ADMINISTRATIVE FACULTY JOB DESCRIPTION
APPROVED POSITION INFORMATION
(to be completed by HR)
Effective: July 1, 2015
Title
Director, University Writing Center
Essential Function: Light Work
Range
JCC
3
67694
Description: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently,
and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. Light work requires walking or standing
to a significant degree and pushing and/or pulling.
1. Summary Statement: State the major function(s) of the position, the role in the
university, and the supervisor’s title.* (This section is used for advertisement of the
position.)
The Director, University Writing Center is responsible for the administration and oversight of
Center operations, financial and human resource management, and center activities. The
Director is accountable for meeting performance measures and making necessary adjustments
to meet strategic and operational objectives. The Director manages all aspects of the Writing
Center to ensure effective writing supports to undergraduate and graduate students, supporting
faculty with writing support both in their classrooms through presentations and workshops and
through consultations at the Writing Center. This position provides outreach to the local school
district and community as it relates to the types of writing supports provided by the University
Writing Center.
* Attach an organizational chart with positions, ranges, and names for the division.
2. List the major responsibilities, including percentage of time devoted to each. Provide
enough detail to enable a person outside the department to understand the job
(percentage first with heading and then bulleted information). If line of progression,
define for each range as above.
65% - Center Administration
 Manage operations of the University Writing Center, which serves the following groups
of students: undergraduate students, graduate students, international students
 Oversee recruitment, training, mentoring, and performance of Writing Center student
and professional writing consultants
 Serve as a writing consultant with an emphasis on professional writing support and
backup consulting during peak demand periods when regular staff are fully scheduled
 Supervise and evaluate effectiveness of professional and State classified staff and
student employees
 Oversee budget and make budget decisions regarding operating expenses
 Oversee assessment of the University Writing Center to determine that its mission and
goals are being achieved
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Director, University Writing Center



Assess effectiveness of writing center strategies, training, mentoring, workshops,
etc.
Provide opportunities for collaborative research regarding writing support,
including initiating research projects from within the Writing Center
Provide an annual report to the Student Fee Governing Board that explains
usage, assessments, and goals. Prepare other reports regarding Writing Center
performance and activities for the Vice Provost upon request.
20% - University Writing Center Coordination and Outreach
 Annually teach a course, with the approval of English, for training writing consultants:
ENG 408B/608B Tutoring Student Writers
 Work with ASUN regarding aligning services of the Writing Center with the expectations
and needs of undergraduate students
 Work with the GSA regarding aligning services of the Writing Center with the
expectations and needs of graduate students
 Work with instructors to provide writing consultants for in-class presentations and
workshops
 Oversee development and facilitation of customized classroom workshops for instructors
 Collaborate with Washoe County School District to support writing center work and
writing support for students
 Collaborate with local library systems and other community groups to provide writing
support and establish positive relationships with the University Writing Center
 Core Board participation as requested by the Provost’s Office
 Participation on NSHE, Complete College America, and other initiatives related to writing
as requested by the Vice Provost
 Maintain knowledge of national research and best practices in writing education and
effectiveness of related support services.
15% - University Writing Initiative Projects
 Collaborate with Core Writing Program, Core Curriculum office, CCID/WID program,
Northern Nevada Writing Project, English Department to contribute to the University
Writing Initiative efforts, which may include research, mentoring GTAs, providing training
and supervision to Term Lecturers
 Provide assessment and reporting to contribute to the assessment of the University
Writing Initiative programs
3. Describe the types of decisions the position(s) makes independently as part of the core
responsibilities. Provide examples. If a line of progression, describe the decisions made
at the highest level.
The Director oversees the personnel, finances, assessment and research, and university and
community outreach of the University Writing Center. The Director must effectively recruit, hire,
train, and mentor all of our Writing Center staff. The Director must make budgetary decisions
including funds allocated for wages and other expenses for the Writing Center; a report to the
Student Fee Governing Board is presented each year for the student fee portion of the Writing
Center budget. The Director identifies assessment and research opportunities within the Writing
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Director, University Writing Center
Center and in collaboration with other University programs as well as community organizations.
The Director provides university and community outreach regarding the Writing Center,
including collaborating with local school district teachers and administrators to support writing.
Incumbent must work independently, creatively, and efficiently with little direct supervision and
with considerable latitude for initiative and independent judgment.
4. Describe the types of problems, issues, action, communications this position typically
takes to the supervisor for resolution and/or consultation. Provide examples. If a line of
progression, describe the supervisory consultation at the highest level.
Actions that require additional financial support, beyond what has been budgeted for that fiscal
period, advocating for additional space allocations as the Writing Center grows, and certain
assessment or research may require the supervisor’s support and/or consultation.
5. Select the applicable competencies required to successfully perform the job. The
selected competencies will be evaluated within the Administrative Faculty evaluation as
Competencies for Success.
Competency
Required
Adaptability
☒
Analytical Thinking
☒
Communication
☒
Diversity and Inclusion
☒
Financial Responsibilities
☒
Human Resource Responsibilities
☒
Leadership
☒
Program/Project/Functional Knowledge
☒
Resource Responsibilities
☒
Serving Constituents
☒
Teamwork
☒
Other (specify)
☐
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Director, University Writing Center
6. Minimum requirements of the position. Minimum requirements should be consistent
with the Job Evaluation Model. If Line of Progression, minimum requirements must be
defined for each range.
Education
Experience
Master’s Degree
Two years of related work experience
Doctorate Degree
One year of related work experience
Relevant Experience: teaching undergraduate composition, writing in discipline,
technical writing courses; or a professional role within an academic writing
center; or professional writing/editorial experience
Certification and Licensure:
Schedule or Travel Requirements:
 Local, national and international travel
 Variable work schedule
Optional Addendum: Describe the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to successful
performance of this job (in bullet format).
Knowledge of:
 Composition and rhetoric expertise, including current theories and pedagogical influences
 Writing in the Disciplines and Writing Across the Curriculum
 University undergraduate and graduate curriculum; University courses that include writing
components
 University Strategic Plan and University mission
 Tutoring best practices
 Student fee structures
 Program budgeting and assessment
Skills:
 Coordination of multiple complex activities
 Excellent verbal and written communication
 Detail oriented
 Proficiency in current software applications including but not limited to Microsoft
Ability to:
 Interact and work effectively with faculty, both one-on-one and in groups
 Communicate easily and well with a variety of audiences
 Understand the objectives and processes used by faculty in academic programs as they
relate to writing support
 Research and compile data for reports
 Work in sensitive, confidential, and interpersonal situations
 Understand and interpret formalized policies, goals, guidelines, rules, and regulations
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