Job description
The Writing Center is a component of the Undergraduate Writing Program in the Department of English and Comparative Literature. We hire undergraduates, graduate students, and professional writing consultants to provide support to thousands of Columbia undergraduates and graduate students while maintaining a thriving community of teachers, scholars, poets, fiction writers, playwrights, scientists, non-fiction writers: writers of all stripes.
Writing Center consultants help writers develop. Primarily they accomplish this by conducting individual consultations. In these sessions, consultants help writers improve any project from any discipline and at any stage of the writing process. This help is always offered with an eye toward the writer’s long-term growth.
In addition to individual sessions, consultants keep accurate records of consultations and participate in professional development activities such as orientation, observations, and twice-monthly staff meetings. Consultants may also engage in outreach efforts, such as conducting class visits and designing resources for writers.
The Writing Center is committed to advancing anti-racism and social justice. Because racism reproduces itself through language, the Writing Center is positioned to disrupt that reproduction. We seek consultants who are committed to supporting writers’ diverse languages, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, and identities.
Qualifications
Consultants should be skilled academic writers with a respect for and interest in others’ development and a sophisticated understanding of the writing process. Strong listening and communication skills are essential, as is an ability to take on the role of collaborator (instead of the roles of instructor or editor).
Consultants should be willing to work day, evening, and limited weekend hours, as well as actively participate in professional development activities. Previous experience consulting in writing centers, working with non-native English speakers, and working with writers are desirable.
Deadline
Applications for professional writing consultant appointments are due March 20 each year. Positions begin in the following fall. Please use this form to apply.
Undergraduate Peer Writing Fellows
Time Commitment
The peer writing fellow position is a TA III position that requires a 6-hour per week commitment in addition to twice-monthly meetings.
Compensation
TA IIIs earn $2,016 per semester, disbursed in twice-monthly checks.
Eligibility:
- Applicants must be enrolled as full-time undergraduates at Columbia (CC, SEAS, GS) during the academic year for which they are applying.
- Applicants must be able to attend an all-day workshop the Friday before the first day of classes, as well as all staff meetings, which take place on Fridays from 12:00 to 1:30.
- International students should confirm with the International Students and Scholars Office that they are eligible to work as a TA III.
- Hiring is contingent upon confirmation from CC/SEAS/GS that the applicant is in good standing.
- We encourage (but do not require) undergraduates to take the course, How Writers Think, which prepares students with composition studies scholarship.
To apply:
Applications are due March 20 each year. Positions begin in the following fall. Please use this form to upload the following materials in ONE pdf file.
A letter of application explaining your qualifications and your interest in the position. Please confirm in your letter that you would be able to attend the orientation and all staff meetings.
Your c.v.
An 8- to 25-page sample of academic writing.
If you have questions or would like additional information, please contact Writing Center Coordinator Jason Ueda at writingcenter@columbia.edu.
Graduate Student Consultants
Time Commitment:
Full-time GSAS master's and doctoral candidates may work as writing consultants. For teaching fellows (including TAs), the position requires a 5-hour per week commitment in addition to one's teaching responsibilities. For dissertation fellows, the position requires a 5 to 10-hour per week commitment and permission from one’s director of graduate studies. Per university policy, if students work elsewhere on campus, they may not exceed 20 total hours per week.
Compensation:
Graduate students earn $25.75/hour, disbursed in monthly checks.
Eligibility:
- Applicants must be full-time GSAS students, teaching fellows, or dissertation fellows who have department approval.
- If working elsewhere on campus, applicanants may not exceed 20 total hours per week.
- Applicants must be able to physically attend an all-day workshop the Friday before the first day of classes, as well as all staff meetings, which take place on Fridays from 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm.
To apply:
Applications are due March 20 each year. Positions begin in the following fall. Please use this form to upload the following materials in ONE pdf file.
- A letter of application explaining your qualifications and your interest in the position. Please confirm in your letter that you would be able to attend the orientation and all staff meetings.
- Your c.v.
If you have questions or would like additional information, please contact Writing Center Coordinator Jason Ueda at writingcenter@columbia.edu.
Associate / Professional Staff
Time Commitment:
The associate position requires a 15-hour per week commitment, which includes staff development and meetings.
Compensation:
Associates earn $18,000 for a fall/spring appointment, disbursed in twice-monthly checks.
Eligibility:
Applicants must have a master’s degree in hand from any field.
Previous writing center experience is strongly preferred.
Currently enrolled Columbia students (which includes Teachers College) and part-time employees are not eligible to apply.
Applicants must be able to attend an all-day workshop the Friday before the first day of classes, as well as all staff meetings, which take place on Fridays from 12:00 to 1:30.
To apply:
Please use this form to upload the following materials in ONE pdf file.
- A letter of application explaining your qualifications and your interest in the position. Please confirm in your letter that you would be able to attend the orientation and all staff meetings.
- Your c.v.
- An 8- to 25-page sample of academic writing.
If you have questions or would like additional information, please contact Writing Center Coordinator Jason Ueda at writingcenter@columbia.edu.