The Urban Institute
Editorial Specialist (Office of Communications) (Media)
At the nonprofit Urban Institute, we believe in the power of evidence to improve lives and strengthen communities. Our employees are empowered to open minds, shape decisions, and offer solutions. We encourage intellectual honesty, innovation, diversity, and mutual respect, and our analysis elevates the debate, wherever it takes place.
Urban's greatest asset is our people. We strive to attract and cultivate a vibrant, creative, and diverse community. Our employees drive Urban's mission through entrepreneurship, innovation, leadership, effective communication, results-orientation, and relationship cultivation. Our success depends on engaging individuals who possess and value these attributes.
The Urban Institute has built a cutting-edge in-house Communications team that translates research for broad audiences. As part of those efforts, Urban is hiring two Editorial Specialists to take on a portfolio of research and communications products.
Urban's Department of Editorial Services and Publications is seeking smart, creative, and capable editorial specialists (on-site or remote). You will be an essential part of a dynamic and productive editorial team, working on highly cited content that shapes national discussion.
Responsibilities:
Copyedit Urban Institute research publications, including policy briefs, research reports, narrative features, data tools, newsletters, presentations, and public testimonies.
Build and manage relationships with researchers, data scientists, and other members of the Communications Department, including members of the outreach, digital communications, design, data visualization, and writing teams.
Lay out and format research publications in Word.
Uphold Urban style and quality standards in print and digital products.
Ensure that Urban products meet the organization's standards for writing about racial equity and using respectful language.
Perform quality checks on files uploaded to Urban's document management system.
Work with the visuals team on basic graphic design needs for publications.
Successful candidates will have:
A bachelor's degree in English, Communications, or a related field OR a combination of equivalent academic and work experience
Two to three years of experience or training in copyediting, proofreading, and/or publications production
In-depth knowledge of the Chicago Manual of Style (familiarity with Bluebook is also helpful)
A keen and careful editorial eye that can spot minor errors and inconsistencies in long, dense publications
The ability to read, analyze, and interpret research reports and have a firm grasp of English grammar and punctuation rules
Basic design skills and experience with layout and formatting in Microsoft Word
Strong interpersonal and communication skills and have the ability to collaborate with researchers and a range of staff
The ability to meet tight deadlines, work independently, and juggle multiple projects
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Word, and Excel, as well as Adobe Acrobat
In addition, familiarity with basic graphic-design requirements for print and digital products and knowledge of InDesign or another desktop publishing design software is preferred, but not required.
Working in the Nation's Capital, the epicenter of public policy among a network of policy experts, you can expect to have an impact on policy areas you care about and work with great colleagues who are smart, mission-driven, and collaborative. You will blend academic rigor with on-the-ground collaboration, be encouraged and supported to fulfill your potential through meaningful work that matters, and enjoy a welcoming workplace free from harassment, discrimination and intolerance.
In addition, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes: medical, dental, disability, and life insurance coverage. Competitive paid time off allowance, and eligibility to participate in a generous retirement savings plan and reimbursable commuting expense program.
The Urban Institute is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity without regard for race, ethnicity, gender, protected veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other protected status under applicable law.
The Urban Institute is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer Minorities/Women/Disabilities/Veterans.