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Seasonal Academic Copy Editor Jobs in Silver Spring, MD

Smithsonian Institution

Editor, IS-1082-09

Washington, DC · On-site

$70K - $82K/yr

Editor, IS-1082-09 Application Deadline: 31 August 2026 Department: National Museum of Asian Art ... academic research material) into clear and inviting copy for a variety of audiences, balancing ...

ManTech

Senior Public Affairs Officer

Springfield, VA · On-site

$140K - $224K/yr

... and academic outreach to advance the agency's mission and enhance its public standing ... Provide senior-level copy editing and quality control for all public affairs products while ...

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Seasonal Academic Copy Editor information

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How much do seasonal academic copy editor jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 28, 2026, the average hourly pay for seasonal academic copy editor in Silver Spring, MD is $29.73, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $22.88 and $33.03 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a seasonal academic copy editor?

Seasonal Academic Copy Editors are professionals hired on a temporary or part-time basis, typically during peak academic publishing periods, to review and edit scholarly manuscripts, articles, and academic papers. Their main responsibilities include correcting grammar, punctuation, and formatting errors, ensuring adherence to specific style guides, and improving clarity and flow without altering the author's intended meaning. They often work with universities, academic journals, or publishing houses to help prepare academic content for publication.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a seasonal academic copy editor, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Seasonal Academic Copy Editor, you need excellent command of language, grammar, and academic style guidelines, often supported by a degree in English or a related field. Familiarity with editing tools like Microsoft Word’s Track Changes, style guides such as APA or Chicago, and reference management systems is typically required. Strong attention to detail, time management, and the ability to communicate feedback diplomatically are standout soft skills. These competencies ensure high-quality, error-free academic content delivered on tight deadlines, supporting the integrity and clarity of scholarly publications.

What are the most common challenges faced by a seasonal academic copy editor, and how can they be managed effectively?

One of the main challenges for a Seasonal Academic Copy Editor is managing tight deadlines during peak academic publishing periods, which can lead to high workloads and quick turnaround times. Additionally, editors must stay up-to-date with various citation styles and academic conventions across different disciplines. Effective time management, strong communication with authors and editorial teams, and familiarity with style guides help mitigate these challenges. Taking advantage of digital tools for editing and organization can also streamline the workflow.

What is the difference between Seasonal Academic Copy Editor vs Academic Editor?

AspectSeasonal Academic Copy EditorAcademic Editor
CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor's degree in English, journalism, or related field; editing certifications are a plusUsually holds advanced degrees (Master's or PhD) in relevant fields; strong editing certifications
Work EnvironmentTemporary, seasonal projects often for educational publishers or academic journalsLong-term or project-based roles in academic publishing, universities, or research institutions
Employer & IndustryEducational publishers, academic journals, universitiesAcademic publishing houses, research institutions, universities
Search & Comparison IntentPeople comparing seasonal editing roles in academia with full-time academic editing

The Seasonal Academic Copy Editor typically works on short-term, seasonal projects requiring strong editing skills and relevant credentials. In contrast, an Academic Editor often holds advanced degrees and works in long-term roles within academic publishing or research institutions. Both roles demand excellent editing abilities, but their employment duration and scope differ.

What are the most commonly searched types of Academic Copy Editor jobs in Silver Spring, MD?

The most popular types of Academic Copy Editor jobs in Silver Spring, MD are:

What are popular job titles related to Seasonal Academic Copy Editor jobs in Silver Spring, MD?

For Seasonal Academic Copy Editor jobs in Silver Spring, MD, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Seasonal Academic Copy Editor jobs in Silver Spring, MD look for?

The top searched job categories for Seasonal Academic Copy Editor jobs in Silver Spring, MD are:

What cities near Silver Spring, MD are hiring for Seasonal Academic Copy Editor jobs?

