Six-Week Workshop Facilitator

• Status: Part-time hire for 2024
• Location: Seattle, WA
• Reports to: Workshop Manager
• Salary: $28-35/hour, commensurate with experience
• Deadline: February 19, 2024

Overall Responsibilities

The Workshop Facilitator provides leadership within the residential programs through workshop facilitation and engagement with instructors, participants, and staff. The facilitator will also help to train staff and instructors, help update methods and materials, and make contributions to updating the overall culture of workshopping. This position has a strong focus on excellence, equitable and inclusive practices, and establishing an inclusive workshopping culture in the Clarion West Six-Week Workshop.

This is a part-time, seasonal position for 2024 with the possibility of extension. The position requires a combination of remote and in-person job duties, variable work hours (heavy in the summer, light throughout the year), and occasional evenings and weekends. 

This position requires approximately 30 hours hybrid or remote work between March and May and between September and December. Dates for instructor training and other meetings (remote) will be scheduled for April and May, often on weekends. The Six-Week Workshop is scheduled to be in person between June 16–July 27. The Workshop Facilitator should plan to be on-site in Seattle for approximately 15–20 hours each week, including Sundays and some evenings.

The Workshop Facilitator may also help develop and plan other Clarion West critique-based workshops at other times of the year, based on interest, availability, and funding.

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

General Facilitation

• Work closely with the Workshop Manager to plan communication with instructors, students, and other staff, including facilitation skills, training, and workshop methods.
• Maintain and update workshop and critique descriptions sent to students and instructors.
• 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, three–four 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.
• Redirect instructors if needed (for example, if an instructor loses track of time).
• Be an ally to students, ensuring authors are able to lead their workshops and get what they need from the sessions.
• Read assigned author statements/content notes for student stories and be prepared to address potential sources of conflict.
• Assist in mediating classroom disputes.
• Have availability for one-on-one or small-group meetings with students during residential programs. 
• Identify new workshop methods and inclusive practices Clarion West can adopt in its programming
• Review and assist the Workshop Manager 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.

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.

• 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 plus.

Education/Training

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

Clarion West will not consider applicants for the 2024 Six-Week Workshop for this role at this time.

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Application Process

To be considered for this opportunity, submit a letter of interest outlining your qualifications for the position and a resume to workshop@clarionwest.org by Wednesday, February 14. Please include your cover letter and resume as PDF attachments to your email and list the position title in the subject line of the email.

Benefits

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

Closing Date

Open until filled.

Variable hours/seasonal 

This is a part-time position with variable hours between 5–15 hours per month January–May and August–December and 100–150 hours during the Six-Week Workshop between June–July. 

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.