Background

The American Counseling Association (ACA) is the world’s largest organization representing professional counselors in various practice settings.

Our vision: Every person has access to quality professional counseling to thrive.

Our mission: Promote the professional development of counselors, advocates for the profession, and ensure ethical, culturally-inclusive practice.

Our values: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Integrity, Proactive Leadership, Professional Community & Relationships, Scientific Practice & Knowledge, Social Justice & Empowerment.

All American Counseling Association team members are encouraged, supported and expected to demonstrate The Way We Work Values: Be Flexible, Be Creative, Be Empowered, Be Inquisitive, Be Collaborative and Be Respectful.

Job Purpose

As the Book Development Editor, you are a key contributor to the success of the American Counseling Association’s book and scholarly publishing program. You ensure the quality and accuracy of our publications by overseeing the editorial development process from manuscript to final production. Your responsibilities include copyediting, coordinating ISBN assignments and the CIP process, and responding to inquiries about ACA’s publication guidelines. Drawing on your editorial expertise, you collaborate with authors and contributors to refine content, conduct detailed proofreading, and uphold publishing standards. You bring creativity and initiative to special projects, contributing ideas that strengthen ACA’s publishing efforts and expand our reach. Your commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access is embedded in your work, helping ensure our publications reflect and serve the diverse voices within the counseling profession. Through your attention to detail and dedication to publishing excellence, you play an essential role in advancing ACA’s mission to provide high-quality resources for counselors and mental health professionals.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure the quality and editorial integrity of all book publications.
• Perform precise copyediting across a diverse range of scholarly and professional books.
• Conduct detailed line editing to refine grammar, punctuation, and overall clarity.
• Review manuscripts for coherence, consistency, and factual accuracy.
• Verify that all required manuscript elements are complete and prepared for smooth typesetting and production.
• Clean and format files to align with APA style and ACA house style guidelines.
• Identify and address issues with visual materials, such as improperly formatted images, tables, or figures and work with authors and Digital Publishing Specialist to ensure compliant visual materials.
• Notify the Director of Publications when reused content requires copyright permissions or clearance.
• Communicate clearly, professionally, and supportively with authors, contributors, and colleagues.
• Oversee ISBN assignment and coordinate the Cataloging in Publication (CIP) process.
• Contribute to special projects and new initiatives as assigned.
• Apply diversity, equity, inclusion, and access (DEIA) principles to all aspects of editorial work.
• Support the Publications team by responding to inquiries in the shared inbox.
• Foster a collaborative, solutions-oriented approach within the team, proactively addressing challenges and contributing ideas.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in English, Journalism, Communications, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in book publishing, academic publishing, or scholarly communications, with a focus on editorial functions such as developmental editing, copyediting, proofreading, and content development.
• Expertise in applying editorial style guides, including APA Style (latest edition) and The Chicago Manual of Style, with the ability to adapt to and enforce house style guidelines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity with publishing and editorial tools such as Adobe Acrobat, editorial tracking software, or content management systems.
• Exceptional attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines in a fast-paced publishing environment.
• Strong writing, editing, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with authors, contributors, and internal stakeholders.
• Creative problem-solver with a passion for publishing, content development, and contributing to the growth and impact of ACA’s book publishing program.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access (DEIA), with the ability to integrate these principles into editorial work and author relations.
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and adapt to changing project needs.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a small, dynamic publications team.
• Familiarity with the counseling profession, mental health fields, or academic publishing is a plus, but not required.

Location:  Hybrid. Candidate must live within the Washington DC metro area.

An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Pro Disabled and Veteran Employer

At ACA, Equal Employment Opportunity is our commitment and goal. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, marital status or any other protected status designated by federal, state or local law.

About American Counseling Association

The American Counseling Association (ACA) is the world’s largest organization representing professional counselors in various practice settings. Our vision: We are the preeminent advocate and resource for professional counselors and their clients in a world where everyone has access to mental health services. Our mission: Advancing mental health and well-being through advocacy, community, inclusion and research. Our values: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Integrity, Proactive Leadership, Professional Community & Relationships, Scientific Practice & Knowledge, Social Justice & Empowerment. All American Counseling Association team members are encouraged, supported, and expected to demonstrate The Way We Work Values: Be Flexible, Be Creative, Be Empowered, Be Inquisitive, Be Collaborative and Be Respectful.

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