Technical Writing Director jobs in Indianapolis, IN

TITLE: Writing Center Specialist

WHO WE ARE:

Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) is a student-focused, innovative educational organization committed to academic excellence. Our mission is to empower and educate all students to think critically, creatively, and responsibly, to embrace diversity, and to pursue their dreams with a purpose. We are a family of excellent public schools in which every student has the opportunity to succeed and the power to create their own future.

Led by forward-thinking leadership and our commitment to prioritizing students, racial equity, and authentic engagement with our families, team members, and communities, our staff have diverse opportunities to develop their careers in a challenging but rewarding environment. We are an organization for people who are passionate about education and who are committed to the Indianapolis community.

SUMMARY OF OPPORTUNITY:

The Writing Center Specialist will provide strategic development and implementation of IPS’s school-based writing centers. The Writing Center Specialist will plan and carry out activities within the high school-based Writing Center through collaborative relationships with other staff and departments and with community and university partners and tutors. This is a 10 month certified position which reports to the Writing Center Coordinator.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

The following outlines what your core duties and responsibilities will be for this position and provides a sample overview of what your day-to-day may look like.

Core Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides students the opportunity to improve their writing skills by overseeing the development and delivery of effective tutoring programs, increasing the awareness of the service and benefits of writing support, evaluating the effectiveness of the writing support efforts, and improving student confidence in their voice and authority, in service of opening doors in educational, professional, and creative opportunities.
• Assures effective writing support for students by selecting, training, scheduling, and volunteers, planning and implementing training and professional development opportunities for volunteers, reviewing and selecting tutoring materials, expanding the selection of writing resources available online to students, based on curriculum-specific assignments and supports.
• Increases the reach of the Writing Center by working with university sponsors, community partners, and other IPS specialists to share best practices and create an equitable network to serve all students in the district and to help sustain the initiative into the future.
• Assists in academic year scheduling of walk-in hours, standing appointments, workshops, and classroom utilization for the writing center; ensures access to students by scheduling, announcing, and maintaining regular office hours.
• Coordinates volunteer writing tutors and ensures volunteers have passed required background checks through HR and have required training.
• Works closely with teachers, support staff, building administration, and district administration.
• Manages data collection for writing appointments.
• Contributes to a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and development of skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds.
• Maintains a positive, energetic, solution driven demeanor in all interactions with students, staff, and families.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

“Day In the Life” Overview

On a regular day, as the Writing Center Specialist, you might:

• Work with students to refine their writing skills for high school and postsecondary success
• Work with community partners to develop long-lasting relationships and programs
• Work with high school leaders and teachers to plan curricular supports
• Collaborate with the Future Center staff to support students’ preparedness for their three E’s
• Provide updates and information to schools and families to ensure access to and use of the writing centers
• Ensure all writing center appointments are successfully completed by facilitating connections between students and volunteer tutors

WHAT YOU’ll BRING: SKILLS AND MINDSETS

As an ideal candidate for this role, you will be able to achieve the following:

• Excellent communication skills and strong analytical and writing capabilities
• Clear written and verbal communication with a diverse staff community
• Rapport with students, families, staff, and community members through strong relationship building
• Knowledge of university-style writing center best practices
• Effective analysis of data to drive decision making
• Close attention to detail coupled with the ability to exercise good judgment
• Proactive, able to anticipate conflicts before they arise
• Ability to work well independently as well as collaboratively
• Ability to execute meetings, calls and emails with professionalism, courtesy and accuracy
• Ability to effectively allocate and prioritize time to several tasks to ensure completion

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS

• Masters Degree or Master of Fine Arts in writing, English, or a related field; Must hold or be in position to obtain valid Indiana State Teacher's License in Secondary ELA. Should have experience as a teacher or tutor at the high school or college level. Other mentorship or volunteer experiences applicable.

FLSA CLASSIFICATION:

Exempt.

ELIGIBILITY FOR REMOTE WORK:

No.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The physical requirements described here 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 individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand and walk. The employee is occasionally required to sit; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

EEOC STATEMENT:

Indianapolis Public Schools, in accordance with its nondiscrimination policies, will not discriminate in its programs, facilities, or employment or educational opportunities on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, sex, age, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, veteran or military status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, familial status, domestic violence victim status, homelessness or any other legally recognized protected basis under federal, state or local laws, regulations, or ordinances. Indianapolis Public Schools does not tolerate any form of retaliation or bias-based intimidation, threat, or harassment that demeans individuals’ dignity or interferes with their ability to learn or work.

DISCLAIMER:

Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the above representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This job description is illustrative only, and is not a comprehensive list of all essential functions and duties performed by the occupant of this position. Factors such as regular and punctual attendance are not routinely listed in job descriptions, but are an essential function.