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Journal Editor

Job Description & Duties:

The Natural Areas Association (NAA) is seeking an editor for its Natural Areas Journal (NAJ). This contracted, part-time position requires up to 8 hours/week and will commence on 30 July 2009.

The NAJ provides a forum for communication among persons involved in the identification, preservation, protection, and management of natural areas and elements of biological diversity. We welcome articles focusing on nature preserves, natural areas, state or national parks, rare and endangered species, land preservation, and practical approaches to natural area work. The journal is published quarterly.

Required Experience and Qualifications:
  • A Ph.D. in applied natural resource management or environmental science is desired, but not mandatory.
  • Currently engaged in conducting research in applied natural resource management or environmental science is desired, but not mandatory.
  • Possess excellent and proven oral and written communication skills
  • Possess demonstrated editorial skills.
  • Possess excellent organizational skills
  • Knowledge of natural areas, resource management, conservation biology
  • Familiarity with the Natural Areas Association is strongly preferred.
  • Institution or agency support desired.
Respnsibilities:
  • Maintain current, and recruit as necessary, an active Editorial Board that will provide subject matter expertise to complement all areas of interest represented in the NAJ.
  • Review the suitability of all submitted papers to the NAJ
  • Maintain an active database of submitted papers to track review, revisions and acceptance/rejection of papers. Timeliness of responses and feedback to authors and reviewers is critical.
  • Identify, contact and submit papers to appropriate reviewers. The editor may use some members of the Editorial Board as paper reviewers, however most members of the Editorial Board consolidate the reviews of no more than 3 papers per year.
  • Coordinate the receipt of reviewed papers.
  • Read the paper, evaluate review comments, and correspond with the author about the comments. If a revision is an option, describe the necessary conditions and appropriate guidelines for resubmitting the paper.
  • Evaluate the resubmitted paper, communicate with the author regarding its acceptance or revision, and make a final decision on the paper.
  • Correspond with the external reviewers to inform them of the final disposition of the paper and thank them for their review.
  • For all accepted papers, provide the Managing Editor with a hard copy and digital version of the accepted paper as well as any pertinent correspondence with the author.
  • Work to maintain a balance in the range of articles and relevant topics within the NAJ as guided by the NAA mission.
  • When necessary, solicit papers or reviews on particular topic areas of relevance to NAJ.
  • Write ?From the Editor? pieces as needed.
  • Coordinate activities with the Executive Director or appropriate staff of the NAA.
  • Communicate regularly and in a timely fashion with editorial board and authors to foster NAA engagement of these constituents.
  • Attend the annual Natural Areas Conference (fall) and fall Board of Directors meeting, and the spring board meeting as requested by the BOD, to present to the NAA Board of Directors an overview of journal activities and issues.
  • Serve as a non-voting member by appointment to the NAA Board of Directors.
  • Be a member of and promote the mission of the NAA.
How to Apply:

Interested applicants, send cover letter and resume/curriculum vitae to NAA Board Member Renee Boronka (address below). Please include two examples of published articles. If sending electronically, send in .pdf format.

  • Renee Boronka
  • Cleveland Museum of Natural History
  • 1 Wade Oval Drive
  • Cleveland, OH 44106
  • 216-231-4600 ext. 3505
  • 216-231-5919 fax
  • rboronka@cmnh.org