Job Description

About Rice:

Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is ranked among the nation's top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio, and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lectures series, courses and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities.

Rice is also a wonderful place to work. Rice faculty, staff and students share values that are essential to our success as a healthy community. Those values guide our decisions and behaviors and shape Rice's culture. They come through in the way we treat each other and the welcome we extend to our visitors. These values can be recalled simply by our name -- RICE -- Responsibility, Integrity, Community and Excellence.

Position Summary:

The assistant copy editor provides professional, detailed editing of university communications for factual accuracy, style, clarity and appropriateness. Tasks include substantive editing, copy editing, fact checking and proofreading of print and electronic communications for Public Affairs and a variety of campus clients. Projects include, but are not limited to, periodicals such as Rice Magazine and Rice Research Review as well as materials for campus marketing, departmental brochures, event programs, invitations, newsletters, websites, monthly metrics and measurement reports, and other projects as assigned. Applicants must have a comprehensive knowledge of Associated Press style and the university's brand guidelines. Must be able to work on multiple projects at the same time. Attention to detail and accuracy is imperative. Must complete editing projects on deadline and often without advance notice. Possible opportunities for writing for Rice Magazine and marketing copy.

Hybrid position : This position is offered as a hybrid role, combining both in-office and remote work to provide flexibility and support collaboration. Editors typically work three to four days in the office and one to two days remote, though weekly schedules are based on coverage needs. Per Rice policy 440 , work arrangements may be subject to change. This is a one-year term-limited position .

Hiring Range:

Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications. This position is exempt and is not eligible for overtime pay, and your salary covers all hours you work in a week.

Minimum Requirements :

• Bachelor's degree.
  • In lieu of the education requirement, additional related experience, above and beyond what is required, may be substituted on an equivalent year for year basis of related professional experience in editing and writing.
• Two plus years of related professional experience in writing and editing
• Skills required:
  • Proficient editing, including substantive editing, copy editing, fact checking and proofreading of print and electronic communications.
  • Strong people skills and ability to work in a deadline-driven, results-oriented environment with media and PR professionals and with a wide variety of alumni, faculty, administrators and students.
  • Ability to coordinate multiple projects simultaneously with minimal supervision, adhering to priorities and meeting deadlines.
  • Strong mastery of Associated Press style and ability to explain best practices among staff.
  • Working knowledge and understanding of job-related software applications, including Asana, Adobe Creative Suite, Google Docs, PowerPoint and Microsoft Word.
  • Demonstrated ability to use ingenuity and creativity in applying the editing process to complex stories with exceptional attention to detail.

Experience preferred:

• Magazine writing, editing and production.
• Experience working in a college or university environment.
• Five years of related professional experience in editing and writing.

Essential functions:

• Provides substantive editing, copy editing, fact checking and proofreading for print and electronic university communications including Rice Magazine, commencement, newsletters, the Rice.edu homepage, websites, monthly metrics and measurement reports and various projects.
• Responsible for preparing Owlmanac, a 20-plus page section of Rice Magazine, three times per year. Responsibilities include receiving deadline driven updates, compiling, editing and fact-checking all submitted copy, while providing guidance to 70-plus alumni class recorders. Additionally, the assistant editor compiles, edits and produces the In Memoriam, Grad Notes, New Arrivals and Association of Rice Alumni announcements for each issue.
• Works with the magazine managing editor and art director in editing and producing the Rice Magazine newsletter, three times a year through OwlConnect, the university's database.
• Manages and collaborates closely with alumni class recorders (alumni coordinators), fielding questions and supplying submission deadlines.
• Recommends changes and amendments to communications and publications.
• Advises clients on editorial accuracy using own judgement in critiquing the work.
• Serves as a resource for Associated Press style.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Rice University HR | Benefits:

Rice Mission and Values: Mission and Values | Rice University

Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into our candidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. Rice also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please contact Rice University's Disability Resource Center at 713-348-5841 or adarice@rice.edu for support.

If you have any additional questions, please email us at jobs@rice.edu . Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University.

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