"Alerted.org

Position Information

Posting Number 20113094

Position Title Director, Writing Center

FTE 1.00

Position Type Staff

Department Writing Center

Position Summary Information

Job Summary/Basic Function

About This Role:

The Lamar University Writing Center is a vibrant student support service that seeks an innovative writing professional to expand the conversations about writing and writing support at Lamar University. The Director reports to the chair of the Department of English & Modern Languages and leads the university writing center in its efforts to support student writers and researchers using effective strategies grounded in writing center studies. The Director guides a staff of undergraduate and graduate students who typically lead over 3,000 in-person and online sessions per academic year. The Director also supports faculty by developing and delivering in-person and virtual writing workshops targeting various writing concerns. The Writing Center Director should also expect to collaborate with the Writing Director and instructors of co-enrolled courses in order to provide targeted support for composition students.

What You’ll Do – Position Responsibilities:

+ Recruits, hires, and trains administrative staff and writing consultants. Completes all appropriate HR paperwork each semester for new hires/re-hires. Creates and inputs consultant schedules into scheduling system. Manages semester and annual budget; liaise with college business manager. Teachers one course per academic year. Updates center website as needed. Monitors and updates internal and external policies. Assesses program targets annually and develop needed actions for the future. Tracks progress report notifications, emails students tagged as “needing writing assistance,” and documents cases in campus retention tool. Maintains high-level ethics and purchases supplies, promotional materials, and other necessities. Maintains and documents inventory. Represents the center through involvement in university committees and advisory boards. Works with the Disability Resource Center to ensure the center is up-to-date on all accessibility initiatives.

+ Coordinates outreach with faculty and staff. Cultivates relationships across campus to advance the goals of the Center. Serves on appropriate campus committees and advisory boards. Coordinates with staff to strategize social media for the semester and approve postings based on university social media policy. Communicates services and hours of operation via campus communications, social media, emails to faculty. Staffs resource fairs, orientations, and start-of-semester activities. Explores opportunities to collaborate with programs and departments across campus to advance the goals of the center

+ Provides ongoing education to consultants. Is present in the center to mentor consulting staff. Serves in an advisory role for all style guides used on campus. Liaises with library faculty and staff for cross-disciplinary instructional opportunities. Collaborates with faculty to develop writing workshops. Identifies opportunities to provide instruction in non-traditional classroom settings, i.e. video library, workshops for student organizations, learning communities, etc. Coordinates with the Department of English & Modern Languages to mentor graduate teaching assistants.

+ Conducts research in writing center studies. Attends and/or presents at writing center or writing conferences.

Key Competencies:

+ Excellent written and oral communication skills.

+ Knowledge of best practices in writing center theory and practice.

+ Ability to lead effective training sessions for undergraduate and graduate tutors.

+ Ability to maintain personnel records (related to hiring, time sheets, etc.) effectively.

+ Effective personnel management skills.

+ Ability to create and manage schedules for tutors.

+ Effective budget management skills.

+ Teaching experience desirable at the college level.

+ Ability to plan and deliver effective workshops based on faculty requests and student needs.

+ Knowledge of current composition theory and practice, especially in relation to first-year. composition.

+ Knowledge of Microsoft Excel and ability to learn scheduling software.

Physical Requirements: Able to lift 25 lbs and be able to perform a variety of physical tasks including lifting, bending, stooping, squatting, stair climbing and walking between buildings.

Job Conditions: On campus

Who We Are:

Home to more than 17,000 students, Lamar University is among the fastest growing Texas colleges and universities. LU is a member of The Texas State University System, which is the first higher education system of Texas and maintains the lowest average tuition and fees of any university system in Texas. With more than 120-degree options and a community that cares, Lamar students are always proud to be Cardinals. Lamar University strives to educate leaders, demonstrate excellence in student learning and career readiness, and pursue research with relevance.

Lamar University is committed to fostering an environment of teamwork where all students, faculty, and staff can learn, work, and become a part of our community.

Benefits:

+ Health, dental & vision insurance

+ Life insurance

+ State of Texas Retirement plans

+ Tuition covered at 100% for employees, spouses and/or eligible dependents.

+ Paid time off – vacation, sick, and holidays.

To see more information about the available benefits, please visit: Benefits – Lamar University (https://www.lamar.edu/faculty-staff/human-resources/hr-services/benefits/index.html)

Minimum Qualifications

+ Master’s degree in English, Writing, Education, or related field.

+ 1-3 years of collegiate or writing center tutorial experience.

EEO Statement

Lamar University is An Equal Opportunity Employer

Veteran's Preference Statement

Lamar University is proud to provide employment preference to veteran applicants in accordance with Texas 805 Government Code, Section 657.003.

Preferred Qualifications

Security Sensitive Statement

This position is security-sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of the Texas Education Code §51.215, which authorizes the employer to obtain criminal history record information.

Salary commensurate

Work Hours

Application Information

Posting Date 04/23/2025

Close Date 07/23/2025

Open Until Filled No

Special Instructions