Penn State Job Catalog

Additional levels that exist for this job profile can be seen below.
Missing levels within the leveling matrix can be added based on business need.

The defined natural career progression within or between job profiles.

University Press

The University Press Specialist coordinates the editorial and production operations of the University Press to ensure the timely, accurate, and high-quality publication of scholarly books, journals, digital publications, and related materials; oversees production workflows, liaisons with staff and freelance contributors, coordinates with authors and vendors, and ensures compliance with editorial, copyright, accessibility, and publishing standards; serves as a central contact among editorial offices, designers, printers, compositors, and external service providers throughout the publication lifecycle.

• Coordinate the production process for University Press publications, including editing, copyediting, proofreading, design, layout, composition, indexing, image prepress, printing, digital publishing, and eBook creation
• Oversee the scheduling and trafficking of manuscripts, proofs, and production materials among editors, authors, copyeditors, designers, compositors, printers, and vendors to ensure adherence to production timelines
• Create, update, monitor, and maintain comprehensive production schedules for multiple simultaneous publishing projects
• Serve as a liaison between editorial offices, faculty editors, authors, vendors, designers, printers, and other stakeholders regarding day-to-day production matters
• Review manuscripts and publication materials for accuracy, completeness, consistency, and adherence to established editorial and publishing standards
• Ensure compliance with editorial style guides, copyright laws, permissions requirements, licensing agreements, and accessibility standards
• Assist editors and contributors in developing and maintaining editorial style sheets and publication guidelines
• Review typeset proofs, page layouts, graphics, and digital files to ensure quality control, formatting consistency, and publication readiness
• Coordinate and monitor print and digital production workflows, including file preparation, prepress review, metadata management, and electronic publishing distribution requirements
• Oversee freelance copy editors, proofreaders, indexers, designers, and external vendors; evaluate work quality, negotiate pricing, and implement workflow improvements and production efficiencies
• Research and recommend improvements to publishing technologies, production systems, workflows, and industry best practices
• Maintain production records, contracts, permissions documentation, and project files in accordance with institutional policies and publishing standards
• Develop and implement operational procedures and quality assurance standards to support efficient and effective publishing operations
• Monitor project budgets, vendor costs, and production expenditures to ensure fiscal responsibility and cost-effective publishing practices
• Collaborate with editorial, marketing, and administrative teams to support publication schedules, promotional initiatives, and strategic publishing goals
• May assist with acquisitions support, publication planning, inventory coordination, or archival management as assigned
• May supervise staff members, including hiring, development, and performance management

Level:

– Senior Supervisor

Base Description:

– Supervises direct reports, but primarily completes activities, tasks, and/or projects of a functional nature.

Level Summary:

– Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge to perform own work; spends majority of time on tasks related to own job responsibilities. May demonstrate subject matter expertise. Demonstrates intermediate to advanced planning, organizing, directing, and facilitating skills. Demonstrates the ability to coach assigned employees. Assigns and reviews completed work to verify accuracy, quality, and adherence to professional standards. Trains, coaches, mentors, and motivates staff. Anticipates potential problems, issues, and opportunities; researches and recommends solutions within defined policies. May develop creative recommendations for solving problems.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

– Typically oversees at least 2 full–time direct reports or equivalent team of part–time and/or student workers (for Professional track, performs work at the Senior Professional level or higher)

Fiscal Responsibilities:

– May validate and pay invoices
– Monitors and tracks budgets for specific area and/or grant(s)
– May assist in planning and forecasting budgets

Problem Solving:

– Encounters moderately complex problems
– Applies general precedents and practices and specialized knowledge and skills to resolve problems
– Understands benefits, limitations and impact of potential solutions
– Anticipates potential problems and recommends possible solutions within general guidelines

Independence of Action:

– Works independently on moderately complex work assignments, reviews progress, and evaluates results
– Organizes work of direct reports and sets team priorities
– Reviews the work of others to verify accuracy, quality, and adherence to professional standards

Communication and Collaboration:

– Communicates internally within working unit and the University
– Communicates with external audiences for scheduling/coordination
– May communicate with external audiences for business purposes
– Collaborates closely with team members; may interact with other staff outside of area
– Utilizes a communication style that is appropriate for a given situation
– Interprets and communicates information, ideas and instructions clearly, accurately and persuasively both verbally and in written materials intended for distribution

• Comp Grade – 9
• Minimum – $56,200.00
• MidPoint – $68,800.00
• Maximum – $81,500.00

• Adaptability
• Brand management
• Communication design
• Content creation
• Critical reading
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Editing
• Negotiation
• Product design
• Project Management