Overview

Since its formation in New York City in 2007, Writopia Lab has grown into a nationwide community of young writers. Our mission is to foster joy, literacy, and critical thinking in children and teens from all backgrounds through creative writing. We create a safe and engaging space for writers at all stages of the writing process, and we aim to provide the creative inspiration, individual attention, and intellectual environment that may not be available to them in school.

Writopia Lab is looking for an Instructor & Site Coordinator for our lab in Hartsdale, NY. The person in this position is responsible for supporting Writopia Lab and the kids who enroll in our workshops. They lead in-person writing workshops; coordinate the activities of the lab; and interact with the parents and guardians of the kids in our workshops and with internal enrollment, registration, and programs teams.

What The Instructor & Site Coordinator Will Do

Instructor responsibilities include leading after-school and weekend workshops and private sessions for kids and teens ages 6 to 18. During the school year, workshops are semester-long and meet after school and on weekends for 90 minute sessions. During the summer, workshops meet Mondays to Fridays for 3 hour sessions in the mornings or afternoons. Our workshops are age-based, small groups of kids and teens who are challenged to set and achieve writing goals in a fun and engaging way. Private sessions are scheduled times where Instructors engage with kids and teens individually. A balance between fun, engaging literary games, focused writing time, and constant feedback from the instructor, our workshops and private sessions seek to engage young writers from all backgrounds and help them tell the stories that matter to them most. We train instructors extensively in our method and are looking for instructors with publication experience or produced plays.

The Site Coordinator part of the job requires supporting the Director of Teen Programs who also manages the Westchester Region. This role works with the Director in operating the lab which includes communicating with instructors, interns, parents/guardians, workshop participants (kids aged 6-18). The Site Coordinator handles check-in and check-out activities for workshops; keeps office supplies stocked; ensures the lab space is clean and prepared for workshops; and plans and coordinates other activities as necessary.

Location, Pay and Schedule

Location: in-person at our lab in Hartsdale, New York

Pay: $25-$30 per hour

Schedule:

• Summer: Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM from mid June to mid August.
• School-year: In-person Thursday, Friday, Saturday (4 hours per day); 3 hours remote over the week (flexible)

Responsibilities

• Lead in-person workshops consistently and reliably
• Engage with kids and teens in the creative process while modeling healthy boundaries in workshops
• Act as substitute workshop leader when needed
• Organize and maintain office supplies and snacks for workshops
• Open and close the lab space for workshops when necessary
• Coordinate workshops and new enrollments with the national registration team
• Practice excellent customer service in communicating with clients via email and phone
• Contribute to efforts to research and identify possible outreach opportunities; conduct outreach efforts

Skills and Requirements

• BA degree; MA preferred
• Published fiction and/or nonfiction and/or produced plays preferred
• Enthusiasm for and experience working with youth
• Ability to reliably and consistently commute to workshop locations
• Flexibility instructing in various environments
• Experience working with youth in after-school programs or recreational activities preferred
• Comfort with technology, including Google spreadsheets
• Must be fully vaccinated, including at least one booster shot

How to Apply

If you are excited by the idea of joining a community of writers and helping children and teens learn to strengthen their debate, research, and writing skills, please apply! Please attach your resume, cover letter, and answer the question “Why do you want to work at Writopia?” Please do not submit a cover letter or other application materials that have been generated by AI.

To find out more information regarding who we are and what we do here at Writopia Lab, please visit our website at www.writopialab.org.

Writopia Lab is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Writopia Lab does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status, or on any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.

Writopia Lab uses E-Verify to confirm the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States

No phone calls, emails, or drop ins, please.