Instructional Assistant - Writing Center
- Employer
- Sierra College
- Location
- California, United States
- Salary
- $25.00 - $25.00
- Date posted
- Dec 1, 2021
View more
- Position Type
- Administrative, Student Affairs, Academic Advising & Academic Support Services, Student Activities & Services
- Employment Level
- Administrative
- Employment Type
- Full Time
Description
Under direction of assigned manager, provides a full range of instructional assistance to facilitate and promote student success with writing across the curriculum; provides tutorial assistance to students in a laboratory setting; provides assistance to students and staff in the use of technology; maintains equipment in assigned labs; supervises and provides training to student and/or other temporary workers; and participates in Writing Center operations including ensuring that materials and technology are current.
Examples Of Functions and Tasks
REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES - The
following duties are typical for this job classification.
Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be
required to perform additional or different duties from those set
forth below to address business needs and changing business
practices.
1. Tutors and instructs Writing Center users individually or in
small groups; assesses variations in students’ abilities and
instructs on conventions of different academic disciplines;
anticipates potential learning problems and develops strategies to
overcome various problems; assesses needs of and adjusts
tutoring/instruction methods for special student populations;
answers students’ questions.
2. Analyzes writing assignments from instructors across the
curriculum to determine requirements; reads and evaluates student
writing across the curriculum, determining if writing meets
assignment criteria, class level standards, and the specific
requirements of particular instructors.
3. Explains writing style, tone, idiom, diction, rhetoric,
rhetorical modes, grammar and punctuation rules, spelling rules,
essay and paragraph organization and development, topic sentences,
thesis statements, and research documentation styles; explains
differences in term paper formats.
4. Asks questions to stimulate critical thinking in various
academic disciplines; guides students through the writing process
including pre-writing, drafting, revising, editing, and
proofreading.
5. Instructs students in analysis of literary works and models of
rhetoric styles including logic and argumentation and provides
examples and analogies to clarify concepts.
6. Diagnoses individual writing strengths and weaknesses and
develops individual programs for remediation; prescribes
supplemental work as necessary; selects and explains handouts and
exercises to supplement coursework.
7. Administers Writing Proficiency Module including assessing
diagnostic essay; provides instruction on module components;
monitors progress; evaluates practice exams; assesses readiness to
retake program final.
8. Reads and evaluates student and staff writing projects including
employment and college/university admissions applications, resumes,
reports, and business letters.
9. Monitors student activity during examinations; takes steps to
prevent and control unacceptable behavior.
10. Performs a range of computer training, troubleshooting, and
updating procedures and processes; trains Writing Center users in
Internet research methods and Internet functions as well as various
software applications; creates and maintains Writing Center Web
page; monitors virus detection and other software updates on
Writing Center network computers.
11. Provides users with general information regarding Writing
Center programs and services and/or District programs and services;
presents Writing Center services to faculty members and their
classes in lecture format; conducts flex workshops for District
staff members; creates materials to promote Writing Center
services; functions as a liaison between students, instructors,
tutors, and other Writing Center staff members; contacts
instructors for clarification of written and verbal
assignments.
12. Provides a variety of advising and mentoring services to
students; advises students with regard to English course selection;
offers encouragement and emotional support to Writing Center users;
refers students to various District student service organizational
unit(s) and/or individual staff member(s).
13. Researches and develops instructional materials; researches
grammar and punctuation rules in various handbooks and manuals;
consults literary and/or composition texts and/or reference works
and performs Internet searches to research concepts related to
student writing assignments across the curriculum; contacts
instructors, publishers, businesses, and other District staff
members for information applicable to student and staff writing
needs and Writing Center projects; determines purchasing needs,
investigates costs, and requests materials, equipment, and services
to meet Writing Center user and staff needs.
14. Develops instructional writing materials to aid students and
other District staff members; annually writes and/or revises a term
paper manual; writes and revises grammar, punctuation, and usage
exercises, essay and paragraph writing samples, and explanations of
concepts and rules of standard written American English composition
and literature; creates written instructions for use of Writing
Center services, software applications, and computer equipment;
creates answer keys for exercises.
15. Trains and supervises student assistants; resolves conflicts
between student and/or other temporary help and Writing Center
users.
16. Provides assistance to the Writing Center Coordinator in
planning and development of Writing Center objectives and Program
Assessment Review; develops and implements procedures and policies
to address problems and to meet new needs as they arise; ensures
materials are available for use.
