Peer Review Coordinator

Note: APA operates on a 37.5-hour work week with one hour lunch breaks each day. APA sets salaries based on several considerations, including years of relevant experience, level of education, and previous staff and/or governance experience at APA.

The Peer Review Coordinator is a skilled communicator and customer service representative, who ensures a high-quality peer review process for authors, reviewers, and editors. The Peer Review Coordinator is an expert in peer review policy and is responsible for facilitating all aspects of peer review within their journal portfolio, including solving problems through careful analysis and enhancement of existing procedures, while demonstrating a mastery of all relevant technical systems.

Education and Experience:    

• Bachelor’s degree: Psychology, English, or related fields, with at least 3 years of experience in scholarly publications that includes knowledge of the editorial and peer review process and working with a sensitive customer base, such as scholarly authors and scientific editors.
• Candidates may substitute 4-6 years of work experience in scholarly publications as indicated above for the required education.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal) are necessary.
• Experience in a high-profile, deadline driven environment required.

Computer Skills Required (including level of expertise):

• Microsoft Word (User)
• Microsoft Excel (User)
• Email programs (User)
• Adobe Acrobat (User)
• Editorial Manager (preferred)
• iThenticate (preferred)
• DocuSign (preferred)

 Responsibilities: 

• Ensures a timely, ethical editorial workflow for the assigned portfolio.
• Communicates daily with editors, authors, and reviewers, as well as APA Journals staff regarding the peer review process. The success of the APA’s relationship with its high-profile constituency requires timely, accurate, sensitive, thoughtful communication consistent with APA policy and procedures.
• Manages manuscript submission process for assigned portfolio of journals, from initial author submission through peer review to post-acceptance preparation for production. Reviews all submitted manuscripts for adherence to each journal’s submission requirements, and compliance with APA policies. This includes enforcing deadlines, securing appropriate paperwork, monitoring journal performance, and introducing workflow efficiencies based on system knowledge.
• Provides extensive technical support and troubleshooting for and training in the peer review system, Editorial Manager.
• Prepares reports on editorial statistics for editors and APA staff. Solves problems and navigates sensitive issues arising in the peer review process, including copyright permissions issues and discrepancies between policy and practice, as well as working with appropriate members of other teams to resolve said problems.
• Designs departmental process improvements and leads training sessions for the team throughout the year with the intent of highlighting best practices and contributing to the team policy and procedures manual.
• Works as a team with Production Editors and Associate Publishers to develop journal-wide solutions for issues such as: editorial lag, backlog, transitions between incoming and outgoing Editors, etc.
• Other duties as assigned.

About APA:

The American Psychological Association (APA) represents 146,000 psychologists, students, and affiliates, primarily in the U.S. and Canada but also in other countries around the world. APA is a scientific and professional organization with about 500 employees and is categorized as a 501(c)(3) along with its 501(c)(6) companion organization, APA Services, Inc.

APA offers a generous employee benefits program, including Remote Work/Flexible Scheduling; a 401(k) option with employer match of up to 4%; medical, dental, and vision insurance options and an outpatient mental health benefit; paid personal/vacation time plus 12 paid holidays; Family/Medical Leave; tuition assistance; an Employee Assistance Program (EAP); short- and long-term disability insurance; and more. 

Job Location: Remote: APA jobs may be considered for remote work eligibility as defined in APA’s Flexible Work Policy and are subject to approval. Remote work employees may not work from the following states or U.S. territories: Alaska, California, Colorado, Guam, Hawaii, Iowa, Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, U.S. Virgin Islands, Washington, Wyoming.

Application Instructions:

Qualified candidates must apply online through APA’s applicant system and attach a resume and cover letter specifying your salary expectations. Applications that are submitted without both documents are considered incomplete and will not be reviewed for consideration. Once your application is submitted, you will receive a confirmation email. Please make sure to check your Spam folder if you do not receive an email from us.

The American Psychological Association is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected categories covered under local law.