The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.
Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.
Job End Date
March 31, 2028
This is a full-time, term position with an anticipated end date of March 31, 2028.
At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.
Position Function
Located in the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, the Centre for Writing and Scholarly Communication (CWSC) supports a diverse community of writers at UBC —across levels of proficiency and writing contexts, including academic, professional, technical, and creative.
The Academic Writing Specialist, reporting to the Senior Program Manager, assists with the development, coordination, implementation, and evaluation of CWSC programs. The Academic Writing Specialist is responsible for the development, design, and delivery of writing- focused workshops and contributes to program planning for undergraduate students designed to support a culture of learning in the CWSC and across campus.
A key responsibility of this position is building and maintaining relationships with academic departments and campus partners to promote CWSC offerings, tailor programming to disciplinary needs, and expand the Centre’s reach across the university. The Academic Writing Specialist values writing as both a form of communication and a learning tool and embraces the diverse forms writing takes across disciplines.
Organizational Status
As a member of the CWSC staff team, the Academic Writing Specialist works under general direction from the CWSC Senior Program Manager and receives strategic and operational guidance from the Assistant Director, Irving K. Barber Learning Centre. The pos
ition works closely with the CWSC Senior Program Assistant.
Work Performed
1. Independently researches, develops, and delivers evidence-based writing workshops and retreats (hybrid and in-person), including scheduling, instructional material development, and assessment to ensure workshops are effective and up to date with current best practices.
2. Leads outreach and promotion of CWSC programming through consultation and collaboration with academic departments, faculty members, and campus units to ensure offerings are relevant, visible, and accessible.
3. Assist the Senior Program Manager in overseeing the writing consultant team and writing consultation service, including contributing to hiring, training, and mentoring of writing consultants, in line with writing centre pedagogical best practices.
4. Coordinates program-level evaluation to assess the impact and effectiveness of CWSC services; recommends improvements based on feedback and research.
5. Maintains and updates CWSC web content in alignment with writing centre pedagogy; ensures workshop and service information is current and engaging; writes and disseminates content for CWSC communications, including the monthly newsletter.
6. Identifies funding opportunities and assists with grant proposals / applications and project partnerships.
7. Responds to complex inquiries from faculty, students, and other campus partners about CWSC programming; provides advice on and coordinates education resources and services for same, as required.
8. Responsible for the hiring, training, and evaluation of CWSC student staff.
9. Researches other institutions to identify best practices in writing centre pedagogy and its applications to recommend program improvement and expansion. Stay current with scholarship in writing pedagogy, including writing in the disciplines, rhetorical genre theory, and English for specific purposes, to inform program design.
10. Other duties as required.
Supervision Received
Works under the direction of the CWSC Senior Program Manager. Work is reviewed for appropriateness and conformance to established standards. Works under minimum supervision and performs most duties independently; exercising independent judgement in interpreting information and decision making. Regularly resolves complex problems, including for other staff.
Supervision Given
Under the direction of the Senior Program Manager, supervises student staff, as these functions pertain to the coordination and delivery of CWSC services. In the absence of the Senior Program Manager, collaborates with Sr. Program Assistant to oversee student staff and day-to-day operations. With the Senior Program Manager, participates in hiring, training, and evaluation of student staff.
Consequence of Error/Judgement
Errors in judgment may cause serious results and identifiable deterioration to faculty and student relations; reduce services; cause embarrassment; increase event and program costs; and negatively impact the CWSC's reputation and accountability with campus partners and organizations.
Qualifications
- Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own
- Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion
Minimum Qualifications
Master’s degree in a relevant discipline (writing studies; rhetorical genre studies; writing in the disciplines; language & literacy education).
Minimum four years of experience or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience in workshop/course development and facilitation in a post-secondary setting.
Preferred Qualifications
Doctoral degree in a relevant field preferred. Knowledge of writing in the disciplines pedagogy, rhetorical genre theory, and practical applications of these approaches to academic, technical, and professional writing.
Effective spoken and written communication, interpersonal, public service, and organizational skills.
Familiarity with campus outreach and partnership development.
Ability to deal with a diversity of people in a calm, courteous, and effective manner. Ability to prioritize and work effectively under pressure to meet deadlines.
Ability to compose correspondence, reports, presentations, and other written materials using clear, concise business English.
Ability to exercise tact and discretion. Ability to recognize, respect, and work effectively with individuals and groups with diverse perspectives and backgrounds.
Proficiency with digital tools, including MS Office, web content management systems (e.g., WordPress), and communication platforms. Ability to maintain accuracy and attention to detail.