17. Performs related duties as required.
QUALIFICATIONS - The following
generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the
job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to
successfully perform the assigned duties.
Knowledge of:
College level curricula and teaching strategies including theories
and pedagogies across the curriculum; tutoring and instructional
techniques.
In-depth American English language usage, grammar, syntax,
vocabulary, spelling, style, punctuation, writing processes,
rhetorical and discursive modes, logic, and pronunciation including
dialectical differences, linguistics, and Modern Language
Association (MLA), American Psychological Association (APA), and
Chicago Manual of Style (CMS), and Council of Science Editors
documentation styles.
In-depth literature and literary criticism; essay and other writing
evaluation standards, concepts, and techniques; disciplines taught
in lower-division collegiate level general education
curriculum.
Computer-aided instruction techniques.
Test and assignment writing techniques; testing procedures.
Office procedures, methods, and equipment including applicable
software applications such as word processing, desktop publishing,
spreadsheets, and database management.
Supervisory techniques and conflict resolution techniques.
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
methodology.
Needs of learning disabled and other special student
populations.
Distance learning methodology.
Ability to:
Read and write and tutor/instruct lower-division collegiate level
students in reading and writing skills.
Evaluate essays and other student writing.
Administer tests.
Relate positively to students in a teaching/learning environment
and recognize student needs.
Listen actively and effectively, identify and solve problems,
facilitate learning for students, and build student confidence in
writing ability.
Present standard American English language and other concepts
clearly and in a logical, sequential manner; provide remedial and
other assignments and explain concepts in an impromptu
fashion.
Perform research.
Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word
processing, spreadsheet, database management, network management,
desktop publishing, and Internet navigation applications.
Adapt to changing technologies and learn functionality of new
equipment and systems.
Operate multimedia equipment.
Maintain computer network equipment and peripherals, install
software, and perform minor maintenance and repair on computer
equipment.
Lecture in front of large groups.
Recognize variations in student backgrounds, abilities, and
learning styles.
Deliver criticism and encouragement in a thoughtful, tactful, and
sensitive manner predicated on accuracy; maintain patience,
empathy, and sensitivity to student needs and concerns; maintain
honesty, reliability, cooperation, and integrity.
Maintain Writing Center laboratory operations while focusing on
individual tutoring/instruction.
Train new student and/or other temporary help.
Work independently and collaboratively.
Perform general clerical functions.
Compile information and statistics and maintain accurate
records.
Plan and organize work to meet changing priorities and
deadlines.
Meet critical deadlines while working with frequent interruptions
under pressure.
Learn and apply applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes,
and regulations as well as administrative and departmental policies
and procedures.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in
writing.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those
contacted in the course of work.
Minimum Qualifications
Education and Experience Guidelines: Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Education/Training: Two years of college with major course work in English, TESOL, or a related field. A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university is desirable. Experience: Two years of increasingly responsible experience in teaching/tutoring adults in writing.PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT - The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.
Environment: Work is performed primarily indoors in an education center/classroom/laboratory setting. Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office and/or classroom/laboratory setting; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to occasionally walk, stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight; to operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard; and to verbally communicate to exchange information. Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction; vision sufficient to read computer screens and printed documents; and to operate assigned equipment. Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.
Supplemental Information
Sierra College is a Community College located near Sacramento,
California where a heavy emphasis is placed on academic excellence
and student success. Since its founding in 1936, Sierra College has
focused on quality instruction and meeting the evolving needs of
the students and communities that it serves. The Sierra Community
College District covers more than 3,200 square miles and serves the
Northern California foothill counties of Placer and Nevada, as well
as parts of El Dorado and Sacramento. We serve over 18,000 students
throughout the region in both on-ground and online courses,
including students at our main Rocklin Campus as well as at three
centers located in Grass Valley, Tahoe/Truckee, and Roseville. Our
District prides itself on academic excellence, having been named an
Aspen Prize for College Excellence eligible institution for 2019.
Sierra College has a strong commitment to the achievement of equity
and inclusion among its faculty, staff, and students and values the
rich, diverse backgrounds that make up the campus community. A
strong candidate for this position must demonstrate a profound
understanding of and experience with successfully supporting
individuals with varying backgrounds. This includes persons with
disabilities, various gender identities and sexual orientations, as
well as individuals from historically underrepresented communities
and other groups. Our District is committed to providing strategies
for success and proactive student-centered practices and policies
focused on eliminating equity gaps to ensure the District provides
an inclusive educational and employment environment focused on
strategies for success and equitable outcomes for all.
