Instructional Assistant, Writing Center Laboratory

Allan Hancock College; Santa Maria (CA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Allan Hancock College is seeking an instructional assistant to support the Writing Center by planning, scheduling, and coordinating the lab operations. You will design materials, tutor students, and collaborate with instructors to enhance writing instruction across courses.

The role requires strong English skills, the ability to work with diverse learners, manage resources, and maintain LMS content and lab records. Full-time, 37 hours/week, 12 months, with duties described above.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in English or related field or equivalent.
• Ability to tutor and instruct remedial or multilingual students.
• Ability to collaborate with faculty and staff on projects.

Responsibilities

• Assist with planning, scheduling, operation and coordination of the Writing Center lab.
• Tutor and review practice worksheets and assignments.
• Coordinate learning materials and time with instructors.
• Monitor budget and create purchase requests for equipment and supplies.
• Develop LMS materials and ADA-compliant videos and other instructional content.
• Maintain the Writing Center website and monitor chat box.

Skills

Correct English usage

Basic arithmetic

Writing as a process

Computer assisted writing

Tutorial techniques

Filing and business correspondence

Education

Bachelor's degree in English or related field

Job description

DEFINITION

Under supervision of appropriate dean, academic affairs, this position will assist with the planning, scheduling, operation, and coordination of a learning laboratory. Values and promotes the mission and vision of the college.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

The instructional assistant, under minimal supervision, is expected to assist with the operation of a department’s laboratory which provides supplemental instruction to students taking writing and remedial classes and writing across the curriculum. The incumbent is required to perform at a skilled level with a considerable degree of independence. The incumbent is expected to work with individual instructors to design, develop, and order learning materials. The instructional assistant receives direction and technical oversight from the department which operates the laboratory.

1. Assists department instructors in the design and development of laboratory materials and in understanding lab policies and procedures.
2. Tutors, assigns and reviews practice worksheets and/or assignments.
3. Coordinates learning materials and time with instructors.
4. Oversees student workers and coordinates work of staff in lower classifications and maintains schedule for faculty assigned to work in the lab.
5. Tutors and assists students on an individual basis.
6. Monitor budget and create purchase requests for all equipment and supplies for the laboratory.
7. Provides instructors with information relative to student attendance and achievement in the laboratory.
8. Coordinates and instructs in the use of computers.
9. Updates, maintains and stores laboratory records as required.
10. Reports to the department for program modification approval.
11. Develops and creates instructional worksheets, tutorials, and orientations for Learning Management System (LMS) that includes recording, narrating, editing, and publishing ADA compliant materials and videos.
12. Attends departmental meetings, staff meetings, workshops, and presentations as required.
13. Develops posters, handouts, and other promotional materials including material for social media, website, and digital display regarding the Writing Center and its services.
14. Maintains and updates information and content for the Writing Center website.
15. Monitors the Writing Center chat box.
16. Maintains in-person and online faculty tutor access including the management, monitoring, and trouble-shooting of appointments.
17. Coordinates and monitors online paper submission system.
18. Creates online quizzes and forms to capture asynchronous online data.
19. Serves as general receptionist to the laboratory.
20. Conducts orientations.
21. Prepare, deliver, and tally student surveys and end of semester data for the laboratory.
22. Assist coordinator in planning and organizing professional development workshops for faculty.
23. Plan and facilitate special programming, including diverse cultural events.
24. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• Correct English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation;
• Basic arithmetic;
• Writing as a process;
• Computer assisted writing;
• Tutorial techniques for students with diverse backgrounds;
• Filing and business correspondence.

Demonstrated ability to:

• Perform at a college graduate level in the assigned academic field;
• Tutor students effectively on correct English usage, spelling grammar and punctuation;
• Instruct remedial or multilingual students on a group and individual basis;
• Collaborate effectively with faculty and staff to ensure completion of all projects;
• Learn laboratory and department operations, procedures and practices;
• Learn, interpret, and apply department and district procedures and policies relating to the laboratory with sound judgment;
• Analyze situations accurately and make sound judgments on laboratory matters without immediate supervision;
• Understand and carry out oral and written instructions.

Working Conditions:

• Duties are primarily performed in an office environment.
• The incumbent will experience interruptions while performing normal duties during the regular workday.

Physical Demands:

• Typically may sit for extended periods of time.
• Operates a computer keyboard
• Communicates over the telephone, in person, or electronically.
• Regularly lifts, carries and/or moves objects weighing up to10 pounds.

Special Qualification:

Evidence of a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds of staff and students and to staff and students with disabilities.

Education:

Equivalent to a bachelor of arts degree in English or a closely related field, including or supplemented by completion of English classes at or above the level of instruction in the laboratory. The desired start date is January 2027. This is a full-time, 37-hour, classified, 12-month position.

Work Schedule:

Monday - Thursday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., and Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Allan Hancock College provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Allan Hancock College will not sponsor any visa applications.