Production Editor
Content Services Online, United States Boston, Massachusetts
Description
The Production Editor works in a fast-paced, highly technical environment where traditional skills such as excellent grammar and copyediting ability, highly effective communications, page layout, and proofing are combined with talent and interest in the tools that enable innovative new learning products: skills that include HTML and CSS, web publishing experience, and working familiarity with Git or other version control systems.
O’Reilly is constantly experimenting with new workflows, tools, and processes to support the learning needs of our customers, and we need talented people that mix these skills and have the flexibility and curiosity to explore the future with us.
You’ll work directly with authors and editors to transform draft content into high-quality learning products in a wide range of formats.
Successful candidates are comfortable working in a technical environment and they enjoy being given new challenges and pushed in new directions.
You will work daily in O’Reilly’s proprietary authoring platform: Atlas (http://docs.atlas.oreilly.com/).
Some knowledge of HTML, CSS, XML, or AsciiDoc highly preferred.
Production Editors should enjoy working in markup languages, have a desire to learn and apply technical skills related to cutting-edge publishing tools, and have excellent grammar and project management skills.
We need people that thrive in sometimes chaotic conditions and that can keep track of myriad details while focusing on the customer.
Daily activities include but are not limited to proofreading, entering edits into source files, creating schedules, and coordinating vendors.
The Production Editor is responsible for keeping freelancers and vendors on schedule and maintaining O’Reilly’s quality standards throughout the production process.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Ensure high-quality production for O’Reilly products by performing or overseeing all steps of the production process, including copyediting, proofreading, indexing, composition, and quality control.
Create production schedules; oversee complete production cycles; report book statuses at weekly production meetings.
Prepare files for print and publication in various digital formats, relying on the daily use of technical tools and workflows involving HTML, AsciiDoc, XML, InDesign, and basic command line tools.
Serve as the main point of contact for authors during production, clearly communicate due dates and guidelines for review stages and answer production-related questions or concerns.
Implement and maintain proper markup and tagging of book files to ensure that files can be repurposed for ebooks and other O’Reilly digital products.
Perform quality checks on other production editors’ projects.
Work with freelancers and vendors on various production-related tasks, such as copyediting, proofreading, indexing, and illustrations, and provide feedback on their performance to the Vendor Coordinator.
Work with various internal departments (editorial, manufacturing, marketing) to ensure all books and ebooks are completed in a timely manner.
Help evaluate technological advancements (software applications and tools) in the Content Services department.
Support the production department by monitoring costs and suggesting ways to improve performance, efficiency, and processes.
Mentor new members of the department and work with the Vendor Coordinator to help train new vendors and freelancers.
Leverage support from other internal and external groups such as tools specialists, technical illustrators, designers, other production editors, and indexers.
Contribute to documentation of production processes on O’Reilly’s internal wiki.
ABOUT YOU
Strong working knowledge of publication production processes, including copyediting, proofreading, typesetting, indexing, technical illustration, and page layout General knowledge of book design and formatting, including theory and good practice General knowledge of various digital channels and formats, and how the production process affects those products downstream Strong familiarity with the Chicago Manual of Style preferred Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously, with changing and sometimes overlapping priorities Ability to work effectively and professionally with internal and external contacts with varying degrees of technical expertise, talents, and work styles, including challenging and/or demanding authors Excellent written and verbal communication skills Strong skills in markup languages (HTML, AsciiDoc, etc.) or InDesign and/or XML editing tools for typesetting Strong skills in Adobe Acrobat Good technical skills and curiosity
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
4-year college degree in communications, publishing, or other related field, or a combination of relevant education and experience 2 years work experience in the publishing industry Previous experience using the command line, exposure to XML, and some InDesign experience preferred.
ABOUT O’REILLY MEDIA
O’Reilly’s mission is to change the world by sharing the knowledge of innovators.
For over 40 years, we’ve inspired companies and individuals to do new things-and do things better-by providing them with the skills and understanding that’s necessary for success.
At the heart of our business is a unique network of experts and innovators who share their knowledge through us.
O’Reilly Learning offers exclusive live training, interactive learning, a certification experience, books, videos, and more, making it easier for our customers to develop the expertise they need to get ahead.
And our books have been heralded for decades as the definitive place to learn about the technologies that are shaping the future.
Everything we do is to help professionals from a variety of fields learn best practices and discover emerging trends that will shape the future of the tech industry.
Our customers are hungry to build the innovations that propel the world forward.
And we help you do just that.
Learn more: https://www.oreilly.com/about/
DIVERSITY
At O’Reilly, we believe that true innovation depends on hearing from, and listening to, people with a variety of perspectives.
We want our whole organization to recognize, include, and encourage people of all races, ethnicities, genders, ages, abilities, religions, sexual orientations, and professional roles.
Learn more: https://www.oreilly.com/diversity