Copy Editor Job Description
Copy editor
provides corrections and suggestions in reference to grammar, spelling, document flow, punctuation, and usage following academic writing style guidelines.
Copy Editor Duties & Responsibilities
To write an effective copy editor job description, begin by listing detailed duties, responsibilities and expectations. We have included copy editor job description templates that you can modify and use.
Sample responsibilities for this position include:
Copy edit new and used car reviews -- grammar, spelling, AP style, punctuation, SEO keywords, formatting, overall flow and consistency
Copy edit used car reviews and other content -- grammar, spelling, AP style, punctuation, SEO keywords, formatting, overall flow and consistency
Edit copy with attention to the rules of grammar, usage, punctuation and AP style, and with attention to tone, clarity, accuracy, fairness, libel and privacy
Copyedit POPSUGAR content (editorial content, videos, social content, sales and marketing materials, and more) for grammar, punctuation, clarity, voice, style, accuracy, and spelling
Edit copy for air and digital extensions for factual accuracy, fairness, grammar and spelling
Edit fonts, banners and production cues on scripts for accuracy, spelling and style
Apply formatting specs across subject areas
Copyedit both on hard copy and online with precision and accuracy using standard proofreader's marks
Ensure voice of copy remains on-brand throughout editing
Identify inconsistencies and other content problems, ensuring these issues are corrected
Copy Editor Qualifications
Qualifications for a job description may include education, certification, and experience.
Licensing or Certifications for Copy Editor
List any licenses or certifications required by the position: ELS, BELS, ISTQB
Education for Copy Editor
Typically a job would require a certain level of education.
Employers hiring for the copy editor job most commonly would prefer for their future employee to have a relevant degree such as Bachelor's and Associate Degree in Journalism, English, Communications, Marketing, Education, Advertising, Writing, Editing, Science, Publishing
Skills for Copy Editor
Desired skills for copy editor include:
AP Style
Chicago Manual of Style and proofreaders’ marks
Punctuation
Grammar
AMA Manual of Style and FDA rules and regulations
AMA Manual of Style
10th edition desirable
Spelling
English language
Desired experience for copy editor includes:
Prior experience in advertising or direct marketing is preferred
At least 5 years newspaper/digital experience
Ability to work harmoniously with everyone on the curriculum team, including writers, reviewers, graphic designers and managers
Extreme attention to detail *LI-HD#DES
Familiarity with Microsoft Word, Universal Type System, basic HTML, and e-mail protocols
Minimum of 3 years’ experience in copyediting
Copy Editor Examples
1
Copy Editor Job Description
Job Description Example
Our growing company is searching for experienced candidates for the position of copy editor. Please review the list of responsibilities and qualifications. While this is our ideal list, we will consider candidates that do not necessarily have all of the qualifications, but have sufficient experience and talent.
Responsibilities for copy editor
- The work includes checks on standard English usage the spelling and applicability of scientific names and phrases, technical terms and acronyms, often ensuring they are phrased so as to be comprehensible to non-technical readers
- Use databases to proofread for correct names, prices, and ordering numbers
- Track, communicate and resolve issues of improperly conveyed information
- Support nuances of business brands, audience voices and legal requirements
- Proofreading of layouts before shipping
- Fact check new and used car reviews, features, blog posts, and other content
- Collaborate with writers on a regular basis to review edits
- Edit pages for visual conflicts
- Write creative headlines that reflect the facts and tone of the report
- Write cutlines that inform readers in a clear and concise manner
Qualifications for copy editor
- Must be proficient with Microsoft Office products (particularly Word, Excel, Communicator and Outlook), and must have the ability and willingness to learn to use other newsroom computer systems
- Digital-savvy editor with the ability edit to content for the web and a willingness to learn how to help manage digital content
- Willingness to be flexible to project needs
- Ability to perform as part of a team individually
- Dedication to quality assurance while working within process and adhering to best practices
- Have keen eye for detail
2
Copy Editor Job Description
Job Description Example
Our innovative and growing company is looking to fill the role of copy editor. Thank you in advance for taking a look at the list of responsibilities and qualifications. We look forward to reviewing your resume.
