Specialist, Copy Editor - LTE

Pearson•United States,

3d•$25 - $30

About The Position

This role focuses on copy editing within the educational assessment field. The Specialist, Copy Editor will be responsible for ensuring the quality, accuracy, and consistency of assessment content. This includes implementing style guides, performing quality assurance, understanding assessment principles, and utilizing technical platforms. The position also involves collaboration with various teams, potential leadership on projects, and the integration of AI tools into the editorial process.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a related field (e.g., literature, language, journalism) or equivalent certification/on-job training.
Minimum of three years’ editorial experience and two years’ educational assessment experience.
Demonstrates strong end-to-end copyediting proficiency: spelling (interpreting dictionary entries, compounding/hyphenation), grammar and terminology, punctuation, syntax, diction, and usage.
Interprets and applies major style and usage references with confidence (e.g., Chicago Manual of Style, Gregg Reference Manual, Garner’s Modern English Usage, and other industry standards).
Proficient with Adobe Acrobat and various Microsoft Office 365 apps: Word, Outlook, SharePoint, Teams, OneDrive, and Excel.
Understands the basics of HTML/XML for web publishing and adapts to evolving software and requirements.
Communicates clearly and respectfully; listens, synthesizes, and applies information effectively.
Gives and receives feedback constructively; accepts direction and acts on it.
Reliable and organized: meets deadlines with appropriate quality; manages time effectively.
Exercises sound judgment and analytical decision-making; advocates/persuades when necessary and knows when restraint/negotiation is more productive.
Self-managed, resilient, and adaptable to process and duration modifications; works independently when required.
Accountable for editorial proficiency and quality; uses systems correctly; owns errors and identifies root causes.
Demonstrates decency and professionalism: mentors or accepts mentoring; maintains confidentiality, openness, and truthfulness.
Displays curiosity about rules, processes, tools, perspectives, and the broader business context.

Responsibilities

Implements grammar, spelling, usage, punctuation, syntax, and style per department, client, and industry standards; applies rules consistently.
Ensures uniformity and consistency across assessment components; sustains focus and reliably identifies errors throughout the workday while minimizing mistakes.
Exercises good judgment when applying client style guidelines; queries when deviations from style would be appropriate for best outcomes; may create/modify client style guidelines.
Understands the copyeditor’s scope of responsibility, knows what to do when requested to go beyond scope, and flags concerns when needed.
Proactively seeks learning opportunities to strengthen editorial expertise by refining skills, expanding knowledge of style guides, and integrating emerging best practices.
Adheres to quality assurance and quality control steps and review guidelines; recognizes the impact of editorial errors on item/test validity and broader reputational and program risks.
Demonstrates a strong understanding of the application of copyright law in assessment and knows when to escalate concerns.
Understands educational assessment foundations (content standards, alignment, validity, item-level statistics).
Considers assessment design interactions (passage–item relationships, item types, metadata, accommodations) and the impact of editing cross-components.
Demonstrates a strong understanding of assessment best practices (universal design, plain English, accessibility design).
Uses Pearson-preferred applications and platforms (e.g., ABBI, eStyle, Oracle) and demonstrates strong understanding of related publishing workflows (e.g., ABBI interactions with XPRT/TN8, XML issues, MathML); suggests necessary enhancements.
Identifies appropriate digital job aids and documentation and knows when and whom to ask for help or training; may develop job aids and create training for colleagues.
Assists with staff training, including mentoring, seminars, and one-on-one support; engages proactively in Editorial and Assessment Trends channels.
Works collegially across Editorial, Asset Services, Content, CDS, and Pearson; shares essential information across projects and understands the editor’s span of influence.
Works interdepartmentally, contributing to checklists, process documents, fact-checking, item writing, scoring checks, and cross-functional initiatives.
Serves as lead editor when assigned: ensures Editorial obligations are met; coordinates with Content, Program Teams, and other departments and influences program decisions.
Creates effective training/process documents and work logs; reviews/approves schedules (e.g., in Smartsheet).
Coordinates editors’ work, monitors schedules, tracks assets through all phases; communicates status, scope changes, risks, issues, defects, deadlines, resources, and overtime needs to manager.
As a lead editor, makes final editorial decisions on behalf of Editorial and escalates issues to manager in a timely manner and takes responsibility for editorial quality.
Provides lead editor guidance and support to other lead editors.
Leverages AI tools to develop, review, and enhance assessment content that meets quality and accessibility standards; integrates AI-generated assets with appropriate editorial oversight.
Demonstrates proficiency in AI-supported content development; prompts, refines, and evaluates AI outputs; iterates with sound editorial judgment; stays current with emerging AI technologies and adapts as they evolve.
Understands role across CDS and Pearson; aligns with Asset Services, CDS, and Pearson goals and contributes to their fulfillment.
Attends team/town-hall meetings and acts on disseminated information; completes administrative tasks on time (timesheets, goals, surveys, training modules).
Supports efficiency initiatives (standardization, resource sharing, time management and appropriate pace, productivity metrics, hours tracking) and provides training to vendors/contractors when appropriate.
Identifies problems and escalates as appropriate; balances cost, efficiency, schedule impact, and quality to set priorities; champions new technology, tools, and processes to improve efficiency and efficacy.
Maintains appropriate business behaviors (responsive communications, scheduling time-off per protocol, arranging backup coverage); collaborates effectively as a partner or team member.