Position: Journal Editor
Organization: The Journal of Marine Education
Apply: Email your cover letter and resume by June 25, 2019 and put “Editor position” in the subject of your email to nmea@marine-ed.org

Current: The Journal of Marine Education is the peer-reviewed journal of the National Marine Educators Association, which seeks to “Make known the world of water.” The journal features lively, in-depth articles and activities relating to all aspects of educating a variety of audiences about the world of water. It is the only professional, peer-reviewed journal for marine educators.

Current, published up to four times a year, explores the latest in marine and aquatic education research, ocean literacy, STEM classroom and free-choice learning activities, marine science, art, maritime history, and literature.

Current aligns with the National Marine Educators Association’s core values of excellence, camaraderie, action, inclusiveness, and leadership in marine and aquatic education.

Responsibilites

  • Selecting articles and essays that provide new, original, and important contributions to marine science education knowledge
  • Working closely with relevant NMEA committees to provide content and oversight of the journal
  • Comfort using databases and social network sites
  • Overseeing the review process to ensure fairness and timeliness
  • Ensuring the overall quality and grammatical accuracy of the intellectual content of the journal
  • Upholding the mission and scope of the journal

Duties & Responsibilities

The editor will demonstrate effective leadership in supporting and strengthening the scope and mission of
Current in the following six key areas:

  1. Overseeing all editorial and production aspects of the journal
    • Working closely with authors to ensure high-quality articles
    • Conducting necessary substantive and copy editing, proofreading, and other
      elements of the editorial process
    • Ensuring that all photographs and images have clear rights for publication
    • Reviewing production aspects of the journal including layout, design, and
      images
  2. Overseeing the volunteer editorial board. Building an engaging editorial board is key to a journal’s success. The objectives of the journal’s editorial board include:
    • Bringing together a range of subject experts within the field who can advise on journal strategy
    • Acting as a ready team of potential reviewers with an active interest in the success of the journal
    • Adding credibility to the journal, and celebrating important experts in the field
  3. Overseeing the peer review process. Peer review, also known as refereeing, is a collaborative process that allows independent experts in the same fields of research and/or practice to evaluate and comment on manuscript submissions. The outcome of a peer review gives authors feedback to improve their work and, critically, allows the Editor to assess the paper’s suitability for publication. Editors, reviewers, authors and editorial board members are involved in the peer review process.
  4. Understanding research metrics. Research metrics are the fundamental tools used across the publishing industry to measure performance, both at journal- and author-level. The Editor will assist the NMEA Board of Directors in understanding the performance of the Journal based on available metrics.
  5. Increasing journal visibility. Discoverability is crucial for journal success, but what tools and techniques can you use to increase journal visibility? The Editor will take a lead role in collaborating with the NMEA Social Media Community Manager and Board of Directors to raise the profile of Current and ensure that the journal is reaching the broadest possible audience.
  6. Ensuring ethical integrity. At their core, publishing ethics are guidelines that should be followed by authors, editors, and reviewers to maintain the integrity of the peer review and publication process. The Current editor will ensure the highest levels of ethical integrity.
  7. Ensuring that Current reflects the values and interests of NMEA members. If possible, attend the NMEA Annual conference each year. Attend, remotely or in person, NMEA Board meetings and calls. Solicit and review articles for general issues and work closely with guest editors on special theme issues. Ensure that issues are balanced to reflect the interests of NMEA members. Provide reports to the NMEA Board of Directors for each meeting (5 meetings/year).

Experience, Skills, and Qualifications:

  • An educational background aligned with the goals and mission of the journal
  • Appropriate editorial experience with academic or practitioner-oriented publishing
  • Excellent editorial and written communication skills with a sharp eye for detail
  • Previous experience with peer-reviewed journals preferred
  • Ability to organize and prioritize numerous tasks and be able to work on your own initiative
  • Ability to be resourceful and proactive in dealing with problems, queries, and opportunities
  • Excellent team-working skills to deal with people within the organization and externally at all levels, and a diverse network of contacts and collaborators.
  • Excellent English-language skills
  • Possess a working understanding of NMEA’s membership, values, and goals
  • Provide evidence of flexibility, and a creative and entrepreneurial spirit

Salary/Benefits/Hours

This is a contract position. The Editor will be paid a set fee per issue of Current produced.