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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Writing Program Technician

💰 $40,000 - $60,000

EducationAdministrationWritingProgram Support

🎯 Role Definition

The Writing Program Technician provides operational and instructional support for institutional writing initiatives, writing centers, and composition programs. This hybrid administrative-educational role combines program coordination, data tracking, materials development, tutor supervision, and front-line student support. The Writing Program Technician ensures consistent delivery of writing services by maintaining schedules and databases, supporting assessment and curriculum implementation, producing outreach materials, troubleshooting technical systems (LMS/CMS), and collaborating with faculty and staff to improve student outcomes. Ideal candidates are organized communicators with demonstrable experience in writing support, customer service, and educational technology.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Student Writing Tutor or Peer Tutor
  • Administrative Assistant or Office Coordinator (Academic department)
  • Program Support Specialist / Instructional Support Assistant

Advancement To:

  • Writing Program Coordinator / Writing Center Coordinator
  • Academic Program Manager (Composition/Rhetoric)
  • Curriculum or Assessment Specialist for Writing Programs

Lateral Moves:

  • Student Success or Academic Advising Specialist
  • Instructional Designer or LMS Coordinator
  • Communications or Marketing Specialist (Academic units)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Coordinate daily operations of the writing program or writing center, including front-desk coverage, appointment scheduling, room reservations, keys and space logistics, and coordination of drop-in services to ensure smooth, student-centered service delivery.
  • Recruit, hire, onboard, and supervise undergraduate and graduate peer tutors or consultants; develop schedules, conduct regular training, observe sessions, provide feedback, and maintain personnel records and timesheets in accordance with institutional policies.
  • Develop, maintain, and update program documentation such as tutor handbooks, training manuals, assessment rubrics, standard operating procedures, and onboarding checklists to ensure continuity and consistent pedagogical practice.
  • Manage appointment and attendance systems (e.g., TutorTrac, WCOnline, or institutional scheduling software), troubleshoot user issues, generate usage reports, and implement process improvements to optimize appointment workflows and capacity.
  • Create, edit, and proofread instructional materials, handouts, workshop curricula, syllabi supplements, and web content to support faculty and student needs while maintaining consistent writing center voice and accessibility standards.
  • Serve as primary administrator for learning-management-system integrations and course shells (Canvas, Blackboard, Moodle), creating content modules, embedding resources, and troubleshooting student/faculty access issues related to writing program courses.
  • Collect, analyze, and report quantitative and qualitative assessment data (usage statistics, student surveys, writing sample assessments) to measure impact, support accreditation, and inform program development and grant applications.
  • Coordinate and promote writing workshops, outreach events, faculty development sessions, and community partnerships; manage event logistics, registration, materials, and on-site support to maximize participation and program visibility.
  • Maintain and update program websites and social media channels (WordPress, Drupal, Instagram, Twitter), write SEO-focused content, and track engagement metrics to increase awareness and utilization of writing services.
  • Support faculty liaisons by facilitating classroom visits, creating supplemental materials for composition courses, assisting with placement processes, and advising on best practices for integrating writing support into curricula.
  • Administer budgets for supplies, publications, and programming; process purchase orders, reconcile expenditures, solicit quotes, and maintain financial records under direction of program leadership.
  • Oversee inventory and technology resources (computers, printers, cameras, audiovisual equipment); coordinate repairs, software licensing, and procurement to keep services functional and secure.
  • Provide front-line consultations when appropriate—helping students with writing, citation, grammar, structure, and revision strategies—or triage referrals to specialist tutors while documenting outcomes and follow-up actions.
  • Maintain confidential student records and comply with FERPA, privacy, and institutional policy requirements when collecting and storing data, preparing progress reports, or communicating with faculty and staff.
  • Assist with grant writing, reporting, and compliance tasks by compiling program statistics, proofreading proposals, preparing narrative descriptions of services, and coordinating supporting documentation.
  • Implement accessibility and equity practices across program offerings by ensuring materials meet accessibility guidelines, coordinating accommodations for students with disabilities, and training staff on inclusive tutoring practices.
  • Design and deliver tutor-training modules on topics such as rhetorical approaches, ESL support, basic digital literacy, anti-racist pedagogy, and working with students at different levels of writing proficiency.
  • Coordinate special projects such as program expansions, pilot initiatives (e.g., virtual tutoring, multilingual services), and cross-departmental collaborations, including timeline management, stakeholder communication, and post-implementation evaluation.
  • Produce periodic impact reports, newsletters, and presentations for department chairs, deans, or external funders that synthesize usage data, learning outcomes, assessment findings, and success stories to support strategic decisions.
  • Troubleshoot technical problems related to document formats, citation managers (Zotero, EndNote), collaborative writing platforms (Google Docs, Office 365), and instructor-provided tools; provide step-by-step guidance or escalate to IT as needed.
  • Manage hiring paperwork, payroll submissions, timesheet approvals, and student employment records; ensure compliance with institutional HR processes and deadlines for the writing program staff.
  • Maintain a resource library of print and digital references (style guides, handbooks, grammar references) and coordinate circulation, updates, and licensing to support staff and student learning.
  • Foster positive relationships with campus partners (library, disability services, student affairs, academic departments) to align services, share data, co-sponsor events, and create referral pathways that improve student retention and success.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis.
  • Contribute to the organization's data strategy and roadmap.
  • Collaborate with business units to translate data needs into engineering requirements.
  • Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies within the data engineering team.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Advanced written communication, editing, and proofreading skills with demonstrated ability to draft clear, SEO-aware web copy, brochures, and workshop materials.
  • Experience administering appointment and tutor management systems (e.g., TutorTrac, WCOnline, Accudemia) and exporting/cleaning usage data for reporting.
  • Proficiency with learning management systems (Canvas, Blackboard, Moodle) and content management systems (WordPress, Drupal) for course and website maintenance.
  • Strong spreadsheet and data-handling skills (Excel, Google Sheets) including pivot tables, basic formulas, and experience preparing charts and summaries for stakeholders.
  • Familiarity with student information systems and HR processes (Banner, PeopleSoft, Workday) for scheduling, payroll, and recordkeeping.
  • Basic experience with assessment tools and survey platforms (Qualtrics, Google Forms) and the ability to translate assessment results into actionable recommendations.
  • Solid command of collaborative document and productivity suites (Google Workspace, Microsoft 365) and experience managing shared calendars, drives, and version control.
  • Working knowledge of accessibility standards and tools (WCAG principles, alt text, accessible PDFs) to ensure inclusive materials and web content.
  • Practical troubleshooting experience with common writing and citation tools (Google Docs, Office, Zotero, EndNote) and ability to instruct students or escalate technical issues appropriately.
  • Event and project management skills, including experience using task tracking tools (Asana, Trello) and coordinating logistics for multi-stakeholder events.

