Graduate Writing Specialist, UMKC School of Graduate Studies

Hiring Department

UMKC's School of Graduate Studies and the Writing Studio

Job Description

The Graduate Writing Specialist will support the writing needs of the graduate students enrolled at UMKC, including on-campus and distance education students. The teacher-researcher-developer filling this position will utilize their excellent communication and collaboration skills to support UMKC’s graduate writing community by working directly with graduate students and faculty to oversee the Graduate Writing Initiative (GWI). In consultation with the Director of the Writing Studio and the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies, the Graduate Writing Specialist will implement the GWI’s mission, set assess-able goals, and create programming that works across campus to increase graduate student retention, research, attainment of externally funded grants, and timely degree completion. The Graduate Writing Specialist must have the ability to provide effective coaching throughout all phases of the writing process to help graduate students across all of UMKC’s disciplines to enhance their writing skills, particularly in terms of composing successful theses/dissertations, research fellowships, and grant applications to external funding agencies. The Graduate Writing Specialist will be expected to lead School of Graduate Studies initiatives to support graduate student professional development through the Writing Studio. The Graduate Writing Specialist further will participate in School of Graduate Studies and Writing Studio departmental meetings, continuing education programs, and occasional professional development events with writing center colleagues from the Greater Kansas City area.

Primary Responsibilities/Duties

• Develop and facilitate on-campus and online workshops and activities to support graduate students’ writing and professional development for theses/dissertations, research publications/presentations, grant proposals, and other projects related to their professional development, success, and timely degree completion
• Provide individual consultations for UMKC graduate students and graduate faculty to support graduate academic and professional success in key areas (e.g., course work, degree requirements, research fellowship applications, writing instruction, grant proposals, and professional publications/presentations)
• Support graduate students and postdocs as they plan and write research fellowship applications and external grant proposals by providing writing consultations and advising them on coherency, style, organization, and formatting.
• Identify, develop, revise, and maintain content for the Graduate Writing Resource webpage and graduate student Canvas site (e.g., writing guides, instructional videos, event schedules, and other GWI content)
• Promote graduate writing programming, resources, and services through presentations, email, social media, and other electronic communications
• Collaborate with the UMKC Writing Studio Director to hire, train, and supervise Graduate Assistants to support the work of the GWI
• Collaborate with the UMKC Writing Studio Director and School of Graduate Studies Dean to select, train, and supervise GWI Faculty Fellows to support the work of the GWI and develop resources and/or programing for graduate students
• Serve on the University Writing and Reading Board to support graduate writing across campus
• Participate in the research community related to writing pedagogy, writing program administration, and writing center studies through review of recently published research, conference attendance, and special interest groups
• Other duties as assigned
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

A Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience and at least 2 years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary

Preferred Qualifications

• MFA in Creative Writing or PhD in Humanities, Social Sciences, STEM discipline, or related field with an emphasis in writing or commensurate experience
• A minimum of two years’ related experience at a post-secondary institution
• Extensive experience working with college level students and faculty, preferably at the graduate level
• A minimum of two years' experience working with linguistically diverse writers.
• Excellent communication, writing, editing, and research skills
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as a member of a team
• Proficient with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.), video conferencing (Zoom, WebEx, etc.), and Google suite (or similar software).
• Grant writing experience
• Classroom/workshop experience teaching writing, research methodologies, grant proposal development, or other courses relevant to the position
  
  

Anticipated Hiring Range

$51,875 - $57,000 annually, commensurate with experience, education, and internal equity.

Application Materials

Required Application Materials For Consideration

• Resume and CV
• Cover Letter
• Writing Sample (Example: journal article, chapter essay, or seminar paper)
  
  

Application Deadline

Application review will begin on April 4, 2025. Applications will be accepted until this position is filled.

Community Information

Kansas City offers the best of both worlds—a vibrant, urban community with Midwestern appeal. The city’s rich history and its modern-day, innovative thinking come together to create an eclectic group of neighborhoods that offer a little something for everyone. From thriving arts districts, an energetic downtown nightlife, casual to upscale shopping and champion sports teams, you will have no problem making yourself at home. Of course, one of Kansas City’s biggest claims to fame is its food, especially its world-famous barbecue. Foodies will delight in the culinary scene found throughout the city. Ranging from award-winning chefs to cozy pizza joints, Kansas City definitely is not lacking any flavor.

UMKC’s campuses are conveniently nestled in the middle of all the action. Volker Campus is just minutes from the legendary Country Club Plaza, perfect for shopping or restaurants for lunch or after-work happy hours. Surrounded by hip neighborhoods and eateries, the Health Sciences Campus is located downtown near University Health Truman Medical Center and Children’s Mercy Hospital.

UMKC is proud to be “Kansas City’s university,” and the campus and its people celebrate all the characteristics of the surrounding community. To learn more about life in Kansas City and find more resources, visit VisitKC.com.

Benefit Eligibility

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parental leave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Office of Equity & Title IX at 816-235-6910.