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Instructional Assistant - Writing Center

Employer
Sierra College
Location
California, United States
Salary
$25.00 - $25.00
Date posted
Dec 1, 2021

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:
  

  1. A Sierra College application, 
  2. A resume, and
  3. 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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