Soft Skills

  • Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to build rapport with students, faculty, staff, and external partners in a customer-service-oriented environment.
  • Strong organizational and time-management capabilities, balancing recurring program tasks with special projects and deadline-driven deliverables.
  • Coaching and training aptitude: able to mentor peer tutors, deliver professional development, and give constructive feedback focused on growth.
  • Problem-solving mindset with attention to detail and a commitment to continuous improvement and evidence-based decision-making.
  • Cultural competency and commitment to equity: experience working with diverse student populations, including multilingual and first-generation college students.
  • Clear, professional oral communication for front-desk interactions, presentations, and liaison work with academic departments.
  • Flexibility and adaptability in a dynamic academic environment, including willingness to work occasional evenings for events or peak service hours.
  • Confidentiality and ethical judgment when handling student records, sensitive feedback, or personnel matters.
  • Initiative and autonomy: able to prioritize tasks independently while escalating appropriately and documenting decisions.
  • Collaborative team player who contributes to positive staff culture, shares resources, and participates in program planning.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or equivalent; associate degree preferred.

Preferred Education:

  • Bachelor’s degree in English, Rhetoric & Composition, Linguistics, Education, Communications, or a related field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • English, Composition, Rhetoric
  • Education, Curriculum & Instruction
  • Linguistics, TESOL/ESL
  • Communications, Technical Writing
  • Educational Technology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 1–4 years of relevant professional experience in writing support, tutoring programs, academic administration, or instructional support.

Preferred:

  • 2–5 years in a college/university writing center or academic support program, with demonstrated experience in tutor supervision, LMS/CMS administration, and assessment reporting.

If you’d like, I can also generate a tailored job posting (short ad and long description) or an interview question set and scorecard for hiring a Writing Program Technician.

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