Editorial Assistant

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign • Urbana, IL

6d • Hybrid

About The Position

The School of Information Sciences at the University of Illinois invites applications from qualified individuals for a 100% full-time Editorial Assistant in the Center for Children’s Books. The iSchool at Illinois makes a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals through teaching, research, and public engagement. Our mission is to lead the way in understanding the use of information in science, culture, society, commerce, and the diverse activities of our daily lives. We engage in inclusive community partnerships, working beyond geographic boundaries to benefit the social good. We believe in the power of information to change the world. The School of Information Sciences is hiring a full-time Civil Service staff to join the Center for Children’s Books as the Editorial Assistant to The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books. The Editorial Assistant is a member of the Center staff and will work closely with the Editor of The Bulletin, managing editorial activities including tracking books and manuscripts, fact-checking, proofreading, and indexing; offering digital support; and communicating with publishers. The ideal candidate will have strong organizational and communication skills, the ability to work independently, and knowledge of children’s and young adult literature.

Requirements

• High school graduation or equivalent
• One (1) year (12 months) of experience in editorial and proofreading work OR college coursework in journalism, communications, English, public relations or a closely related field (30 semester hours equals six months; 60 semester hours or an Associate's degree equals one year).

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in English, Journalism, Communications, or related field
• Two years of professional copy editing or proofreading experience
• Knowledge of Library of Congress subject headings and genre/form terms
• Familiarity with the publishing industry
• Familiarity with children’s and young literature
• Command of grammar and style guides (e.g., AP, Chicago)
• Knowledge and familiarity within digital file management systems (e.g., FileMaker Pro and Microsoft Access)
• Knowledge and familiarity in Microsoft Office Suite, Google Drive, Box and other relevant software
• Ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritize work, and meet deadlines.
• Strong attention to detail and excellent organizational skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication.

Responsibilities

• Fact-check and proofread all submitted book reviews.
• Format and maintain consistent style across all print and digital content for the Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books.
• Index all print and digital content for the Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books.
• Maintain editorial calendar, track deadlines, schedule meetings, and handle correspondence.
• Maintain and update website and social media.
• Manage files and digital content in multiple software programs.
• Communicate with editor, reviewers, and publishers to ensure workflow, consistency, and deadlines.
• Collaborate with staff of the Center for Children’s Books and campus libraries.
• Plan and execute Center for Children’s Book book sales, in collaboration with editor and other staff.
• Duties to support the Bulletin and Center for Children’s Books, as assigned.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity.
• The University of Illinois offers a very competitive benefits portfolio, depending on the position.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED