minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
• Grades of A or B in English 1550 and 1551 (or equivalent grade in upper-division writing course)
• Knowledge of APA and MLA documentation styles
• Familiarity with MS Word ™ and MS PowerPoint ™
• Availability to participate in one week of pre-semester training and to attend monthly professional development meetings
• Availability to work at least six hours per week (possible evenings and Sundays)

Graduate Assistant, General Assignment

A Graduate Assistant (GA) at the YSU Writing Center reports to the WC Coordinator and the Graduate Program Director, receives a stipend established by the Graduate School and performs the following duties:

• Provides tutorial assistance in writing for undergraduate and graduate students during individual tutoring sessions at Maag Library, Stambaugh Stadium or the Metro College at Southwoods
• Provides online assistance for distance learning students
• Prepares for scheduled tutoring sessions by assessing writing samples and examining resource materials
• Maintains contact with clients’ instructors
• Presents workshops
• Creates handouts and finds new resource materials
• Serves as a positive role model for student consultants

An additional duty includes writing a 250-word proposal for a project that will improve or expand the Writing Center’s services. A successful proposal meets three criteria:

1. Complements a GA’s interests and experience
2. Fulfills a need on this campus
3. Can realistically be completed in 16 weeks

Minimum requirements:

• Regard for helping students
• Appropriate attitude for working in a service-oriented environment
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Grade of A in ENGL 6907: Teaching of Writing
• Knowledge of basic information related to Writing Center policies and procedures, departmental responsibilities and other University services
• Maintenance of a professional appearance and demeanor
• One-hundred hours of writing center experience OR completion of a writing-center-related project for ENGL 6907: Teaching of Writing or ENGL 6901: Methods of Composition Research
• Availability to participate in one week of pre-semester training and to attend staff meetings
• Availability to work 20 hours per week for 16 weeks per semester, including some evenings (a teaching assignment may be included to satisfy some of these hours)

Application Process:

To apply for employment at the Writing Center, you must include the following:

• Completed application (PDF)
• Three pieces of writing, at least one of which includes documentation
• Contact information for three references, at least one of which is a professor/instructor

Send your completed application packet to:

Youngstown State University
ATTN: The Writing Center
One University Plaza
Youngstown, OH 44555

You also have the options of personally delivering the packet to the WC (Maag 171) or e-mailing files that do not require a signature to Angela Messenger, WC coordinator, atajbarwick AT ysu DOT edu. If you have additional questions, please call the Writing Center at 330-941-3055.

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To learn about the Writing Center's current consultants and staff, check out our MyYSU Groups page (search for "Writing Center") or WCOnline (look for details listed under each consultant's name when scheduling an appointment) for more information.