Position: Copy Editor II

Position Summary:

The Copy Editor II is responsible for drafting, copyediting, manuscript formatting, and proofreading of day-to-day outgoing office correspondence and publications. The employee in this classification provides administrative support to the director; coordinates all clerical and administrative services as it relates to communication and/or publication; and initiates and controls ongoing reporting, publishing, and communication functions within the department of Testing, Research, and Evaluation. The nature of the work performed requires executive-level secretarial service, strong editorial review quality, and thorough knowledge of Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) organization. The Copy Editor II handles highly confidential material, and works closely with departmental staff, administrators and high-level officials in PGCPS; and exercises considerable initiative, sensitivity, sound judgment, and possesses strong communication and interpersonal skills. In addition, is able to perform general clerical office duties to include operation of office equipment, Microsoft Office Suite, Google Mail, answering telephones, taking messages, greeting visitors, photocopying, assembling materials, and maintaining files. The employee in this classification works independently to see that assigned tasks are completed and receives general supervision from the Director.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provides drafting, copyediting, manuscript formatting, and proofreading of day-to-day outgoing office correspondence and publications of evaluation and research briefs, articles, or documents;
• Provides secretarial support to the director;
• Works with staff to draft acknowledgments, prepare reports, databases, spreadsheets, charts, and graphs;
• Reviews drafts and final copies of materials sent to schools, offices, Board of Education, elected officials, and community from various departments, divisions, and offices;
• Reviews edits outgoing correspondence and material for format, clarity of thought and accuracy, and compliance with Board policies;
• Meets strict deadlines, handles highly confidential material, and works closely with administrators and high-level officials in PGCPS;
• Exercises considerable initiative, sensitivity, sound judgment, and possess strong communication and interpersonal skills;
• Receives visitors and telephone inquiries; ascertains nature of calls, determines appropriate person to handle inquiry/issue or refer to other staff members; takes notes from individuals or groups;
• Contacts registers and counselors in other school districts to obtain data for entry into computer files; 
• Collaborates with registrars, counselors, and school test coordinators in PGCPS to obtain and verify data related to graduation standards; and
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Considerable knowledge of business English, spelling, general vocabulary, punctuation, and arithmetic;
• Considerable knowledge of modern office practices and procedures;
• Ability to work independently to see that assigned tasks are completed;
• Thorough knowledge of the general organization and functions of Prince George’s County Public School System;
• Ability to work collaboratively and to carry out continuing assignments requiring the organization of materials, the handling of administrative details, the preparation of reports with minimal supervision;
• Ability to properly handle confidential information;
• Ability to use independent judgment and discretion in performing duties;
• Ability to operate word processing, database and spreadsheet applications, and other personal computing equipment to complete complex word-processing tasks;
• Strong proofreading, editing, communication, and interpersonal skills;
• Knowledge of the seven core competencies of the Supporting Services Professional Growth System (SSPGS); and
• Must have demonstrated copyediting and proofreading experience.

Education and/or Experience Requirements:

Completion of high school diploma or GED required. Associates degree preferred. Minimum three years of extensive copy editor and administrative work experience, (preferably with PGCPS or other school systems) with school or central office experience and college-level course work in Business Administration desirable; or any equivalent combinations of education and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Certification:

None required.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

No direct supervisory responsibilities.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, talk, hear, walk, sit, and use fingers, tools or controls. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision such as to read handwritten or typed material, the ability to adjust focus, and depth perception. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally push or lift up to 25 lbs.

Working Environment:

The work environment characteristics are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job.

Additional Information:

None.