As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

The College of Education has an outstanding opportunity for Editor to join their team.

The University of Washington (UW) is proud to be one of the nation’s premier educational and research institutions. Our people are the most important asset in our pursuit of achieving excellence in education, research, and community service. Our staff not only enjoy outstanding benefits and professional growth opportunities, but also an environment noted for diversity, community involvement, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits, and natural beauty.

Cultivate Learning fosters the quality that makes access to learning meaningful. Backed by the University of Washington, our research-powered innovations and hands-on partnership create a fertile environment for smarter teaching and learning. We advance opportunity by lowering barriers to entering the profession and guiding educators to success. And we identify the building blocks of quality along with the path to use them – in Washington state and across the country. Every child deserves to flourish from a foundation of quality learning. This core belief drives our work to provide talented learning professional the support they need to build that foundation. At Cultivate Learning, we translate insight into learning opportunity.

Cultivate Learning has an outstanding opportunity for a Lead Editor and Copy Writer

Reporting to the Director of Resource Development, the Lead Editor and Copy Writer will be a key member of the resource development team and will be independently responsible and accountable for implementing Cultivate Learning communications strategy for internal and external constituents, collaborating with writers to clearly tell stories, copy editing and proofreading to support readability and accessibility, maintaining the center-wide writing style guide, and assigning editing tasks to the Cultivate Learning editing team.

The Lead Editor and Copy Writer will be responsible for copy editing and proofreading professional development materials for the early learning and out of school time workforce and for copy writing for internal and external communications as determined by the communications workgroup. Projects include print training materials and courses, video narratives, web page text, social media, email and print communications, and other products used within Washington State and nationally. The Lead Editor and Copy Writer ensures that the writing is free of errors, centers people-first and strengths-based language, is bias free, uses plain language principles, and adheres to the Cultivate Learning style guide. This role will be invaluable to the complete publication process in producing high-quality content and ensuring that the feel and tone are consistent with style and funder guidelines.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

Writing and Communications:

Implement communications strategies set by Creative Director.

Coordinate and edit Cultivate Learning’s external newsletter.

Oversee Cultivating Connections, the internal monthly newsletter, and work with rotating editors to develop news, staff stories, and opportunities for staff interactions.

Write original copy for internal and external communications: newsletters, events, presentations, press releases, speaking points, reports to funders, and more.

In collaboration with the Managing Director and Creative Director, coordinate with College of Education communications office for press outreach.

Foster an engaging work environment across the organization by highlighting projects, products, and developments through Cultivate Learning’s various internal and external channels.

Experiment with ways to inform and engage the staff in Cultivate Learning’s overall mission.

Copy editing:

Continually challenge the use of academic jargon and seek plain language alternatives.

Ensure text is in line with Cultivate Learning style guides - for example, consistent use of acronyms, capital letters, reference styles, and optional spellings.

  Ensure text conveys a professional tone, logically structured, accurate, and has the right style and tone for the intended audience.

Accountable for correcting grammar, spelling, and editing content for overall voice, style, and cohesiveness.

Responsible for checking references, links, figures, etc. within text.

  Format text with table of contents, headers, footers, and headings as needed.

Raise queries with writers when discrepancies arise.

May assist with graphics and photography selection and modifications.

Project management:

Pair editors with subject matter experts at project kick-off to craft messages (educational, internal, and outreach) with simple, consistent, and precise language with their audience top of mind (a reader advocate).

Provide communication templates, resources, and advise staff regarding content for websites, printed materials, University resources, and department standards.

Maintain mailing lists according to University of Washington privacy protocols.

Regularly update style guides and inform staff about changes.

Stay informed about major style debates, changes, and culturally responsive language decisions in style and usage. Stay informed on language use differences, nuances and preferences among Cultivate Learning's partners and seek to align resource development and communications accordingly.

Participate in the University of Washington’s IT Accessibility Liaison group and regularly report relevant tools and tips to the organization.

Twice yearly – co-facilitate Cultivate Learning’s accessibility course.

Distribute and allocate editing jobs – manage editing requests and allocate across Cultivate editing staff.

Other duties as assigned


MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Bachelor’s degree in English, communications, journalism, or a related field, to include 3-5 years of experience in writing, copy editing, grant writing or related experience.

Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.


ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Commitment to equity in early learning and professional development for early care and education providers.

A commitment to working in and fostering a diverse and inclusive environment and ability to acknowledge biases.

Demonstrated commitment to Cultivate Learning’s values of equity, belonging, diversity, quality, innovation, and service through culturally responsive communication processes and practices.

Excellent written English, including good spelling and grammar.

Experience with communication distribution platforms such as Marketo, Mailchimp, or other related platforms.

Basic knowledge of how to implement state and national accessibility standards for digital communications.

Experience creating cross-platform communications for e-blast systems, social media channels, web, and print.

  Experience using web analytics and communications metrics.

Demonstrated ability to successfully collaborate, brainstorm with, and provide constructive feedback to content developers and communications producers.

Ability to work in settings requiring both collaboration and independent work.

Ability to problem solve, take initiative, set priorities, manage multiple projects, and exercise good judgment in a fast paced, dynamic and deadline driven environment in an organized and professional manner.

Excellent interpersonal and teamwork skills.

Excellent follow up and diligence.

Excellent organization and project management skills.

Familiarity with Microsoft, Google and Adobe suite editing tools.

Familiarity with professional style guides (e.g., APA, Chicago).

Required to take University of Washington’s Marketo training.


DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

  Masters degree in English, communications, journalism, or a related field.

Content expertise in early childhood education concepts .

Experience working in a higher education setting.

Experience working in a demanding environment with tight timelines and submittal dates.

Experience copy editing scripts intended for video production.

Experience with InDesign Adobe Creative Suite software.

  Experience with Articulate 360 Instructional Design tools.

Experience with technical writing.


Application Process:   The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process.  These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others.  Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.