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 Professional

Base Description:

– Completes activities, tasks, and/or projects of a functional nature.

Level Summary:

– Demonstrates advanced knowledge of principles, practices, and procedures of a particular field. Works independently on moderately complex work assignments under limited oversight, reviews progress, and evaluates results. Monitors work and projects ensuring timeliness, quality, and efficiency. Identifies and mobilizes resources to achieve outcomes. Trains others and reviews progress with management. Presents ideas, concepts, and instructions in a clear and persuasive manner. Develops new techniques, concepts, and approaches and applies them to moderately complex and strategic and/or operational issues.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

– Indirect supervisor for other full–time employees
– May serve as direct supervisor for part–time, student, and/or temporary workers, volunteers, or a full–time employee

Fiscal Responsibilities:

– May validate and pay invoices
– Monitors and tracks budgets and funding

Problem Solving:

– Encounters moderately complex problems
– Applies specialized knowledge and skills to resolve problems
– Understands benefits, limitations, and impact of potential solutions

Independence of Action:

– Works independently on moderately complex work assignments, reviews progress, and evaluates results
– May set priorities and organize work within general guidelines established by supervisor
– May review the work of others to verify accuracy and conformance to required procedures and special instructions

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
– Coaches others in using appropriate strategies for resolving conflict; negotiating reasonable compromises; and proposing and evaluating possible solutions
– Give candid and constructive feedback to others to influence and persuade managers and employees to accept and implement findings and recommendations

• 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