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Managing Editor

SEG, Houston, Texas, United States, 77246

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The Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG) is a global professional society dedicated to advancing applied geophysics and connecting geoscientists worldwide. With members in more than 100 countries, SEG supports technical excellence through publications, conferences, professional development, and digital communities. For more than 90 years, SEG has fostered knowledge exchange, innovation, and leadership across subsurface science, energy systems, and emerging technologies.

Position Summary: Lead staff and guide volunteers in publishing monthly issues of The Leading Edge (TLE) on deadline, within budget, and to high standards of quality. Formulate policies and plans, assist in the development of short- and long-term strategies, and direct editorial activities for the publication. Manage the publication of conference and workshop proceedings.

Supervisory Responsibility: Manager

Essential Functions:

Serve as the primary staff liaison to the TLE Editorial Board. Facilitate publication of technical papers to high standards of quality in concert with volunteer editors, outside vendors, and authors. Arrange and oversee quarterly Editorial Board meetings for TLE.

Solicit and field submissions of nontechnical articles for TLE from geoscientists, Society leadership, and staff; review submitted nontechnical articles to determine if appropriate; and distribute selected nontechnical articles to TLE Editorial Board for further review when necessary.

Review editing and layout of approved technical and nontechnical articles to ensure that material is accurate, clearly presented, and conforms to SEG policies and journal style.

Proofread and approve page layouts of all articles before publication.

Write articles when appropriate (e.g., profiles of distinguished members, SEG history, conference previews).

Coordinate and manage publication of the SEG SmartBrief e-newsletter by acting as the primary point of contact between SmartBrief editorial and advertising staff and SEG.

Responsible for the production and publication of annual expanded abstracts collections, including IMAGE Technical Program Expanded Abstracts (600+ papers, ~300+ presentation files). Produce collections for Global Meeting Abstracts (expanded abstracts from meetings of select affiliated societies, ~10 collections/year). After obtaining appropriately formatted files and permissions, edit or arrange for editing of references and keywords, prepare and edit metadata, and apply graphical processes as necessary, either directly, in cooperation with other staff, or in support and oversight of vendors.

Ability to travel to SEG conferences occasionally and assist other staff with publications-specific events and attractions.

Experience Required Minimum five years’ experience in all editorial areas (particularly editing and writing), preferably in peer-reviewed scholarly publications. Supervisory experience preferred. The position requires proficiency in Microsoft Office and Adobe software, with particular emphasis on Acrobat and InDesign, basic knowledge of html to periodically update customer-facing portions of the TLE website. Knowledge of xml coding and familiarity with publishing platforms preferred.

Education, Certifications, and Specialized Training Bachelor’s degree in journalism, English, or a related field is required. College-level training in geophysics or a related field is preferred.

Job-Specific Skills and Knowledge

Ability to coordinate with outside vendors.

Advanced editorial production management skills; demonstrated ability to work efficiently under tight deadlines.

Advanced written journalistic communication skills are required, as are well-developed oral and interpersonal skills for managing internal and external contacts.

Advanced ability to use complex functions of e-mail, word-processing, page-layout, and spreadsheet software.

Advanced knowledge of English usage.

Familiarity with Chicago Manual of Style.

Ability to understand and edit articles on technical subjects.

Core Competencies (Included on all position descriptions) These are behavioral characteristics identified for success as an employee at SEG.

Integrity Acts in ways that demonstrate personal integrity and serves as a positive example of why others should trust the motives of the organization. Views himself or herself as a reflection of the organization by following through on commitments and accepting ownership of any mistakes. Leaves others with the clear impression that integrity is a core value at this organization.

Respect Demonstrates a genuine interest in the thoughts, opinions, values, and needs of co-workers and customers and views differences in these areas as both inevitable and acceptable. Avoids speaking, writing, or doing other things that could be seen as disrespectful of people in their absence (or behind their backs). Recognizes and shows respect for the strengths and contributions of others.

Service Personally demonstrates that external (or internal) customers are a high priority. Identifies customer needs and expectations and responds to them in a timely and effective manner. Anticipates and prevents delays or other things that can adversely affect the customer. Keeps customers informed about the status of pending actions and inquiries about customer satisfaction with products or services.

Teamwork Is an effective team player who adds complementary skills and contributes valuable ideas, opinions, and feedback. Communicates in an open and candid manner and can be counted on to fulfill any commitments made to others on the team.

Communication Communicates effectively and appropriately. Uses good judgment as to what to communicate to whom as well as the best way to get that accomplished. Speaks in a clear and credible manner, selecting the right tone for the situation and audience. Listens to others and allows them to make their point.

Establishing Focus Establishes a clear and realistic sense of direction by clarifying organizational goals as well as how employee roles and responsibilities contribute to them. Ensures that departmental goals match those of the larger organization and that resources are allocated to meet priorities. Maintains staff motivation and focus on goals and priorities throughout the year.

Managing Employee Performance Takes action to ensure that employees fully understand their roles, responsibilities, and performance standards/expectations and provides ongoing feedback and support as employees strive to achieve expectations. Engages in two-way conversations through 1:1 meetings throughout the year that ensure an up-to-date understanding of expectations, performance gaps, and actions required to close any gaps.

Budgeting Creates and adheres to realistic budgets in a manner that helps achieve the organization’s objectives. Tracks expenses against the budget frequently enough to make adjustments at the optimum time. Communicates budget concerns and adjustments to all appropriate stakeholders so that they can adapt their plans and expectations.

Building Trust Builds and maintains trust with members of his or her team, as well as with stakeholders outside the team. Accomplishes this through open and honest communications and by following through on all commitments made. Has earned the respect of team members and other stakeholders.

Implementing Policies Ensures that new policies are understood and taken seriously. Communicates new policies and procedures to employees, supports them with adequate and timely resources, and monitors actual practices in a manner that makes it clear that full compliance is expected. Avoids behavior or communications that might send a mixed message about the importance of new procedures or suggest that full compliance is optional.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions Must be able to perform work indoors in climate-controlled private work area with minimal noise, performing primarily sedentary work with limited physical exertion and routine lifting of up to 10 lbs. Must be able to operate routine office equipment, including telephone, copier, facsimile, and computer. Must be able to routinely perform work on a computer for an average of 6-8 hours per day, when necessary. Must be able to work extended hours whenever required or requested by management. Must be capable of regular and reliable attendance.

When attendance at Society-sponsored conference(s) is required, one must be capable of moving around and working on exhibit floors for extended time periods.

Employees with disabilities must meet qualification standards that are job-related and consistent with business necessity and must be able to perform the “essential functions” of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation. Regular attendance is an essential function of this position.

Mental and Emotional Requirements Must be able to perform job functions with supervision. Must be able to carry out various written instructions and follow oral instructions. Must be able to speak clearly and deliver information in a logical and understandable sequence. Must be capable of dealing calmly and professionally with numerous different personalities from diverse cultures at various levels within and outside of the organization. Must be able to perform responsibilities with composure under the stress of deadlines, requirements for accuracy and quality, and/or fast pace. Must be capable of exercising the highest level of discretion on both internal and external confidential matters and conducting himself/herself with sensitivity to both political and personnel issues.

This position description is intended as a summary and not an all-inclusive list of the job requirements.

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