Job Description

Job Title: CBWS Community Writing Tutor (WS-NST3)

Classification: Student Employee (non-exempt)

Name and Address of Employer: St. Olaf College, 1520 St. Olaf Ave, Northfield, MN 55057

If the position requires the student to work off campus, provide the name and address here:

Arcadia Charter School - 1719 Cannon Road, Northfield, MN 55057

Department Name: Community Based Work Study/ America Reads

Unit Number (5 digits): 10-13001/10-13000

Length of Position: See Employment Authorization

Contact Person/Supervisor: Bridget Draxler, Associate Director of Writing and Academic Support; Director, Arcadia Charter School

Pay Rate (Check One) $15.50/hour

Description of the Position: (Purpose of the Position):

Help high school students from the Northfield community achieve their academic writing goals. Community Writing Tutors spend 4 hours per week at Arcadia School tutoring high school students on writing assignments and training advanced composition students to become peer writing tutors themselves. Available hours are Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays 1:45-3:45, spring semester only.

Tutors help students with written assignments at any stage of the process, from understanding the assignment and planning an approach, through organizing and drafting, to preparing the works cited page and making final edits. Support is process-oriented, rather than product-oriented, with the focus on the writer before the writing. Tutors also design and teach curriculum on best practices of peer tutoring, and mentor students as they become peer tutors.

This position is ideal for students who are careful, thoughtful readers, empathetic listeners, reflective writers, and interested in education.

Transferable Skills:

• Interpersonal communication
• Writing, speaking, and listening skills
• The ability to work with diverse students from a variety of educational backgrounds, learning styles, abilities, and disciplinary contexts
• The ability to provide feedback, support, and motivation to peers

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Tutor students at any stage of the writing process, adapting to the needs of each individual student, some of whom speak a language other than English at home, are underprepared and/or have learning disabilities.
• Maintain prompt and open communication with supervisor
• Commit to working 4 hours per week

Qualifications: (Education/Experience/Skills)

• Completion of St. Olaf Writing Desk tutor training and at least 1 semester of peer tutoring at St. Olaf; open to sophomores-seniors
• Written and verbal communication skills
• Interpersonal skills (open-minded, sensitive, attuned to diverse experiences)
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Ability to work with minimal supervision
• Ability to listen carefully and ask critical questions
• Commitment to a diverse, inclusive community

Schedule/Location:

• Position is for 2027 January/Spring Terms: January or February 2027 start date

This job description is for general information purposes. It is not intended to list all duties and responsibilities of the position. This job description is subject to change at any time by St. Olaf College, with or without prior notice.