Instructional Student Assistants for The Writing Center

Instructional Student Assistants for The Writing Center

The Writing Center is seeking applicants to fill the Instructional Student Assistant positions.

Position Overview: At CSUB’s Writing Center, we believe that writing is a social process, not a solitary one. Our mission is to promote student success and independence by providing a welcoming environment for dialogue and feedback. Rather than simply 'fixing' papers, our peer consultants work alongside you to develop your unique voice and sharpen your arguments at any stage of the writing process.

Anticipated Appointment Dates: This position is open until it is filled. 

Fall 2026: August 17, 2026 – December 19, 2026

Spring 2027: January 20, 2027 – May 26, 2027

Hours: 0-20 hours per week

WRC Job Expectations:

• Assist students with oral and written communication across all disciplines and at all stages of the process. (This includes working with tutees on pre-writing and in-class essay writing strategies, thesis statements, development, unity, clarity, structure, grammar and mechanics, and documentation to enable them to become more effective, independent writers and editors of their own work.);
• Observe and train new tutors in the policies and procedures of the WRC to make our team more competent and cohesive;
• Document relevant and accurate details about tutoring sessions in RunnerConnect in a prompt manner.
• Act as WRC liaison at faculty and department meetings to stay aware of English department concerns and efforts and to promote a strong, mutually-beneficial relationship between professors and the tutoring center staff;
• Create and administer writing/grammar workshops to supplement writing and reading skills taught in composition classes and across disciplines;
• Organize class visits and appearances at campus-sponsored events and distribute flyers in order to promote awareness about WRC services;
• Upon request, work with professors in and out of class to provide special assistance—to groups and individuals—in writing and critical reading;
• Work with students who speak English as a second language or students with special needs or circumstances;
• Help the Tutoring Center Coordinator with administrative tasks and special projects, as needed;
• Solve existing problems and complaints, anticipate problems, and provide collaborative feedback to fellow tutors for mutual improvement of practice.

Writing Center Tutor Qualifications:

To be considered for employment as a Writing Resource Center tutor, students must:

• Have demonstrated significant writing ability confirmed by relevant course work and/or faculty recommendation;
• Possess advanced oral and written communication skills in order to appropriately articulate suggestions for writing improvement; 
• Be able to work with Writing Center clients in a manner that is encouraging and that fosters confidence in the writer;
• Be trustworthy, reliable, and detail-oriented;
• Possess a positive attitude towards colleagues and clients;
• Be able to work independently and to take initiative in fulfilling responsibilities;
• Be committed to reflection and growth in their practices and take feedback seriously.

Writing Center Tutor Responsibilities and Duties:

To continue to be hired as tutors at the WRC, students must

• Support their WRC colleagues to maintain the integrity and efficiency of the Center;
• Maintain the confidentiality of our clients and services;
• Be dependable and punctual in their duties, in the completion of assigned tasks, and in notifying the appropriate staff personnel when conflicts or problems occur;
• Tutor members of the CSUB campus community; 
• Attend staff meetings and training sessions, as required; 
• Maintain orderliness in operating the Center (making appointments, opening and closing the WRC, checking supplies, filing, completing administrative tasks, straightening up the Center, being flexible in work hours to ensure adequate coverage of the Center, etc.); 
• Assist and mentor tutor trainees; 
• Notify supervisor of needs or difficulties; 
• Provide input and suggestions to improve our operation; 
• Carry out other tasks as assigned by the supervisor.

Application Procedures:  The review of applications will begin immediately and may continue for next semester.  For full consideration, the application and all required materials must be submitted by August 14^th for Fall Semester and January 18^th for Spring Semester.  The following documents are required to upload:

1. Class Schedule: Upload a copy of your class schedule for the semester you are seeking employment.  Please note, if you have not registered for your next semester courses, you many skip this upload and submit the application.
2. Curriculum Vita, or Resume: Your curriculum Vita or CV, is the academic equivalent of a resume.  It should contain your contact information, your employment and educational history, skills such as computer programming, familiarity with commonly used computer programs, as well as internships, awards, volunteer service, training and any other experience you have that is relevant to education. 
3. Current unofficial transcripts from your undergraduate and graduate education.  If you had attended more than one institution, please copy and combine these transcripts into one document. 
4. List of three references.  The online applications will request you to enter your three references separate from your CV.  The letters of reference may be requested by the committee.  Be prepared to enter the following for each of your three references:

1. First Name
2. Last Name
3. Type of reference
4. Organization
5. Position Title
6. Phone Number
7. E-mail Address

Finalists may be asked for an interview.

Inquiries:  Please contact Jacob Whitaker at [email protected].

Instructional Student Assistant additional information regarding assignment:

• Evaluation:  ISAs may be evaluated per CBA, Unit 11, Article 8 (https://www.calstate.edu/csu-system/faculty-staff/labor-and-employee-relations/Pages/unit11-uaw.aspx)
• Salary: The salary range for Instructional Student Assistants starts at $17.86 per hour.  Each Department has a different salary scale.  Please check with your department about your Base Salary.
• Assignments: Assignments are made by Department Chair or Program Coordinator after consultation with the candidate.
• Duties Form: Per the Collective Bargaining Agreement for Unit 11 (https://www.calstate.edu/csu-system/faculty-staff/labor-and-employee-relations/Pages/unit11-uaw.aspx), a Duties Form (see Appendix E of the CBA) will be completed between the Department and Academic Student Employee.  This form substantiates the jobs included for the department Instructional Student Assistant position. 
• Instructional Student Assistant positions are for matriculated students at CSUB.
• Students are limited to 20-hours of part-time work on campus.

About the Campus: CSU Bakersfield, founded in 1970, is a regional, comprehensive university serving the southern San Joaquin Valley of California. CSU Bakersfield’s service area covers nearly 25,000 square miles and is home to a socially and ethnically diverse population of over 11,000 students. CSU Bakersfield is the only four-year degree granting institution within a 100-mile radius. Due to this, CSU Bakersfield has a vital role in educational obtainment, economic development, and quality of life within the region.

The accolades CSU Bakersfield has received include Third Way’s #9 Most Economic Mobility Index (2023), Washington Monthly’s #10 Best Bang for the Buck for Western Colleges and #11 Best Master’s University (2023), and US News and World Report’s #16 Top Public School in the West (2023).

CSU Bakersfield serves 9,800 undergraduate students and 1,400 graduate, credential, and post-baccalaureate students.  63.5% of CSU Bakersfield’s students are Hispanic/Latinx, 21.5% are Caucasian, 7.1% are Asian, 4.9% are African-American, 2.3% are multiracial, 0.5% are American Indian/Alaskan Native, and 0.2% are Hawaiian/Pacific Islander.  CSU Bakersfield is a federally designated Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI).