2020-2021 OWRC Peer Tutor Job Description
The application for Peer Tutors, Education Writing Tutors, STEM Writing tutors, and English Language Support tutors is now open and accepting applications until Friday April 17th. Please find the application here.
Department Description
The OWRC is an interdisciplinary writing and research center that aims to support UW students, staff, and faculty on their diverse writing and research projects through one-to-one tutoring sessions, group tutoring sessions, workshops, and other programs. We serve nearly 5,000 students with over 8,000 one-to-one writing appointments each academic year. Our tutors are undergraduate and graduate students from a wide range of academic fields, and we provide a rich learning environment for writers and tutors alike.
OWRC Peer Tutor Job Description
Peer Tutors support writers’ ongoing writing and research development using a non-directive, conversational tutoring approach. While we seek candidates who have strong writing skills in their chosen academic fields, we are most interested in those candidates who demonstrate reflection, metacognition, and empathetic listening. Tutoring is an intellectually and emotionally demanding position that requires high levels of initiative, responsibility, and critical thinking. Tutors will be chosen based on their ability to enact our question-focused, non-directive tutoring philosophy as well as their oral communication skills. For tutors’ own words on their role, click here.
“Nearly everyone who writes likes — and needs — to talk about his or her own writing, preferably to someone who will really listen, who knows how to listen, and knows how to talk about writing too” –Stephen North
In addition to the position of general writing tutor at the main site, we are also hiring for these positions, which require additional application materials. For more information, click here.
- Education writing tutor (Miller Hall site)
- STEM writing tutor (Health Sciences Library site)
- English language support tutor (main site)
Diversity Statement
Odegaard Writing and Research Center serves students with a wide range of abilities and social, economic, cultural, ideological, racial, ethnic, gender, and linguistic identities. We value and honor diverse experiences and perspectives, strive to create welcoming and respectful learning environments, and promote access, opportunity, and justice for all. We seek tutors who demonstrate an appreciation for, a sensitivity to, and respect for writers from all backgrounds. We strive to help all writers express their authentic voice and purpose in writing while achieving their academic goals.
Responsibilities
- Participate fully in all preliminary and ongoing training sessions to develop theoretical and practical understanding of the OWRC’s mission and best tutoring practices. Please note: New tutors must be available for orientation September 20, 22, and 23 (times TBA) and weekly training on Fridays from 3:30-5 pm for the duration of Autumn quarter.
- Maintain a consistent weekly schedule for tutoring, arriving punctually and finding a substitute tutor for any shifts that must be missed.
- Hold writer-focused, 45-minute one-to-one and group tutoring sessions.
- Adopt our OWRC non-directive, conversation-based tutoring philosophy.
- Electronically document the work of each tutoring session or other OWRC activity.
- Participate in regular observation, monthly staff meetings, professional development, and required reflective writing led by OWRC professional staff and peer mentors.
- Collaborate on project-based work with teams of OWRC leadership and other peer tutors, Odegaard Undergraduate Library staff, and other UW faculty and staff to improve internal programs and to enhance the teaching and learning of writing and research across the University.
Requirements & Qualifications
- Enrollment, part or full-time (at least 6 credits for undergraduates), at the University of Washington during each quarter of employment, except summer quarter.
- Previous tutoring, coaching, or mentoring experience, especially with diverse populations.
- Excellent interpersonal communication skills, including genuine commitment to the interests and goals of fellow learners.
- Ability to work with others to help them identify their strengths and difficulties as writers and researchers, prioritize their concerns, and successfully navigate complex strategies for working through those concerns.
- Experience working with diverse or underrepresented students to support them in navigating institutional systems and achieving their articulated goals.
- Demonstrated growth and/or academic success in chosen field of study.
- Familiarity with useful research and writing skills and the academic strategies associated with different fields.
Preferred Qualifications
- “Growth” or resilience mindset.
- Experience with peer mentoring or leadership.
- Ability to be reflective and metacognitive about tutoring practices.
- Interest in and readiness for larger ongoing projects of the Writing and Research Center, including task group projects, workshops, and research into and scholarly articulation of writing center practices and programs. Such skills might include, but are not limited to: project management, event planning, HTML coding, web design, social media and marketing, database skills, familiarity with different research methods, etc.
Learning Competencies
The OWRC provides student employees with a meaningful work experience. Some intended learning competencies that will be developed in the Peer Tutor role include
- Building and fostering collaborative relationships in a diverse workplace
- Strengthening oral and written communication skills
- Increased capacity for self-reflection and metacognition
- Development of a broad range of learning, teaching, and writing strategies
- Time management and the ability to plan, organize, and prioritize work
Supervision
This position will report to the Director of the OWRC.
Job Hours
Undergraduate tutors must be available for a minimum of 10.5 hours per week for Peer Tutoring, including required training, staff meetings, and professional development. Graduate tutors must be available for a minimum of 7.5 hour per week for Peer Tutoring, including required training, staff meetings, and professional development. Tutors work a regular weekly schedule of one-to-one and group tutoring sessions, with shifts of no more than 4.5 hours per day for a total of 7.5 or 10.5 to 19.5 hours per week, based on terms of employment and employee availability. Work hours vary based on tutoring schedule; some evening and weekend hours are required. Schedules are based upon workload, class schedule, and other academic responsibilities. Ideal candidates can give at least one academic year commitment.
Pay Rates for Academic Year 2020-2021
Undergraduate tutors are paid $16.39/hour; graduate tutors are paid $17.34/hour.
For full job description and for information on how to apply, click here.
