Book Development Editor

American Counseling Association • Alexandria, VA

313d

About The Position

The American Counseling Association (ACA) is the world’s largest organization representing professional counselors in various practice settings. Our vision is that every person has access to quality professional counseling to thrive. Our mission is to promote the professional development of counselors, advocate for the profession, and ensure ethical, culturally-inclusive practice. We value Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Integrity, Proactive Leadership, Professional Community & Relationships, Scientific Practice & Knowledge, and Social Justice & Empowerment. All ACA team members are encouraged, supported, and expected to demonstrate The Way We Work Values: Be Flexible, Be Creative, Be Empowered, Be Inquisitive, Be Collaborative, and Be Respectful. As the Book Development Editor, you are a key contributor to the success of ACA’s book and scholarly publishing program. You ensure the quality and accuracy of our publications by overseeing the editorial development process from manuscript to final production. Your responsibilities include copyediting, coordinating ISBN assignments and the CIP process, and responding to inquiries about ACA’s publication guidelines. Drawing on your editorial expertise, you collaborate with authors and contributors to refine content, conduct detailed proofreading, and uphold publishing standards. You bring creativity and initiative to special projects, contributing ideas that strengthen ACA’s publishing efforts and expand our reach. Your commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access is embedded in your work, helping ensure our publications reflect and serve the diverse voices within the counseling profession. Through your attention to detail and dedication to publishing excellence, you play an essential role in advancing ACA’s mission to provide high-quality resources for counselors and mental health professionals.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in English, Journalism, Communications, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in book publishing, academic publishing, or scholarly communications, with a focus on editorial functions such as developmental editing, copyediting, proofreading, and content development.
• Expertise in applying editorial style guides, including APA Style (latest edition) and The Chicago Manual of Style, with the ability to adapt to and enforce house style guidelines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity with publishing and editorial tools such as Adobe Acrobat, editorial tracking software, or content management systems.
• Exceptional attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines in a fast-paced publishing environment.
• Strong writing, editing, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with authors, contributors, and internal stakeholders.
• Creative problem-solver with a passion for publishing, content development, and contributing to the growth and impact of ACA’s book publishing program.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access (DEIA), with the ability to integrate these principles into editorial work and author relations.
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and adapt to changing project needs.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a small, dynamic publications team.
• Familiarity with the counseling profession, mental health fields, or academic publishing is a plus, but not required.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with the counseling profession, mental health fields, or academic publishing is a plus, but not required.

Responsibilities

• Ensure the quality and editorial integrity of all book publications.
• Perform precise copyediting across a diverse range of scholarly and professional books.
• Conduct detailed line editing to refine grammar, punctuation, and overall clarity.
• Review manuscripts for coherence, consistency, and factual accuracy.
• Verify that all required manuscript elements are complete and prepared for smooth typesetting and production.
• Clean and format files to align with APA style and ACA house style guidelines.
• Identify and address issues with visual materials, such as improperly formatted images, tables, or figures and work with authors and Digital Publishing Specialist to ensure compliant visual materials.
• Notify the Director of Publications when reused content requires copyright permissions or clearance.
• Communicate clearly, professionally, and supportively with authors, contributors, and colleagues.
• Oversee ISBN assignment and coordinate the Cataloging in Publication (CIP) process.
• Contribute to special projects and new initiatives as assigned.
• Apply diversity, equity, inclusion, and access (DEIA) principles to all aspects of editorial work.
• Support the Publications team by responding to inquiries in the shared inbox.
• Foster a collaborative, solutions-oriented approach within the team, proactively addressing challenges and contributing ideas.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree