Jobs at Core Knowledge

About the Core Knowledge Foundation

The Core Knowledge Foundation (CKF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to achieving excellence and equity in early childhood and K–12 education. CKF develops and freely distributes curriculum and instructional resources grounded in research on how children learn, with a particular focus on coherent, cumulative knowledge-building.

The Core Knowledge Foundation is seeking a Senior Editor Social Studies to join our editorial team later this summer.

Senior Editor, Social Studies

The senior editor will lead the adaptation and development of a K–8 civics curriculum for a state, owning editorial production from planning through publication and ensuring coherence, alignment with state standards, and adherence to Core Knowledge quality standards, working in close partnership with the Associate Director, State & District Partnerships. The position will also contribute to other social studies curriculum adaptation and development projects and to broader humanities curriculum and instructional resource projects as needs arise and capacity allows.

Reporting to the Managing Editor, Social Studies, the senior editor will manage a project freelance writer and coordinate directly with subject matter experts, copyeditors, and internal and external production teams for the state civics project.

The Senior Editor, Social Studies is a full-time exempt position scheduled to work remotely 40 hours per week. CKF is a hybrid organization with team members working across the country.

The Senior Editor Social Studies collaborates with:

• Associate Director, State & District Partnerships
• Senior Editor, Social Studies
• Junior Editor, Social Studies
• Core Knowledge Production Team
• Contracted Writers, Editors, Copyeditors, SMEs, Design Support

Primary Responsibilities/General Duties (Including but not limited to):

State Civics Curriculum Project Leadership

• Lead editorial production for developing new state-specific units and adapting existing Core Knowledge civics content to create a state-specific K-8 civics curriculum, owning project schedules, workflows, and deliverables for both graphic and written elements from planning through publication
• Plan and outline content for student readers, teacher guides, teacher background information, workbooks, and assessments in alignment with the state civics standards and Core Knowledge quality standards
• Manage the project freelance writer, including assigning work, providing editorial direction and feedback, and reviewing deliverables for quality and alignment
• Coordinate directly with subject matter experts, copyeditors, and production teams to move materials through the development process; ensure adherence to in-house styles, formatting guidelines, and production standards
• Coordinate and collaborate with the Associate Director, State & District Partnerships to align content and materials to state-specific standards and adoption requirements
• Respond responsibly to state partner editorial requests, escalating to the Managing Editor when appropriate
• Monitor project progress and proactively identify and communicate production issues or bottlenecks
• Review materials at key development milestones to maintain quality, coherence, and alignment across units and grade levels

Editorial Work (All Projects)

• Review and edit manuscripts and page proofs, including but not limited to student readers, teacher guides, workbooks, and assessments
• Assess and manage text level complexity in relation to grade or age appropriateness
• Monitor materials for content accuracy and adherence to writing standards and conventions
• Investigate errata inquiries and submit errata corrections for existing curricular materials
• Find or create additional activities to supplement and extend textbook instruction
• Work with and provide guidance to internal and external project team members, including but not limited to writers, editors, copyeditors, project managers, and designers
• Integrate and apply feedback from Subject Matter Experts
• Collaborate with Managing Editor and Senior Editor, Social Studies, to create, codify, and strengthen editorial processes and consistency across projects
• Ensure materials adhere to in-house styles and formatting guidelines as they are being developed and refined
• Conduct preliminary image research, as needed; write Art Specifications for required illustrations
• Contribute to and help guide cover design
• Participate in “project kickoff” meetings with development team to determine all aspects of the program, including content, design, and schedules
• Review materials prior to submission to printer
• Write content as needed for email blasts, website, and promotional flyers
• Assist with the development of proposals for new projects and initiatives
• Assist with, or lead as appropriate, development of materials for state adoption processes
• Contribute to other social studies and humanities curriculum and instructional resource projects as needs arise and capacity allows

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice, at the manager’s discretion.

Contacts

• Core Knowledge Foundation staff members
• Outside Partners, such as freelance writers, copyeditors, subject matter experts, and Six Red Marbles or other external development house(s) for layout, art creation, and composition

Typical Physical Demands/Working Conditions

• Works remotely or in office environment that may require a stationary position for more than 50% of an 8-hour work day
• Sit, stand, bend, reach, climb steps
• Communicate by phone, writing, and speaking

Travel

• Semi-annual Core Knowledge Foundation staff summits
• Bi-annual (every two years) Core Knowledge Conference
• Optional travel to conferences

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in History, Geography, or Humanities
• Five or more years of experience developing, reviewing, and writing social studies curriculum for students Grades K-12, including experience with civics content
• Demonstrated experience leading discrete curriculum development projects, including managing timelines and coordinating all elements of design/layout and writing/editing
• Experience managing or directing freelance writers, graphic designers, or other external contributors
• Strong organizational and project management skills; ability to independently plan, track, and complete projects on time within established deadlines
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Knowledge of conventions and standards for English, specifically Chicago-style editing
• Accuracy with attention to detail
• Ability to edit and proofread one’s own and others’ work
• Initiative and sound editorial judgment; ability to work autonomously, anticipate needs, and escalate issues appropriately
• Collaborative skills and ability to work effectively in a team capacity and across internal and external contributors
• Ability to provide and receive feedback in a positive manner
• Desirable educational achievements and career experiences: previous editorial experience in educational publishing; experience with Core Knowledge curricular materials; experience with social studies inquiry frameworks; knowledge of civics education standards or frameworks.

Application Process

Interested candidates are invited to submit a resume/CV and letter of interest. Candidate materials (resume/CV, letter of interest) will be reviewed on a rolling basis starting July 2^nd, with initial phone screens beginning the following week. The interview process will include 2-3 remote rounds (30 minutes to 2 hours each), covering conversations with staff, a possible discussion of a work sample, and discussions with organization leadership. Interested candidates can apply by sending their resume and cover letter to humanresources@coreknowledge.org.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this role is $65,000-$85,000 and the role is eligible for annual bonus consideration based on organizational and individual performance.

CKF provides a robust benefits package including:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance, with 100% of the employee medical insurance premium covered by the organization
• 8% 403b matching
• Paid time off starting at 15 vacation days per year; paid sick and safe leave starting with a 5 day up front bank
• 13 paid holidays with a Winter Break closure between December 26 and December 31 – often extended based on how the holidays land on the calendar each year; 1 floating holiday
• Paid family leave
• Short and long-term disability insurance