Freelance Editor Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

IntroductionThe National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine value diversity in our members, volunteers, and staff and strive for a culture of inclusion in our workplace and activities. Convening a diverse community to exchange ideas and perspectives enhances the quality of our work and increases our relevance as advisers to the nation about the most complex issues facing the nation and the world.

OverviewRequisition Number: R0002672
Performs substantive editing and copy editing, conferring with authors on treatment of material. Looks for inconsistencies of thought, development, and organization. Works with editorial and production staff and contractors to guide manuscripts through to publication. Ensures material conforms to organization's and unit's standards for style, content, and format. Rewrites text as necessary in compliance with editorial guidelines. Contributes original material where appropriate. Provides guidance and direction to writers, editors and editorial assistants. May participate in manuscript structure development and organization.
Incumbent applies in-depth professional level knowledge to independently solve a full range of complex, substantive problems. Assignments are broadly defined and require judgment and creativity to complete. Incumbent has authority to take whatever action deemed advisable or necessary and is often responsible for oversight or management of other editors and support staff. This job typically reports to top editorial position or an executive in the division.
As part of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, the Transportation Research Board (TRB) mobilizes expertise, experience, and knowledge to anticipate and solve complex transportation-related challenges. The Board's varied activities annually engage more than 5,500 engineers, scientists, and other transportation researchers and practitioners from the public and private sectors and academia, all of whom contribute their expertise in the public interest. The program is supported by state departments of transportation, federal agencies including component administrations of the U.S. Department of Transportation, and other organizations and individuals interested in the development of transportation.

Responsibilities

1. Evaluates and edits technical reports and other materials, helping to shape presentation and structure as necessary. Confers with author on treatment of material and negotiates highly complex and intricate revisions with authors.
2. Ensures all material conforms to organization's and unit's standards for style, content, and format.
3. Provides leadership and mentors editorial staff. May have supervisory responsibility for editors and editorial assistants, including hiring, training, and evaluation of work. Trains and develops employees to successfully perform current responsibilities and encourages development of staff for future roles. Forms effective teams and cultivates a work environment that fosters teamwork.
4. May oversee freelance activities, including finding and coordinating work among freelance editors.
5. Guides freelance editors and/or staff on editing and publishing options. Attends editorial and production meetings. Consults with marketing and production staff on production aspects. Answers complex editorial questions. Consults with staff about the progress of reports and other editorial projects.
6. May lead department operational activities by establishing and updating workflow, style templates, and database functionality.
7. May serve as managing editor for editorial/publishing projects smaller in scope or less frequently published, such as newsletters and/or quarterly magazines and journals.

• Related duties and special projects as assigned.

Requirements

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Exceptional grammar and language skills, including familiarity with The Chicago Manual of Style. Ability to solve problems of substantial variety and complexity. Ability to undertake tasks broad in nature, requiring ingenuity and originality. Ability to serve as a resource to others in the resolution of complex problems and issues. Ability to operate independently, and exercise substantial latitude for independent judgment, discretion, and action. Ability to work successfully in a team environment and to form and maintain effective teams. Experience working in complex environments with a high degree of organizational effectiveness. Ability to develop relationships with co-workers and employees in other National Academies' departments through effective communication. Excellent communication skills with a proven ability to effectively interact with all levels of employees.

Minimum Education/Training Requirements: Bachelor's Degree in English, Journalism, Communications, or related field, or equivalent knowledge.

Minimum Experience: Six years of related professional experience,

Physical Capabilities: Ability to work at a computer for extended periods of time.

Required Licenses, Certification or Registration: None.

Supervisory Responsibilities/Controls: Reports to Associate Director or Executive or Managing Editor. General direction is provided.

Compensation & Benefits: An estimated compensation range for this position is $88,450 - $121,620. Compensation offered to the selected candidate will be based on the candidate’s relevant knowledge, skills, and work experience, commensurate with compensation of current employees in comparable positions with similar knowledge, skills, and work experience, and subject to budget parameters. Note it is not typical for a candidate to be hired at the higher end of the range.   This is a benefits-eligible position.  Our Benefits Plan offers competitive and comprehensive benefit options, including medical, dental and vision insurance, life insurance, disability coverage, retirement and savings benefits, leave benefits such as paid holidays and paid personal leave, transportation subsidies, and education assistance.  For more information, please click here.

Work Environment: Hybrid Office/Telecommute environment, expected onsite percentage 60%, with occasional travel between National Academies’ facilities and to off-site meeting/sponsor locations.