2025 SMASH Academy Creative Writing Facilitator (Spelman)

Job Description:

Reporting to the Program Director, in your role as facilitator, you will develop and facilitate a mini-curriculum that explores different aspects of creative writing tailored to high school students, incorporate interactive writing exercises, peer-sharing, and feedback opportunities, foster a safe, inclusive, and encouraging environment where scholars feel comfortable sharing their work and introduce scholars to diverse voices and techniques.

This is a 2-week assignment, with an additional commitment of training prior to launch, and a close out day after SMASH Academy (see chart below for dates).

As this role has a virtual component, we expect staff to provide the following -- their own personal computer (desktop or laptop) that has a working webcam, speaker and microphone for video conferencing capabilities (i.e. Zoom, Google Hangouts, Cisco Webex); reliable Internet connection (at least 25 Mbps download speed); and quiet work space for virtual programming. If you cannot provide your own equipment, please speak with your Program Director.

All staff and scholars will be required to comply with the SMASH COVID-19 policy for in-person programming. Currently, staff working in-person are expected to test at least once each week they are working in-person with colleagues. Additionally, we encourage testing before and after in-person company and non-company sponsored events and travel. All staff and scholars must also comply with any site specific COVID-19 requirements. Site specific requirements will be shared as they become available and are subject to change. If a quarantine mandate is enforced by local government, university, or SMASH, all SMASH Academy programming will be held virtually.

SMASH reserves the right to revise, delete, and add to its COVID-19 policy at any time, with or without notice. Nothing in the SMASH COVID-19 policy creates a contract or changes the nature of the at-will employment relationship.

You must be available for all training and program dates.

Key responsibilities include but are not limited to those listed below.

Key Responsibilities:

• Attend Training (see dates above)
• Adhere to the structure of curriculum provided by SMASH
• Facilitate Electives Sessions
• Two 1.5 hrs sessions 2 days/week (T,Th)
• Continuously assess scholar learning, provide feedback, and pivot as needed
• Attend Weekly Staff Meetings (1hr/week)
• Ensure Completion of Deliverables (e.g. log pre + post assessment scores, attendance, staff surveys, final inventory, etc.)

Required Attributes:

• Collaboration: Exceptional listening, communication, and presentation skills; excellent time management and organizational skills.
• Relationship Building: Welcome and embrace individual differences of everyone in the room.
• Problem Solving: Remain curious, innovative, iterative, and quickly pivot as needed.
• Resilience: Approach situations with a growth mindset, adapt, and reflect.

What you bring:

• Commitment to SMASH’s mission; willingness to embrace goals/values is essential.
• Demonstrated experience and success co-facilitating workshops with 15-25 participants (preferably at high school level).
• Ability to create engaging, inclusive, and age-appropriate writing exercises tailored to students with varying writing levels.

Application Information:

Apply for this position below and ensure you can make the training and program dates. The application includes a place to upload your resume and cover letter and to provide written responses to specific prompts. This position will close when filled.

Compensation:

This is a non-exempt position. The hourly compensation for this position is estimated to be $30.00. Compensation will be adjusted accordingly based on hours worked.

Statement of Non-Discrimination:

In keeping with our beliefs and goals, no employee or applicant will face discrimination/harassment based on race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, age, gender, marital/domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, or veteran status.