About the role
Overview of CommonLit
CommonLit is a nonprofit education technology organization dedicated to ensuring that all students, especially students in Title I schools, graduate with the reading, writing, communication, and problem-solving skills they need to be successful in college and beyond. We envision a world where all students get the opportunity to have a world class education. We operate an online reading program for grades 3-12, www.CommonLit.org, that is used by teachers in over 90,000 American schools.
The Opportunity
The ELA Curriculum Writer is a pivotal part of a team working at the intersection of curriculum and technology. Responsibilities will include: working in teams to write new content, revising and editing existing units and lessons, and supporting content-related projects and cross-team initiatives.
Roles and Responsibilities
Produce high-quality curriculum and learning content
Plan and write rigorous academic content that reflects CommonLit's standards for ELA instruction and design.
Curate texts and resources that meet CommonLit's standards for rigor, relevance, and instructional value.
Peer review content components through the lens of standards alignment and CommonLit design principles.
Contribute to learning content across curriculum, supplemental, and library offerings, as well as cross-functional projects throughout the organization.
Produce high-quality curriculum and learning content.
Plan and write high-quality academic content, adhering to the style and rigor expected for CommonLit’s ELA offerings.
Curate and choose rigorous, high-quality texts and resources.
Peer reviews all components through the lens of standards, alignment, and overall CommonLit design.
Complete learning content development assignments on various projects for CommonLit’s curriculum, supplemental, and library offerings, as well as support projects across the organization.
Manage self and projects
Manage workflow across multiple concurrent projects with strong attention to detail and a solutions-oriented mindset.
Actively seek and implement feedback to drive continuous improvement in content quality.
Iterate by generating multiple drafts and navigating multiple sources of feedback.
Cultivate personal growth through reflection, research, and personal learning.
Work collaboratively and synergistically across team and organization
Work collaboratively to meet development deadlines, including within the Academic teams (Curriculum, Supplemental, Assessment, and PD) as well as across other teams, such as Product.
Work across various mediums (print, digital) in developing learning content.
Communicate in a way that supports the workflow of others.
Qualifications
5+ completed years of teaching
Bachelor's degree in English, history, or other humanities field
Lived experience or work experience in communities of color
Strong reading, writing, editing, and analytical skills and close attention to detail
In-depth knowledge of college- and career-readiness standards in English language arts
Demonstrated understanding of best practices in English language arts instruction
Deep understanding of the challenges facing teachers and students
Demonstrates humility and growth mindset, including valuing critical feedback
Preferred Qualifications:
Curriculum writing experience in English language arts
Experience with challenges of rolling out curriculum and technology across a school or district
Ability to work successfully on collaborative, cross-functional teams
Familiarity with the current landscape of research and trends in English language arts instruction
Familiarity with contemporary, diverse literature
Physical & Additional Requirements
This role involves prolonged periods in a stationary position at a desk and working on a computer
Must be US-based
Must be available to work from 9 AM -5 PM Eastern Standard Time
Salary & Benefits
Salary: $80,000 - $100,000, commensurate with experience
At CommonLit, we are committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive company culture that values work-life balance and adapts to life’s changes. We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support our employees’ health, well-being, and financial security:
Health, dental, and vision insurance
HSA and FSA Plans, including Medical FSA, Limited FSA, and Dependent Care FSA options
Company-sponsored basic life insurance, with additional options for supplemental life insurance
Legal insurance
401(k) retirement plan with a 4% safe harbor employer match
Access to exclusive discounts, including pet insurance, hotel booking discounts, and more
Remote work support, including a home office set-up stipend
Generous time off, including:
16 paid holidays annually
Paid time off accruals and sick leave
Paid family leave, including caregiver leave, medical leave, and 12 weeks of paid parental leave
2 floating holidays
Volunteer and school visitation leave
Jury duty leave
Bereavement and compassionate leave
Blood, bone marrow, and organ donation leave
Flexible work options
Low-stress weeks around Thanksgiving and in late December
As a remote-first organization, CommonLit has team members in nearly 30 states and Washington, D.C. We strive to create a collaborative and engaging workplace through various connection opportunities:
Monthly remote activities, such as dumpling-making, yoga, and virtual escape rooms
Monthly "CoffeeLit" sessions for connecting with colleagues
Learning and development opportunities for teams and individuals
As an equal opportunity employer, CommonLit values having a diverse workforce and continuously strives to maintain an inclusive and equitable workplace. We encourage people with a diverse range of backgrounds to apply. We do not discriminate against any person based upon their race, traits historically associated with race, religion, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy or related medical conditions, parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, genetic information, or any other legally protected characteristics. If you are a qualified applicant requiring assistance or an accommodation to complete any step of the application process due to a disability, you may contact us at careers@commonlit.org