Cities near Silver Spring, MD with the most Seasonal Academic Copy Editor job openings:

Seasonal Academic Copy Editor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Seasonal Academic Copy Editor job openings in Silver Spring, MD as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 72% Full Time, 7% Part Time, 12% Temporary, and 8% Contract. Highlights an 82% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 17% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $61,829 per year, or $29.7 per hour.

Scientific & Technical Editor (Technical Writer/Editor II)

FedWriters, Inc.

Silver Spring, MD • On-site

$56K - $59K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 29 days ago

Job description

Overview

You are the person who reads a 40-page technical report and immediately sees both the science and the story - and knows exactly how to make the writing do justice to both. As a Scientific & Technical Editor supporting NOAA's Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR), you will serve as the quality and clarity backbone for OAR's external-facing written communications, working across headquarters, labs, and programs to review, copy edit, and improve technical products for plain language, scientific accuracy, and consistent tone. You will help draft and enforce OAR-wide writing and editing guidelines, train staff on best practices, and refresh aging web content to meet updated style standards. This is a role for an experienced editor who brings both the technical literacy to understand what scientists are saying and the craft to help them say it more clearly - someone who takes pride in making every document they touch smarter, sharper, and more accessible.

FWI is expanding rapidly and has been recognized as a 2024 and 2025 Top Workplace by the Washington Post, offering excellent growth opportunities in a collaborative environment.

Work Schedule and Location:

Remote:

  • This position is primarily remote with ad hoc in-person support at SSMC3, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 as needed
  • Normal work hours are Monday through Friday, 8 hours per day / 40 hours per week, excluding federal holidays
  • Local and non-local travel may be required, including international travel; all unplanned travel must be approved in writing by the COR at least 10 calendar days in advance
Responsibilities
  • Review, copy edit, and improve existing and draft technical products, external reports, outreach products, and internal memos for plain language, technical accuracy, and consistent tone, voice, and style
  • Work with the OAR Communications Director to revise and maintain guidelines on best practices for writing and editing within OAR
  • Distribute resources and train OAR staff across headquarters, labs, and programs on best practices for writing, editing, and plain language communication
  • Research and write content for pamphlets, summary reports, and other products intended for hardcopy publication
  • Revisit and update older website content, applying newly revised style guidelines with emphasis on technical accuracy, consistency, and tone
  • Make edits and updates to websites, including changes to images and content formatting
  • Document workflows and maintain organized files containing data associated with editorial products and review processes
  • Develop, writes, and edits material for reports, manuals, briefs, proposals, instruction books, and related environmental and scientific publications
  • Ensure proper cross-referencing, user-friendly presentation, and adherence to all applicable indexing and formatting guidelines across all products
Qualifications

Required: 

  • BA/BS in English, Journalism, a scientific or environmental discipline, or a closely related technical field; advanced degrees or certifications may qualify for shorter periods of required experience
  • 8+ years of professional and/or academic experience in technical writing, editing, or science communications

Desired: 

  • Demonstrated experience copy editing and improving scientific or technical documents for federal agencies, research institutions, or peer-reviewed publications
  • Expert command of plain language principles, federal plain language guidelines, and science communication best practices
  • Experience developing, maintaining, and training staff on organization-wide writing and editorial style guides
  • Familiarity with web content editing, including experience making updates to CMS-based websites and applying accessibility and formatting standards
  • Strong technical literacy; ability to read and accurately represent scientific content across multiple NOAA research disciplines
  • Experience managing editorial workflows across distributed, multi-site organizations
  • May supervise a team of writers or act in a lead editorial capacity across a program or organization
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a Low-risk federal security clearance

FWI is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/vets. 

Why Join Our Team

At FWI, we place the highest importance on creating an exceptional employee experience. You'll have opportunities to achieve your career aspirations through internal promotions, professional development, and other recognition and rewards programs. Join our team and take advantage of the many benefits we offer, including:

  • Health Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Long-term and Short-term Disability Insurance
  • Life Insurance
  • 401(k) Plan
  • Holiday Pay
  • Paid Time Off
Pay Range

$56,095.20 - $59,047.58 

Employment Type: FULL_TIME

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