Professional Writing Consultant: Judith Anderson Herbert Writing Center - UTK Jo

Professional Writing Consultant

The Professional Writing Consultant primarily assists graduate and undergraduate students in enhancing their written communication skills. During one-to-one appointments, the consultant uses a range of evidence-based pedagogical strategies to support students through the process of crafting coursework assignments, proposals, theses, dissertations, and application materials such as cover letters, CVs/resumes, and teaching philosophy statements. The consultant also plays a role in mentoring new undergraduate and graduate writing consultants by leading training meetings and collaborating with the Assistant Director/Writing Consultant Coordinator to develop educational materials and assess the progress of new consultants. In addition, the consultant designs and leads workshops, writing groups, and other events tailored to undergraduate and graduate students, focusing on specific genres, communication strategies, or tasks. They also develop web-based resources aimed at improving students' written communication skills.
Responsibilities

Provides Writing Consultations : Provides individual writing support to undergraduate and graduate students from various disciplines on campus. Offers one-on-one sessions to help students enhance their writing skills, confidence, and proficiency in academic and professional writing genres and tasks.
Assists with Writing Consultant Training : Leads weekly training sessions for new undergraduate and graduate writing consultants. Collaborates with the Assistant Director/Writing Consultant Coordinator to develop consultation materials, resources, and consulting strategies. Monitors new writing consultants' progress through regular feedback, observations, and evaluations, helping them adapt consulting strategies as needed for maximum effectiveness.
Leads Writing Workshops:

Develops and facilitates workshops, writing groups, and events focusing on specific genres, communication strategies, or writing tasks for both undergraduate and graduate writers.
Develops Writing Resources : Creates web-based resources to support writers in improving their written communication skills.
Collaborates with Staff : Works closely with the Judith Anderson Herbert Writing Center staff and other campus units to foster a collaborative approach to promoting student writing success.
Qualifications

Required Qualifications
Education : Bachelor's degree in English, Rhetoric, Composition, or related field
Experience : A minimum of two years of experience working in a writing center.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

Knowledge of writing center theory and practice
Knowledge of writing/composition pedagogies
Knowledge of writing in the disciplines/writing across the curriculum (WID/WAC) resources and pedagogies
Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Zoom
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Excellent interpersonal skills
Excellent organizational and time-management skills
Ability to adapt pedagogical approaches to work effectively with people from diverse academic backgrounds and with differing learning styles.
Ability to lead and inspire writing consultants and writers
Ability to foster a positive, collaborative, and accessible work environment.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without need now or in the future for sponsorship for employment-based visa status.
Preferred Qualifications
Education : Master's degree in English, Rhetoric, Composition, or related field
Experience :

Three or more years working in a writing center
Degree concentration in rhetoric/composition, writing studies, or writing center studies.
Experience teaching professional/technical communication; teaching basic writing or working with basic writers; teaching or working with multilingual writers
Experience working with writers in STEM fields and in the health professions
Experience with grant writing
Administrative experience in an academic setting

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

Knowledge of various types of presentation software and Canvas
Knowledge of various generative AI platforms (such as OpenAI and others)

Location: Knoxville, TN
Compensation and Benefits
UT market range: MR 08
Anticipated hiring range: $50,000-$55,000
Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
Find more information on UT Benefits here
Application Instructions
To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments:
Cover letter detailing experience and qualifications relevant to the position description and responsibilities
CV
To be assured of full consideration, completed applications with all requested materials should be submitted on or before September 8, 2026.