Senior Editor, Social Studies

About the Core Knowledge Foundation

The Core Knowledge Foundation (CKF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to achieving excellence and equity in early childhood and K–12 education. CKF develops and freely distributes curriculum and instructional resources grounded in research on how children learn, with a particular focus on coherent, cumulative knowledge-building.
The Core Knowledge Foundation is seeking a Senior Editor Social Studies to join our editorial team later this summer.
Senior Editor, Social Studies

The senior editor will lead the adaptation and development of a K–8 civics curriculum for a state, owning editorial production from planning through publication and ensuring coherence, alignment with state standards, and adherence to Core Knowledge quality standards, working in close partnership with the Associate Director, State & District Partnerships. The position will also contribute to other social studies curriculum adaptation and development projects and to broader humanities curriculum and instructional resource projects as needs arise and capacity allows.
Reporting to the Managing Editor, Social Studies, the senior editor will manage a project freelance writer and coordinate directly with subject matter experts, copyeditors, and internal and external production teams for the state civics project.
The Senior Editor, Social Studies is a full-time exempt position scheduled to work remotely 40 hours per week. CKF is a hybrid organization with team members working across the country.
The Senior Editor Social Studies collaborates with:
Associate Director, State & District Partnerships
Senior Editor, Social Studies
Junior Editor, Social Studies
Core Knowledge Production Team
Contracted Writers, Editors, Copyeditors, SMEs, Design Support
Primary Responsibilities/General Duties (Including but not limited to):

State Civics Curriculum Project Leadership
Lead editorial production for developing new state-specific units and adapting existing Core Knowledge civics content to create a state-specific K-8 civics curriculum, owning project schedules, workflows, and deliverables for both graphic and written elements from planning through publication
Plan and outline content for student readers, teacher guides, teacher background information, workbooks, and assessments in alignment with the state civics standards and Core Knowledge quality standards
Manage the project freelance writer, including assigning work, providing editorial direction and feedback, and reviewing deliverables for quality and alignment
Coordinate directly with subject matter experts, copyeditors, and production teams to move materials through the development process; ensure adherence to in-house styles, formatting guidelines, and production standards
Coordinate and collaborate with the Associate Director, State & District Partnerships to align content and materials to state-specific standards and adoption requirements
Respond responsibly to state partner editorial requests, escalating to the Managing Editor when appropriate
Monitor project progress and proactively identify and communicate production issues or bottlenecks
Review materials at key development milestones to maintain quality, coherence, and alignment across units and grade levels
Editorial Work (All Projects)
Review and edit manuscripts and page proofs, including but not limited to student readers, teacher guides, workbooks, and assessments
Assess and manage text level complexity in relation to grade or age appropriateness
Monitor materials for content accuracy and adherence to writing standards and conventions
Investigate errata inquiries and submit errata corrections for existing curricular materials
Find or create additional activities to supplement and extend textbook instruction
Work with and provide guidance to internal and external project team members, including but not limited to writers, editors, copyeditors, project managers, and designers
Integrate and apply feedback from Subject Matter Experts
Collaborate with Managing Editor and Senior Editor, Social Studies, to create, codify, and strengthen editorial processes and consistency across projects
Ensure materials adhere to in-house styles and formatting guidelines as they are being developed and refined
Conduct preliminary image research, as needed; write Art Specifications for required illustrations
Contribute to and help guide cover design
Participate in “project kickoff” meetings with development team to determine all aspects of the program, including content, design, and schedules
Review materials prior to submission to printer
Write content as needed for email blasts, website, and promotional flyers
Assist with the development of proposals for new projects and initiatives
Assist with, or lead as appropriate, development of materials for state adoption processes
Contribute to other social studies and humanities curriculum and instructional resource projects as needs arise and capacity allows
Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice, at the manager’s discretion.
Contacts

Core Knowledge Foundation staff members
Outside Partners, such as freelance writers, copyeditors, subject matter experts, and Six Red Marbles or other external development house(s) for layout, art creation, and composition
Typical Physical Demands/Working Conditions

Works remotely or in office environment that may require a stationary position for more than 50% of an 8-hour work day
Sit, stand, bend, reach, climb steps
Communicate by phone, writing, and speaking
Travel

Semi-annual Core Knowledge Foundation staff summits
Bi-annual (every two years) Core Knowledge Conference
Optional travel to conferences
Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in History, Geography, or Humanities
Five or more years of experience developing, reviewing, and writing social studies curriculum for students Grades K-12, including experience with civics content
Demonstrated experience leading discrete curriculum development projects, including managing timelines and coordinating all elements of design/layout and writing/editing
Experience managing or directing freelance writers, graphic designers, or other external contributors
Strong organizational and project management skills; ability to independently plan, track, and complete projects on time within established deadlines
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Knowledge of conventions and standards for English, specifically Chicago-style editing
Accuracy with attention to detail
Ability to edit and proofread one’s own and others’ work
Initiative and sound editorial judgment; ability to work autonomously, anticipate needs, and escalate issues appropriately
Collaborative skills and ability to work effectively in a team capacity and across internal and external contributors
Ability to provide and receive feedback in a positive manner
Desirable educational achievements and career experiences: previous editorial experience in educational publishing; experience with Core Knowledge curricular materials; experience with social studies inquiry frameworks; knowledge of civics education standards or frameworks.