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JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

Position Overview:

The Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing at Penn State University is seeking a dedicated and experienced Writing Support Specialist to provide tailored writing assistance to our PhD and DNP students, faculty, and international scholars. The ideal candidate will possess strong academic writing skills, a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by nursing scholars, and the ability to offer specialized support in manuscript preparation and scholarly communication. Experience working with English as a Second Language (ESL) students is essential.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Individual Writing Consultations:

• Provide one-on-one writing support to PhD and DNP students, focusing on the development of academic writing skills, including thesis and dissertation writing and research papers.
• Offer tailored assistance to international and ESL students, addressing specific challenges related to writing in a second language and understanding cultural nuances in academic writing.

2. Workshops and Seminars:

• Organize and conduct workshops on essential academic writing skills such as literature reviews, academic argumentation, critical analysis, and APA formatting.
• Design and deliver writing seminars that address the unique needs of nursing scholars, with a focus on overcoming common barriers to writing.

3. Faculty Support:

• Assist faculty members with manuscript preparation and editing for publication, helping to enhance the quality and impact of their scholarly work.
• Provide specialized support in areas such as technical writing and the physical presentation of academic documents.

4. Group Writing Sessions and Community Building:

• Facilitate group writing sessions to foster collaboration among students and faculty, creating a supportive writing community within the college.
• Encourage peer-to-peer learning and mentoring through structured writing groups and collaborative projects.

5. Tailored Support for International and ESL Students:

• Offer specialized writing support to both new and existing international and ESL students, helping them navigate the complexities of writing in a second language and adapting to U.S. academic standards.
• Address common challenges such as word choice, syntax, and scientific writing, while also providing strategies to manage writing-related anxiety.

6. Collaboration with Existing Resources:

• Coordinate with the university’s Graduate Writing Center, the English Language Services at Penn State College of the Liberal Arts, and other academic support resources to enhance and complement existing services, ensuring comprehensive writing support for nursing students and faculty.

7. Assessment and Continuous Improvement:

• Regularly assess the writing support needs of students and faculty, adapting services to meet evolving demands.
• Stay current with best practices in academic writing instruction, particularly for ESL students, and integrate new strategies into the support provided.

Qualifications:

• Minimally requires a Bachelors’ degree and 1 year of related experience or the equivalent combination of education and experience. Master’s degree in nursing, Health Sciences, English, Writing, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), or a related field; a PhD is preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in academic writing support, preferably within a higher education or healthcare context.
• Strong knowledge of nursing and health sciences writing conventions, including manuscript preparation and APA formatting.
• Significant experience working with ESL students and scholars, with a deep understanding of the challenges related to writing in a second language.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with students, faculty, and staff.
• Proven ability to design and deliver effective writing workshops and seminars.
• Commitment to creating an inclusive and supportive learning environment for all students and faculty.

Application Process:

Interested candidates should upload a resume, cover letter, and a portfolio of relevant writing support with your online application. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Additional Information:

• This is a hybrid position that combines remote and regular on-campus work. Questions related to the hybrid work arrangement should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process.
• This is a limited-term appointment, funded for one year from the date of hire with an excellent possibility of re-funding.

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades is:

$42,100.00 – $61,000.00

Salary Structure – additional information on Penn State’s job and salary structure. 

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS:

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies. 

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.

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