QWF Seeks Writers & Spoken Word Artists to Design & Facilitate Workshops for “Writers in the Community” Program
Application Deadline: July 10, 2020
The Quebec Writers’ Federation (QWF) is looking for one or two new writer-facilitators to join our “Writers in the Community” team. All work is on a contract basis, and cannot be guaranteed for any particular period. For the foreseeable future, all writer-facilitators will be expected to be able to offer their workshops using Zoom.
Established in 2003, Writers in the Community (WIC) is designed to engage at-risk youth and young adults with English-language literary activities that will broaden their view of the value of language and build some of the skills and confidence they need to create a better future for themselves.
Successful applicants will be required to…
- observe an experienced WIC writer-facilitator in two workshops before being given their own group;
- attend one planning meeting with the host organization and WIC coordinator before each workshop series begins, and one annual roundtable meeting with the steering committee and the other writer-facilitators to share information;
- design and run a series of weekly sessions for a particular group of young people, leading to a literary “product,” such as a zine, podcast, video, or performance (certain products will not be feasible when working online);
- conduct the workshops in line with established and measurable objectives for each workshop series/group, and provide specific feedback regarding outcomes of the workshops based on those objectives;
- provide short weekly updates (by email) to the WIC coordinator and a final summary report when the workshop series ends.
The ideal candidate has…
- a history of professional publication or performance in the literary arts;
- relevant experience working with youth or young adults;
- professionalism (reliability, punctuality, communication);
- ability to design and facilitate multiple activities that engage youth while improving their English-language writing skills;
- creativity and flexibility, and a willingness to share successes with colleagues;
- energy to burn and an upbeat personality.
Prior experience working on Zoom is an asset, but not required.
This program demands a high level of energy and enthusiasm and the ability to adapt to challenging situations, sometimes under pressure. The participants may have behavioural issues or learning disabilities. Attendance in many of our venues fluctuates and the composition and dynamic of the groups may vary from week to week.
Some of our workshop venues are hard to reach by public transport so, for when we are able to return to physical workshop delivery, candidates with use of a car are especially welcomed.
QWF actively seeks to maximize diversity in its staff, part-time employees, membership, and board of directors. We
welcome applications from all qualified individuals, and encourage Indigenous persons, persons of colour,
LGBTQ+ and gender-nonconforming persons, persons with disabilities, women, and members of any other
marginalized group to self‐identify if they are comfortable doing so.
Application procedure and deadline:
By July 10, 2020, please send the following to Lori Schubert:
- a c.v. with related experience and literary credentials;
- a one-page cover letter indicating the approach you would take to working with a potentially ever-shifting group of at-risk adolescents on a literary project;
- an indication of your availability between September and December 2020.
Interviews will be held via Zoom in late July. Successful candidates will be expected to observe two WIC workshops before being assigned their own workshop.