Now Hiring: Six-Week Workshop Co-Facilitator

ByKel

Status: Part-time, Seasonal Position

Location: Hybrid, remote and in Seattle, WA

Reports to: Program Director

Salary: $28-35/hour, commensurate with experience

About Clarion West

Clarion West is a 501(c)(3) non-profit speculative fiction writers organization focused on helping writers become successful, fostering greater equity and inclusion in the speculative fiction world, and bringing writers and readers together. Clarion West is best known for our residential six-week workshop held every summer consecutively since 1984. We also host one-day, weekend, and online workshops year-round and events that bring writers and readers together. 

Mission 

We support emerging and underrepresented voices by providing writers with world-class instruction to empower their creation of wild and amazing worlds. Through conversation and public engagement, we bring those voices to an ever-expanding community. 

Although there are fine science fiction and fantasy writers of all ethnicities, races, and genders, historically the field has reflected the same prejudices found in the culture around it, leading to proportionately fewer successful women and LGBTQIA+ writers, writers of color, and writers from marginalized backgrounds. We believe that these communities must be centered in the work we do. Hence, we encourage applications from people with these identities or who are members of other marginalized communities.

Overall Responsibilities

This position is one of 2 co-facilitators for the Six-Week Workshop and will assist with engagement for all Six-Week instructors, participants, and staff. The facilitator will also help provide training and orientations for staff and instructors, update methods and materials, facilitate the workshop schedule, and assist with all other aspects of the Six-Week Workshop during the summer months. The person who will fit this position best has a background and demonstrable experience with excellence, equitable and inclusive practices, and establishing an inclusive workshopping or teaching culture.

This is a part-time, seasonal position with the possibility of extension. The position requires a combination of remote and in-person job duties, and variable work hours. Hours may vary, but summer hours are expected to be between 180-250 hours from June – early August, with the heaviest hourly load from June 21-August 1 (during the Six-Week Workshop) and approximately 60 hours during the rest of the year. 

This position requires approximately 30 hours hybrid or remote work between March and May and between September and December. Dates for instructor selection, orientation, and other meetings (remote) will be scheduled for April and May, often on weekends. The Six-Week Workshop is typically scheduled from mid-June through July and requires approximately 35 hours each week, including weekends and some evenings.

The Workshop Facilitator is part of a small dedicated team and reports to the Program Director.

General Facilitation

  • Work closely with the Program Director to plan communication with instructors, students, and other staff, including facilitation skills, training, and workshop methods.
  • Identify new workshop methods and inclusive practices Clarion West can adopt in its programming
  • Participate in final student selection.
  • Participate in instructor selection meetings for the upcomingMaintain and update workshop and critique descriptions sent to students and instructors.
  • Liaison with Six-Week instructors, including instructor updates, orientation, schedule, travel, and other information, such as the instructor information in the database.
  • Volunteer support and coordination: work with the Program Director to set dates, determine volunteer needs, and coordinate volunteer involvement, support, and scheduling.
  • Train and/or provide guidance on new training opportunities, reading materials, and best practices for instructors and staff in updated critique models.
  • Plan and communicate with instructors to facilitate high-quality critique-based workshops.
  • Facilitate class from 9am–12pm Pacific Time (or during selected 3-hour period), four-five days a week, during the six-week workshop from June–July).
  • Ensure the smooth implementation of new workshop methods.
  • Be a resource to students and instructors during the workshop.
  • Assist in mediating classroom disputes.
  • Review and assist the Program Director in ensuring best practices for student application language, website information pages, marketing language, program evaluation, and other aspects as needed.
  • Review, help design, and assist in maintenance and administration of workshop data, surveys, evaluations, and related information helpful for the design and administration of the workshop.
  • When applicable, serve as a resource year-round for CW programs.
  • Update CRM database with instructor and student contact information, including updating preferred names and pronouns as needed. 
  • Update alumni resource page and communicate with alumni as needed. 

Additional Qualities & Experience

Clarion West will consider applicants who do not meet all criteria but are willing to build in training and are a good fit for our organization.

  • A Six-Week Workshop graduate strongly preferred
  • Required: we are seeking someone who lives in the Greater Seattle Area
  • Well-informed in educational/pedagogical fields as to updated practices, especially in relationship to creative writing, inclusive and welcoming classrooms, and alternative forms of critique workshops.
  • Feels comfortable stepping into a critique circle when needed to help diffuse a situation or facilitate an important discussion.
  • Flexible and adaptable, able to work with both students and instructors/staff.
  • Awareness of classroom dynamics, use of content notes, potential microaggressions.
  • Willingness to learn from the group/students.
  • Patience.
  • Must be eligible to work in the United States.
  • Prior experience in facilitating workshops and working with diverse groups.
  • Background or interest in speculative fiction a must.

Education/Training

  • Required: history of education/training in the areas of writing, critique programs, adult/continuing education programs.
  • Master’s Degree in English, Creative Writing, Humanities, or related strongly preferred.
  • Certificate or relevant experience in facilitation for diverse groups is a plus. 

Application Process

To be considered for this opportunity, complete this form. Please include your resume as a PDF attachment before submitting the form. 

Benefits

Benefit package includes: sick leave and paid time off after the first three months.

Closing Date

Friday, January 23, 2026 at 5pm

Program Notification

Staff and board members at Clarion West are not eligible to apply for the Six-Week or Novel Writing Workshop and they are not eligible to be a featured instructor. 

Equal Opportunity 

Clarion West is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, or other non-related work factor as protected by law.