As an institution, Sierra College is committed to eliminating the
equity gap in all student populations with dynamic,
learner-centered practices and policies that fully engage the
college community. The ideal candidate will share the
College’s commitment to helping its racially and socioeconomically
diverse students succeed in their degree and career objectives.
Currently, Sierra College enrolls 18,300 students per term, where
approximately: 21% of Sierra College’s students are
Latin(o)(a)(x)(e), 3% are African-American, 3% are Filipino, 6% are
Asian-American, 1% are Native American, 1% are Pacific Islander, 7%
are multiracial and 57% are White.
The successful candidate will join a College dedicated to the use
of culturally responsive strategies and methods that meet the
varying needs of our students, faculty, staff, and surrounding
community. Sierra College demonstrates its commitment to equity by
supporting ongoing professional development for students, faculty,
and staff. These opportunities include trainings and workshops on
equity and inclusion, SC4 (Sierra College Community, Creativity,
Culture, and Collaboration Training), active Academic Senate
standing committees concerned with student success and equity, a
Presidential Equity Advisory Committee (PEAC), culturally
responsive student engagement centers, support for our undocumented
and AB540 students, campus-wide equity summits, a robust set of
programs, events, and conferences related to equity-mindedness and
supporting the success of our diverse students.
Need Help With Your Online Account?
- Use the online Help Guide or contact the NEOGOV Applicants Support Line at 855-524-5627 if you need assistance with your online applicant account.
- Applicant Support is available between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday through Friday.
REQUIRED APPLICATION DOCUMENTS:
- A Sierra College application,
- A resume, and
- A cover letter of no more than 4 pages that addresses:
- Please describe the transferable experience, knowledge, skills and abilities you possess to serve in this role.
- What culturally-inclusive/equity-minded practices/strategies would you incorporate into this role?
- Please describe your evidence of the responsiveness to and understanding of the racial, socioeconomic, and cultural diversity within the community college student population, including students with different ability statuses (e.g., physical and/or learning), sexual orientations, gender identity and expressions as these factors relate to the need for equity-minded practices within the classroom and in the campus community.
Given the current pandemic in our country, interviews will likely take place virtually via Zoom or a conference call. TRAVEL EXPENSES BORNE BY THE CANDIDATE (if in person interviews)
Other terms and conditions of employment are specified in the
applicable collective bargaining agreements on file in the District
Human Resources Department. Position description of record on file
in the Human Resources Department.
*Sierra Community College District currently operates campuses in
Rocklin, Roseville, Truckee and Grass Valley. In its management of
a multi-campus environment, the District reserves right of
assignment including the right to change assignment locations and
shift assignments based on District need. Although this position
may currently reside at the Rocklin campus, the assignment location
may be subject to change as needed. Additionally, the district
reserves the right to cancel, revise or re-announce this position
as well as any and all positions at any time.
EEO/TITLE
IX EMPLOYER
Sierra College is an equal employment opportunity employer
committed to nondiscrimination and the achievement of diversity and
equity among its faculty, staff, and students.
Persons with inquiries about the application of Title IX and/or EEO
may contact the Director of Diversity, EEO & Title IX (Title IX
Coordinator) at the address below, at (916) 660-7006 or via email
at EEOT9@sierracollege.edu.
Persons with questions regarding reasonable accommodation of
physical and other disabilities should contact the Sierra College
Human Resources Department at (916) 660-7105.
If you have limitations hearing or speaking, the State of
California offers a specially-trained Communications Assistant (CA)
that can relay telephone conversations for all of your calls. Dial
711 to reach the California Relay Service (CRS). Dialing 711 is for
everyone, not just those who have difficulty hearing on a standard
phone. If you prefer having your calls immediately answered in your
mode of communication, dial one of the toll-free modality and
language-specific numbers below. The call will be routed to the CRS
provider.
TTY/VCO/HCO to Voice
English 1-800-735-2929
Spanish 1-800-855-3000
Voice to TTY/VCO/HCO
English 1-800-735-2922
Spanish 1-800-855-3000
From or to Speech-to- Speech
English & Spanish 1-800-854-7784
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