Lead Academic Tutor

Position Summary
The Lead Academic Tutor - Writing is part of a larger team of service providers in the Library that delivers welcoming, responsive, and proactive academic support services, both in person and virtually, to Red Deer Polytechnic students.

This position exists to help students improve their understanding of concepts and processes related to their academic course work by providing one-on-one and group tutorial support. Under the supervision of and in collaboration with the Academic Integrity Coordinator, this position specifically focuses on creating a consistent experience with writing skills, developing team processes and procedures and coordinates schedules.

Position Responsibilities

During meetings with students, assess their learning needs and structure a tutoring session accordingly using knowledge of writing and other writing resources, and tutoring methods. Tutoring may occur synchronously through individual appointments or drop-in time, in person or online, or asynchronously through email.

When assessing students' learning needs, follow up on problem areas identified that are additional to writing needs and refer to appropriate services.

Coordinate Service Standards in Writing Skills Tutoring

Provides overarching operational direction to all writing tutors

Collaborates with the Academic Integrity Coordinator to establish, document and communicate service standards and processes for Writing Skills tutors and provides job-specific and writing training

Participates in hiring of the Academic Tutors - Writing and Peer Writing Tutors, provides feedback and coaching and gives input to performance evaluations

Creates and coordinates schedules for the writing tutor team, following Collective Agreement provisions

Ensures accurate team schedules are posted on the LibGuide and Library Calendar.

Recommends staffing level changes to the Academic Integrity Coordinator in accordance with changing student needs.

Leads initiatives related to Writing Skills promotion on Campus.

Consults with the Academic Integrity Coordinator to address significant matters and provide solutions as needed.

Develop and Implement Academic Writing Workshops, Resources, and Writing Support Initiatives

Identifies, develops, and revises writing resources for Red Deer Polytechnic learners to be used in academic writing workshops and published on the Writing Skills Centre LibGuide.

Develops and facilitates on-campus and online writing skills workshops and presentations.

Collaborates with faculty and staff on an ongoing basis to identify changing learner needs and inform new or current initiatives.

Works in partnership with identified Divisional team members to promote and market writing workshops.

Facilitates booking system for writing support initiatives.

Compile and analyze Writing Skills Centre stats to look for trends and provide information for evidence-based decision making by Academic Integrity Coordinator.

Social Media Support

Create content and post on Library Social Media accounts related to Writing Skills activities and General Academic Support activities in the Tutoring Centre.

Act as back-up for Virtual Student Experience Coordinator for all Library, Makerspace, and Academic Support social media content as required.

Continuous Growth and Acquisition of New Skills
Contributes to individual and Divisional success so we are nimble and adapt to evolving technologies and trends and the changing needs of students and other library users by actively:

Participating in training and professional development activities as they become available.

Seeking learning opportunities from other staff (e.g. Peer mentoring) in the Division to increase knowledge of Division of Student Experience services and to provide initial support and triage to students, faculty, and staff.

Regularly familiarizing oneself with policy and procedures to meet user needs expediently and accurately without misdirection.

Required Qualifications

Four (4) year undergraduate degree, or three (3) year undergraduate degree plus one full additional year of university in a related program representing four years of study or equivalent, in B.Ed. or specific Bachelor's degree related to writing (Bachelor's Degree in English, for example)

3-5 years experience teaching/tutoring

Preferred Qualifications

Knowledge of research and writing resources and processes at a post-second