Responsibilities for copy editor
- Consulting with the Editorial Director to maintain and update a style guide based on and adapted from AP Style, food-and-drink-specific in-house style to be used throughout the site
- Preview graphics, video and sound elements to ensure fairness, accuracy and context
- Serve as leader and hub of communication and guidance for show teams
- Ensure style and factual continuity and consistency through shows
- Edit scripts for air
- Edit newsletters, blogs, copy for show pages and other digital extensions
- Leads the development and execution of messaging designed to maintain brand image, support initiatives, and increase sales and profits for the Eastbay brand
- Proofs and approves all web and print copy associated with Eastbay, ensuring all copy is grammatically correct and meets brand standards
- Assigns projects to the team, matching workloads to individual strengths when possible and adjusting workloads to account for production peaks and troughs as needed
- Leads development and evolution of the brand voice and coordinates with internal and external partners to reach consensus
Qualifications for copy editor
- Experience working in a news organization
- Judgment in applying “brand style”
- Must be able to travel and work flexible hours, including nights, weekends, holidays and at times on short notice
- Highly organized with excellent prioritization and time-management skills
- Self-starter with focus on process improvement
- Proven track record of high-level editing capabilities strong organizational skills
3
Copy Editor Job Description
Job Description Example
Our growing company is hiring for a copy editor. We appreciate you taking the time to review the list of qualifications and to apply for the position. If you don’t fill all of the qualifications, you may still be considered depending on your level of experience.
Responsibilities for copy editor
- To edit evergreen web pages, blog posts, news articles and social media posts for of our branded, lead-generating websites
- To curate content and ensure an efficient process for getting that content onto of our websites
- Works as a member of the Design Studio team to produce newspapers and other print products
- Creates and/or produces cut-out images and moderately complex graphs, maps, charts, information graphics
- Draws together multiple elements including stories, photos, graphics, illustrations, logos, information boxes, into a cohesive, compelling presentation of the article
- Uses content tone to determine the size, style and arrangement and designs pages based upon space and aesthetic design concepts
- Applies copy editing skills
- References to public bodies, legislation, processes, locations and dates often require checking for accuracy
- Provides copy-editing support for game text, scripts, manuals, packaging, web and mobile content, and other materials
- Collaborates with localization writers and editors to edit in-game text, manual and package copy, game summaries, and other materials as needed
Qualifications for copy editor
- Work on premises in a fast-paced production environment which requires short turnarounds and work that can be subject to late changes
- Ability to work some extra hours when deadlines need to be met
- Must have a firm understanding of Microsoft Word and Adobe Acrobat and be comfortable editing in print, on screen and via PDF
- Bachelors’ degree in graphic design and/or journalism required or comparable experience
- Minimum of five years’ experience with graphics and page design on a daily newspaper designing features pages using graphics, photos and photo illustration required
- 5 years fulltime writer in broadcast news, major market, including at least 2 years in CNN newsgroup newsrooms
4
Copy Editor Job Description
Job Description Example
Our innovative and growing company is looking for a copy editor. We appreciate you taking the time to review the list of qualifications and to apply for the position. If you don’t fill all of the qualifications, you may still be considered depending on your level of experience.
Responsibilities for copy editor
- Has a firm knowledge of AP style and refers to AP and staff style manuals regularly
- Researches franchise history and fact-checks content
- Proofreads consumer-facing copy
- Write clear, concise, engaging copy for online and print mediums
- Proofread to ensure information is factually and grammatically correct and reflects brand style and format
- Develop productive, collaborative partnerships with web designers, online marketing teams, merchants, and production artists
- Attend creative planning and strategy meetings as assigned
- Stay up-to-date on fashion trends, develop fresh copy ideas, and track competitors’ copy usage
- 50% copy editing marketing collateral
- 30% original writing and learning activities, including supervised stretch assignments and corporate internship programming
Qualifications for copy editor
- At least 5 years of experience in content-related field, including at least 3 years as assigning editor, copy editor or website/publication editor
- A basic knowledge of modern SEO (title tags, meta data)
- Demonstrated experience working in a CMS such as WordPress
- Knowledge of AP and APA styles
- Knowledge of Google Gmail and Google apps
- Editing or writing experience required
5
Copy Editor Job Description
Job Description Example
Our company is growing rapidly and is hiring for a copy editor. Please review the list of responsibilities and qualifications. While this is our ideal list, we will consider candidates that do not necessarily have all of the qualifications, but have sufficient experience and talent.
Responsibilities for copy editor
- 10% proofreading late-stage assets
- 10% team meetings and collaborative work, including creative brainstorming
- Copy edits and proofreads novels
- The Copy Editor also ensures that text is up-to-date, that it complies with any CNN guidance, and that story elements work together as a cohesive whole
- The Copy Editor edits story text, headlines, captions and SMS content
- He or she works with content editors and writers to improve stories, and uses various newsroom tools for digital production purposes
- At times, the Copy Editor may also be asked to write stories by assignment editors or other supervisors
- Reads and edits all copy, making sure it is publication-worthy, grammatically correct and that it conforms to AP and The Nevada Sagebrush house style rules
- Identify libelous or potentially libelous stories and alert the section editor and/or Editor-in-Chief
- Identify stories that need major revisions, possibly recommending that they be held for publication at a later date
Qualifications for copy editor
- A keen sense of storytelling in words
- Two to three years of professional copyediting experience
- Deadline driven and works well with others
- Ability to quickly adapt to new writing styles and formats
- Familiarity with British English and/or Australian English a plus
- Must love the Oxford comma