Writing Specialist

Department: Library Learning and Curriculum Support
This position is represented by the agreement between the Professional Staff Association and the University of Guelph

Temporary full-time from 06/08/2026 to 02/29/2028 
Temporary Absence of the Regular Incumbent

If you are a current employee of the University of Guelph you must apply on the internal Career Page in order to be considered as an internal applicant. 
Career Opportunities (sapsf.com) 

General Purpose

The Writing Specialist position reports to the manager of the Writing and Learning Services unit in the Library’s Learning and Curriculum Support team, which supports student learning, writing, and information literacy at the University of Guelph. With a deep knowledge of writing in a variety of disciplines, genres, and forms, the Writing Specialist guides writers in thinking and writing critically and in employing effective rhetorical strategies in specific contexts. Writing and Learning Services functions as a hub of support, community, and advocacy for students, staff, and faculty as they build skills in writing, communication, and other academic skills. Writing and Learning Services operates and staffs the university’s writing centre and provides leadership to the university community on issues related to the development of undergraduate and graduate students’ academic writing.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Providing individual writing consultations to undergraduate and graduate students
• Developing, teaching, and assessing online and face-to-face workshops and programs on a range of writing topics
• Co-supervising a team of student writing consultants. Duties may include recruitment, hiring, training and professional development, and regular oversight of student consultations.
• Supporting classroom instructors in developing writing instruction approaches for a variety of disciplines, courses, and assignments
• Researching and designing educational resources, such as videos and asynchronous modules
• Collaborating with library staff and campus partners on a range of learning and curriculum projects
• Acquiring and maintaining, through research and study of the literature, current knowledge of a range of issues and best practices related to university-level writing
• Integrating writing skills into course curricula in consideration of multilingual writers, effective and engaging pedagogical practices, assessment of writing, and a range of other relevant writing issues
• Contributing to the unit’s expertise on student writing by participating in the unit’s program of research, assessment and evaluation, and dissemination of results

Requirements

• Minimum of a Master’s degree and two (2) years’ related practical experience teaching writing and assessing written work at the postsecondary level, or the equivalent combination of education and experience
• Expertise in delivering individual writing consultation strategies and knowledge of a variety of disciplines and genres, including experience supporting graduate student writers with academic papers, theses, and dissertations
• Excellent teaching, presenting, and writing skills in a variety of contexts, such as online, in workshops and presentations, as part of short courses, etc.
• A demonstrated commitment to supporting IDEA (inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility) practices within a postsecondary environment
• Knowledge of best practices in teaching writing and incorporating writing into curricula
• Strong interpersonal and oral and written communication skills
• Ability to work collaboratively and supportively within a team
• Strong organizational skills and ability to take a self-directed approach to responsibilities
• High level of computer literacy, including proficiency with Microsoft Office and other educational technologies

Preferred qualifications:

• Demonstrated understanding of the impact of Generative AI on supporting postsecondary academic writing development
• Demonstrated initiative and commitment to supporting undergraduate students’ academic writing development
• Experience in supporting science writers or a background in science writing
• Experience working with faculty to support student success
• Experience supervising students in a postsecondary environment

Employee Type: Temporary 
Position Number: 10926041 
Classification: P&M FT- Band 04    
Professional/Managerial Salary Bands 
The target hiring salary for this position is minimum and up to 96% of midpoint for the salary grade.

*Tentative evaluation; subject to committee review. 

At the University of Guelph, fostering a culture of inclusion is an institutional imperative. The University invites and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in employment, who may contribute to further diversification of our Institution.

Posting Date:  04/24/2026  
Closing Date:  05/08/2026