How to Apply
A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.
Job Summary
The Department of English Language and Literature is looking for an administrative assistant with exceptional communication, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills to coordinate key administrative functions of the English Department Writing Program (EDWP). The individual in this position will support EDWP's leadership, lecturer faculty, and graduate student instructors (GSIs).
The Mission of EDWP
To support excellence in lecturer faculty teaching, graduate student pedagogy training, and undergraduate student learning about writing. The English Department Writing Program is dedicated to the teaching of writing, particularly at the 100- and 200-level. Our courses aim to prepare all students to write effective analytic arguments that matter to them and to their audience in whatever academic and professional fields they choose to pursue; to read and analyze complex texts critically; and to develop flexible and appropriate strategies for revising academic writing to strengthen the development of ideas and hone the appropriateness of expression. EDWP provides support to over 120 instructors and approximately 6,700 students per academic year.
Mission Statement
The mission of the University of Michigan is to serve the people of Michigan and the world through preeminence in creating, communicating, preserving and applying knowledge, art, and academic values, and in developing leaders and citizens who will challenge the present and enrich the future.
Responsibilities*
Key responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to:
- EDWP Lecturer Faculty and GSI Support
- Handle walk-in traffic, answer and triage student and instructor questions; resolve problems.
- Manage instructional awards (Rackham, donor, internal).
- Coordinate EDWP August instructor training including distributing materials to instructors over the summer.
- Coordinate with the English Department Front Office Admin Assistant for the distribution and accountability of all lecturer faculty laptops.
- Direct instructors to appropriate LSA and EDWP resources.
- Track teaching records for both lecturers and GSIs.
- Provide Canvas support.
- Order all EDWP and 993 course evaluations.
- Coordinate and act as liaison when needed with the Office of Students with Disabilities for GSIs.
- Serve as grade coordinator for all EDWP sections.
- Manage input and changes to the time schedule in Wolverine Access.
- Maintain in-house time schedule using Curriculum Planning Tool.
- Collect instructor Topic IDs (subtitles) and course descriptions and enter them into Wolverine Access and the LSA Course Guide system (327 different course descriptions for fall and winter terms).
- Monitor enrollments, manage permissions and drop/adds.
- Provide students with information regarding courses in EDWP.
- Work with the Office of the Registrar to resolve classroom change requests and issues.
- Assist Graduate Student Mentors with the Undergraduate Writing Prize.
- Program/Administrative Support:
- Participate in EDWP leadership team meetings, contribute updates and feedback on administrative matters.
- Coordinate scheduling and enrollment for English 993.
- Assist in the preparation of Lecturer Major Review files for the Review Committee.
- Assist in preparation of Lecturer application files for the Hiring Committee.
- Order office supplies and maintain inventory.
- Provide administrative support for GSI August instructor training.
- Provide ad hoc administrative support to EDWP and the English department.
- Manage Program Information/Resources
- Create and maintain all instructor and student email groups.
- Post EDWP events on English Department on-line calendar and make sure they are on the photo boards.
- Update/edit EDWP on-line directory using AEM.
- Make announcements about program events, including but not limited to program emails, advertisements, flyers, sending information for photo boards.
- Manage instructor access to program resources (e.g. on Canvas or other platforms).
Required Qualifications*
- Associate degree and at least three years of relevant administrative work experience.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.
- Ability to work as a member of a team and mastery of high-quality customer service skills.
- Demonstrated competence in verbal and written communication.
- Excellent accuracy and attention to detail while working in a fast-paced environment with frequent interruptions.
- Ability to meet deadlines and prioritize appropriate tasks while handling various projects simultaneously.
- Ability to exercise initiative, independent judgment, and diplomacy.
- Project and large program coordination skills.
- Technical skills in Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace.
- Commitment to learning best practices for accessible document design, communication, event planning and interaction.
Desired Qualifications*
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent education and work experience.
- Familiarity with U-M and LSA policies & procedures.
- Knowledge of Canvas, Wolverine Access, Google Docs & Google Calendar
Modes of Work
Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.
Additional Information
Currently, the English Department is following a hybrid schedule. During the academic year, there is an opportunity to work up to two days remotely per week; up to three days remotely per week during the spring/summer months. This current arrangement is subject to change based on LSA's guidelines.
The regular work hours are M-F, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The salary range for this position is $40,000 to $50,000, please note a higher salary may be offered to highly qualified candidates.
As one of the world's great liberal arts colleges, LSA pushes the boundaries of what is understood about the human experience and the natural world, and we foster the next generation of rigorous and empathetic thinkers, creators, and contributors to the state of Michigan, the nation, and the world.
To learn more about LSA's Mission, Vision and Values, please visit lsa.umich.edu/strategicvision.
Background Screening
The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Application Deadline
Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.