Peer Writing Consultant - J. Dunham [Work Study]

Start Date: 5/4/2025
End Date: 5/1/2026
Number of Positions: 0-20
Hours per Week: Variable
Weekends Required: Some
Evenings Required: Some

Supervisor: John Dunham 

Alternate Supervisor: Kat Bell

This position allows for remote work Yes/No: Yes

Percentage of time that could be remote (0-100%): 100% - Writing Support via written feedback or zoom sessions; staff meetings and professional development; projects

Method to assess remote work: Effective reader feedback and collaborative support in line with Writing Center guidelines

Job Description

• A VWC Peer Writing Consultant’s primary responsibility is to review and respond to student writing submissions.
• The Writing Consultant must have a strong proficiency in writing and facility with online communication.
• The consultant should be an effective collaborator and communicator, interested in supporting other AU students’ growth as writers, and interested in joining the conversation about composition/writing center theory and practice.
• The majority of the work of the VWC is responding to writers’ submissions and contributing to the VWC community.
• Peer Writing Consultants are responsible for monitoring the online queue for writing submissions and responding in a timely fashion.
• The Consultant begins with the oldest submission and provides feedback according to VWC protocols.
• Written responses are based on a hierarchy of needs: first, alignment with the assignment; second, higher-order concerns such as organization, information development, focus, and integration of source material; third, suggestions for lower-order concerns such as sentence structure, word choice, grammar, and syntax.
• In certain circumstances, the Consultant is advised to confer with the VWC Director or Coordinator before responding.
• Additionally, the Writing Consultant may confer with other students through synchronous virtual meetings.
• These meetings are scheduled on request, and each Peer Consultant will provide potential days during their normal shifts that they could also be available for a virtual session.
• The same protocols apply to these sessions, as well as additional elements for an effective in-person response.
• The Consultant’s remaining responsibilities involve professional development through reading resources available on the VWC and Consultant Sakai sites.
• Consultants also engage in monthly conversations with other consultants during staff meetings and regular one-on-one meetings with the VWC Coordinator.
• Most consultants are also engaged in other ancillary projects related to resource development and writing for the VWC Newsletter.
• Consultants are paid for all professional development time in addition to their shifts monitoring the VWC queue.

Qualifications

• Essential qualifications are an inquisitive and flexible approach to learning and desire to help fellow students; training provided on all primary responsibilities. 
• Primary responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Adhere to established protocols of responding to student writing
  
• Monitor the VWC queue for writing submissions
  
• Respond to new writing submissions in a timely and appropriate fashion
  
• Assist in developing new materials and resources
  
• Participate in monthly staff meetings and stay current with required readings
  
• Represent the VWC on campus when needed
  
• Consistently read and respond to work-related emails
  
• Contribute to VWC newsletter
  
• Communicate and schedule work and absences with appropriate lead time
  
• Make up for any missed meetings through written engagement with meeting minutes.

  Consultant Learning Objectives:

• Develop skills for offering authentic written feedback that fosters writers’ growth
  
• Deepen understanding of writing as an epistemology and cognitive process
  
• Acquire insight into the expanding frontier of online learning
  
• Practice reading written work and providing valuable feedback
  

How to Apply: Email J Dunham, VWC Director, with a short cover email; a resume of related experience; and a sample of your own recent academic writing

Email: [email protected]

Position Type: Work Study

Department: Writing Support