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Temporary Copy Editor Proofreader Jobs in Virginia

Excellent writing and editing skills with the ability to create concise, compelling marketing copy ... Knowledge of printing, postal requirements, proofing, print production timelines, mailing lists ...

Excellent writing and editing skills with the ability to create concise, compelling marketing copy ... Knowledge of printing, postal requirements, proofing, print production timelines, mailing lists ...

Temporary Copy Editor Proofreader information

What is a temporary copy editor proofreader?

Temporary Copy Editor Proofreaders are professionals hired on a short-term basis to review, edit, and correct written materials for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and consistency. They work on a variety of documents such as articles, marketing materials, reports, or books, ensuring that the final content is clear, accurate, and error-free. Temporary roles are often filled to cover for staff absences, handle peak workloads, or assist with special projects. These professionals need strong attention to detail, excellent language skills, and the ability to work efficiently under tight deadlines.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a temporary copy editor proofreader?

To thrive as a Temporary Copy Editor Proofreader, you need exceptional grammar, spelling, and punctuation skills, typically backed by a degree in English, journalism, or a related field. Familiarity with style guides (such as AP or Chicago), editing software like Microsoft Word and Adobe Acrobat, and content management systems is important. Strong attention to detail, time management, and the ability to communicate constructive feedback are standout soft skills. These competencies ensure that content is accurate, polished, and delivered efficiently within tight deadlines.

What are common challenges faced by temporary copy editor proofreaders, and how can they be managed?

Temporary Copy Editor Proofreaders often encounter tight deadlines and a high volume of content that must be reviewed quickly and accurately. It can be challenging to adapt to varying editorial styles, house guidelines, and expectations at new organizations. Successful candidates manage these challenges by staying organized, asking clarifying questions early, and leveraging checklists or style guides provided by the team. Building strong communication with writers and permanent editorial staff is also key to ensuring consistency and resolving ambiguities efficiently.

What is the difference between Temporary Copy Editor Proofreader vs Temporary Content Writer?

AspectTemporary Copy Editor ProofreaderTemporary Content Writer
Primary RoleReview and correct written content for grammar, style, and accuracyCreate original content for various platforms
Skills & CertificationsStrong editing, proofreading, and language skills; often a background in English or journalismExcellent writing, research, and storytelling skills; often a degree in communications or related fields
Work EnvironmentTypically in publishing, media, or corporate settingsMarketing agencies, media companies, or freelance projects
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in publishing, editing, and media industriesUsed in content marketing, advertising, and digital media

While both roles involve strong writing skills, a Temporary Copy Editor Proofreader focuses on refining existing content for clarity and correctness, whereas a Temporary Content Writer creates new content from scratch. Understanding these differences helps employers and job seekers target the right opportunities in the publishing and media industries.

What are the most commonly searched types of Copy Editor Proofreader jobs in Virginia?

The most popular types of Copy Editor Proofreader jobs in Virginia are:

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Temporary Copy Editor Proofreader jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Temporary Copy Editor Proofreader job openings:

Temporary News Editor (6 months)

Politico

Rosslyn, VA • On-site

$120K - $130K/yr

Full-time

Posted 21 days ago


Job description

Job Description:

POLITICO isseekingan experienced, versatile editor to join our newsroom on asix-month contractsupporting our Breaking and White House teams.

This editor will help drive coverage of the biggest political stories of the day, from the White House to Congress to the campaign trail, during one of the busiest stretches of the 2026 midterm cycle. The role is designed for an editor with exceptional news judgment, sharp editingskillsand the ability to move seamlessly between fast-paced breaking news and deeply reported enterprise.

The editor will spend weekends helping lead POLITICO's Breaking desk and will support weekday editing across both the Breaking and White House teams. Responsibilities include assigning and editing storiesand newsletters, working closely with reporters to sharpen coverage, coordinating with homepage and audience teams, and helping ensure POLITICO is fast,accurateand competitive on the biggest stories.

This is a six-month contract position based in Virginia, New York or California.

Schedule:

Monday-Wednesday: 12:30pm-8:30pm

Saturday: 9:00am-5:00pm

Sunday: 10:00am-6:00pm

Who You Are:

  • You thrive in a fast-moving news environment and enjoy making quick, smart editorial decisions
  • You'rea strong line editor who can improve copy while preserving reporters' voices
  • You have excellent news judgment and know how to prioritize competing stories
  • You'recollaborative, calm underpressureand comfortable working across multiple teams
  • You'readaptable and can quickly become fluent in new beats and workflows
  • You'recomfortable workingindependentlywhile coordinating with editors across the newsroom

What You'll Do:

  • Edit and publish breaking news, enterprisestoriesand newsletters
  • Assign stories and help shape coverage throughout your shifts
  • Work closely with reporters to strengthen reporting,framingand structure
  • Coordinate with editors across the newsroom to ensure comprehensive coverage of major news events
  • HelpmaintainPOLITICO's standards for speed, accuracy,fairnessand clarity
  • Collaborate with homepage,audienceand production teams to maximize the impact of our journalism
  • Help lead weekend breaking news coverage and support weekday editing across the Breaking and White House teams

What You'll Need:

  • 5+ years of professional journalism experience, including significant editing experience
  • Excellent editing, headlinewritingand story framing skills
  • Strong news judgment and experience covering fast-moving news
  • Experience assigning stories and working directly with reporters
  • Ability to juggle multiple priorities and meet tight deadlines
  • Experience with digital publishing platforms and content management systems
  • Familiarity with national politics or Washington coverage is strongly preferred

Compensation:

  • $120,000-$130,000 Annual Base (prorated over six-month term)

    The final salary offered will be based on factors including relevant experience, skills, and qualifications.

We value our people. Clickherefor more on what we offer and whatit'slike to work for POLITICO.

Let'skeep in touch. You can view our list of open positionshere. We hope to see your application soon!

About Us.

POLITICO illuminates the forces shaping global power. Since 2007, we have delivered intelligence thatanticipatestomorrow's headlines, not reports on yesterday's news. As politics has increasingly become the defining force of our era, our work has never been more vital.

Cabinet secretaries and Ministers start their mornings with our analysis. CEOs shape strategy around our reporting. Advocacy leaders rely on our insights to move policy. We deliver the straightforward facts and clear-eyed analysis they need to navigate the most complex political landscape of our lifetimes.

Our 1,100+ publishing professionals across the world's key democratic capitals-Washington, Brussels, London, Paris, Berlin, Sacramento, and New York-form the world's premier politics and policy newsroom. We tell the story of how power really works by explaining who wields it and how they plan to exercise it, connecting dots others miss and delivering scoops from sources othersdon'teven know exist.

Innovation has always been a core tenet of our story. At launch, we bet that depth would trump scale, that talent would trump traffic, and that politics would become central to modern life. In 2011, we made another bet and launched POLITICO Pro to help decision-makers understand thebusiness of government, transforming both how they shape government action and the business of journalism itself.

These bets have made POLITICO the most successful digital news startup of its generation and the indispensable resource for leaders who shape the future. Today, we are a rarity inmedia: a growing, profitable, and sustainable news organization.

POLITICO is a subsidiary of Axel Springer SE, a family-owned transatlantic media company headquartered in Berlin and New York. Axel Springer is dedicated to shaping the future of journalism in the free world, believing that a free and informed society is essential to democracy. The company's guiding principles - first articulated asThe Essentialsby founder Axel Springer in the aftermath of World War II - remain a cornerstone of the company's foundation today.Learn more about Axel Springer.

Posting date:

2026-07-31

Title:

Temporary News Editor (6 months)