JOE Associate Editor

Position Description

Commitment

Term: 3 years (renewable)

Estimated Time Commitment: 3–5 hours per week on average

Overview

An Associate Editor (AE) contributes to ensuring that the journal’s editorial quality and academic rigor meet generally acceptable standards for the scholarly journal industry and plays a substantial role in executing the author development component of the journal’s mission. AEs are categorized according to their subject matter knowledge (see list below) and other areas of expertise (e.g., greater experience with qualitative or quantitative research methods). AEs are responsible for facilitating the publication process for their assigned submissions and providing authors with comprehensive feedback to foster development of the authors’ scholarly writing skills. AEs use established materials and procedures to perform their duties. An AE is expected to obtain institutional support to fulfill the duties of the role. AEs report to the JOE Senior Editor. After a time, an AE may move into the role of Associate Senior Editor.

JOE AE subject areas and anticipated number of AEs for each area are as follows:

• 4-H/Youth Development (2 AEs)
• Agriculture—Animal (1 AE)
• Agriculture—Plant/Horticulture (1 AE)
• Community Development (1–2 AEs)
• Engagement (e.g., Community Engagement, Engaged Scholarship) (2 AEs)
• Family and Consumer Sciences—Consumer Education (1 AE)
• Family and Consumer Sciences—Human Development/Health (2–3 AEs)
• Natural Resources (2–3 AEs)
• Program Development, Delivery Methods, Evaluation, and Impact (2–3 AEs)
• Staff Development (1 AE)

An AE is expected to

• act on decisions made by the Extension Journal Inc. (EJI) board of directors, the EJI editorial committee, and Senior Editor, as directed by the Senior Editor or Associate Senior Editor;
• establish a collegial and productive working relationship with other members of the JOE editorial leadership team (i.e., Senior Editor, Associate Senior Editor, other AEs);
• apply objectivity, fairness, and courtesy when communicating with authors and other members of the JOE editorial leadership team; and
• protect confidentiality as applicable in all communications.

Duties

1. Facilitate the publication process for all manuscripts assigned by the Senior Editor or Associate Senior Editor by performing the following actions within established time frames:
   1. Conduct comprehensive editorial reviews of manuscripts.
   1. Confirm that manuscripts align with the purpose and scope of JOE and apply subject matter expertise to evaluate the relevance of manuscript content.
   2. Reach an opinion regarding whether manuscripts are categorized appropriately.
   3. Determine whether manuscript content demonstrates effective organization; logical and complete development of topic; coherence, clarity, and preciseness; consistency and accuracy in presentations and discussions of data; and consistency between citations and references.
   4. Determine whether manuscript content demonstrates acceptable standards of composition. For example, content should adhere to grammar and spelling conventions; should reflect tenets of effective writing such as use of active voice, parallelism, topic sentences and transitions, consistency and logic in ordering of information, and consistent terminology and avoidance of awkward constructions and inappropriate anthropomorphism; and should be free from typos.
   5. Determine whether manuscript content adheres to JOE editorial style.
   2. Perform peer reviews of Commentary and Tools of the Trade submissions, determining whether content is of adequate relevance to the JOE audience and aligns with the criteria for the respective article category. (Peer review may be conducted simultaneous with editorial review of manuscript.)
   3. Determine whether to reject manuscripts (on the basis of content and/or editorial quality) or to advance manuscripts in the publication process, and take applicable action depending on article category.
   4. Provide comprehensive feedback, guidance, and instruction to authors based on the editorial review.
   5. Play a role in accomplishment of the double-blind peer review process, including by synthesizing reviewer feedback, formulating recommendations regarding advancing manuscripts, and taking associated actions.
   6. Determine final disposition recommendations, and consult on such with the Senior Editor.
2. Monitor double-blind peer reviews for fairness, objectivity, and appropriate substance. As needed, communicate with the Senior Editor regarding problems related to peer reviewers’ capabilities or execution of the peer review process.
3. Provide the Senior Editor with input regarding editorial policy and direction for JOE and best practices for JOE's success, as applicable.
4. Provide input regarding developing and updating JOE author and peer reviewer resources as needed.
5. Assist with JOE workload planning by tracking hours worked.
6. Promote readership of and authorship in the journal when opportunities to do so exist.

Qualifications

• Must have at least a master’s degree (PhD preferred) and expertise in a discipline or disciplines found commonly within Cooperative Extension nationally. (May be a current or recently retired Extension educator [100%] or academic faculty member who has/had an Extension appointment [e.g., 20% Extension, 30% teaching, 50% research].)
• Must have a proven, demonstrated record of research and successful publishing in peer-reviewed scholarly journals, preferably including JOE, and understanding of and appreciation for the mission and values of JOE. Additional experience as a peer reviewer for JOE or another scholarly journal or as an AE for a scholarly peer-reviewed journal is preferable.
• Must possess demonstrated education and/or experience in qualitative and/or quantitative research methods.
• Must have strong composition and writing skills and the ability to recognize and provide feedback on a wide array of editorial issues and must have knowledge of style requirements identified in the current edition of Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association.
• Must have proven organizational skills applicable to managing workflows and meeting deadlines.
• Must have authorization from institutional department head (direct supervisor) and Extension director to serve as a JOE AE and commitment from these individuals to provide time and resources required for completing JOE AE duties.
• Must be willing to serve at least 3 years as an AE.

Application Process

An applicant for a JOE Associate Editor position will provide the items listed below. (Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the application period will remain open until positions are filled. Application materials may be uploaded at any time; however, the sooner a candidate submits an application, the sooner that candidate’s application will be reviewed.)

1. A cover letter (maximum two pages): The cover letter should include the following elements: (a) identification of the position for which the candidate is applying (e.g., JOE AE for 4-H/Youth Development), (b) reasons the candidate desires the position, (c) specifics of the qualifications the candidate possesses for the position, (d) the subject area(s) in which the candidate is best suited to serve JOE, (e) an explanation of the commitment the candidate’s institution is willing to make to facilitate a successful candidate’s work with JOE, and (f) the candidate’s name, title, institution, address, phone number, and email address.
2. A resume (maximum five pages): The resume should include (a) education, (b) work experience, (c) documentation of published peer-reviewed scholarly articles, and (d) any experience with peer-reviewed journals, such as editorial positions, reviewer positions (when, what, for how long).
3. Published article samples (three): The candidate will provide three copies (PDFs) of articles the candidate has successfully published in peer-reviewed scholarly journals.
4. Letters: The candidate will provide two letters of reference (maximum two pages) from people who can speak to the candidate’s abilities and experiences relative to the duties and qualifications associated with the JOE AE role. The candidate also will provide one letter from a supervisor from the candidate’s institution informing of the institution’s willingness to support the candidate’s efforts as a JOE AE if selected.

Upload all application materials here

Due to the open application period resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, the EJI editorial committee will conduct application reviews and fill positions on an ongoing basis. Candidates advanced to the interview stage will receive notification of such and will participate in virtual interviews for those positions. After completion of individual interviews, the EJI editorial committee will extend offers to successful candidates.

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