Description
The Massachusetts Historical Society seeks a full-time Editorial Assistant to work with its Adams Papers and Publications departments. An independent research library and major repository of American manuscript materials, the Society was founded in 1791 to collect, preserve, and make available resources for the study of American history. Since 1954 the Adams Papers has published over fifty volumes of the diaries, letters, and other writings of the Adams family of Massachusetts; currently, we publish two letterpress series (Adams Family Correspondence and Papers of John Adams) and two digital editions (Adams Papers Digital Edition and John Quincy Adams Digital Diary Project). The Publications Department is responsible for production of the Society’s journal (Massachusetts Historical Review) and newsletter (MHS Miscellany) as well as print and digital book titles, including documentary editions of a Wampanoag vocabulary (a digital edition) and the journal of Caroline Dall (letterpress edition).

The Editorial Assistant contributes to the production and development of MHS publications by providing half-time editorial and administrative support to two departments. Editorial duties involve all aspects of production, including copyediting, typesetting, proofreading, fact checking, and communicating with vendors and authors. Administrative duties include assisting with grant reporting, file management, fielding reference questions, managing book and periodical back stock, and maintaining a subscription database. The successful candidate must be dedicated to producing work that meets the high standards set by the institution. The work requires an extreme attention to detail and a desire to collaborate with coworkers on work plans, problem-solving, and delivering the final product. This full-time position with benefits is a one-year grant-funded position, renewable subject to continued funding.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in American history or related field.
• Experience with editorial work, including strong copyediting skills, familiarity with style guides (Chicago preferred), and a strong grasp of rules of grammar and style.
• Willingness to learn new technologies for publishing and master new skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with colleagues, editors, authors, and vendors.

Job applicants invited for an interview will be asked to take a short test to evaluate their command of the rules of grammar and may also be asked to take a transcription test.

Pluses:

• Training or experience in a publishing office, including copyediting, production work, and/or graphic design or book design.
• Experience with desktop publishing software and Photoshop strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with HTML or other mark-up language.
• Experience working with archives or in a library or other cultural institution.
• A knowledge of or sincere interest in Massachusetts or American history.

To apply, please email cover letter, résumé, and names of three references to ap_job[at]masshist [dot]org. Address materials to Sara Martin, Editor in Chief, The Adams Papers, Massachusetts Historical Society. For further information, see our website, www.masshist.org. Review of applications will begin immediately. Position to start February 2019, if possible.