Available Leadership Positions at AESS
The Association for Environmental Studies and Sciences (AESS) is seeking applications for several editorial leadership positions for their flagship journal, the Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences (JESS). As part of an enhanced editorial structure designed to strengthen journal operations, improve manuscript processing, and support the continued growth of the journal, there are multiple openings at various leadership levels.
We invite qualified and committed members of the environmental studies and sciences community to apply. Due to the short window to fill the editor-in-chief and senior editor positions, priority consideration will be given to applications received by July 17, 2026.
Editor-in-Chief
Seeking candidates to fill the role through 31 Dec 2027, with option to continue.
Senior Editor
Seeking four candidates to fill the role through 31 Dec 2027, with option for renewal.
Associate Editor
Seeking candidates willing to commit to a 2-year term, with option for renewal.
Editor-in-Chief
The editor-in-chief works closely with the Editorial Board and Springer Nature Publishing to produce 4 issues annually.
Role and Responsibilities
- Provide overall editorial leadership and vision.
- Monitor journal performance metrics.
- Control manuscript flow and editorial bottlenecks.
- Monitor Associate Editor and Senior Editor performance.
- Reassign manuscripts when delays occur.
- Handle appeals, ethical concerns, and complex editorial decisions.
- Serve as liaison with Springer and the AESS.
- Lead annual evaluation and appointment of associate editors.
- Produce an annual editorial performance report for the Board
- Hire and train new associate editors as needed
- Hold and run monthly editorial staff meetings
Compensation
Base Compensation: $3,000 annually + up to $2000 reimbursement for travel to conference that is not AESS (must be speaking on a journal panel about JESS or tabling for the journal)
Expected Weekly Time Commitment: 5-10 hours
Senior Editor
Senior Editors guide publications through the editorial process and work closely with Associate Editors. Seeking four people for summer 2026 starts.
Role and Responsibilities
- Oversee assigned subject areas.
- Conduct preliminary manuscript screening.
- Assign manuscripts to Associate Editors.
- Make desk rejection decisions.
- Monitor manuscript progress and editorial timeliness.
- Provide guidance and support to Associate Editors.
- Aid Associate Editors in the identifying and recruitment of reviewers.
- Escalate difficult cases to the Editor-in-Chief.
- Participate in annual editorial board review and planning.
- Attend and participate in monthly editorial staff meetings
Compensation
Base Compensation: $1,500 annually per Senior Editor + travel compensation up to $1500 to attend AESS annual conference (or a conference of choice for JESS promotion during virtual years)
Expected Weekly Time Commitment: 3-7 hours
Associate Editor
Associate editors manage assigned manuscripts through peer review.
Role and Responsibilities
- Manage assigned manuscripts through peer review according to publication schedule
- Identify and recruit reviewers.
- Monitor reviewer progress.
- Evaluate reviews and prepare recommendations.
- Communicate with authors through the editorial system.
- Maintain the quarterly publication schedule (3-4 papers per quarter).
Performance Expectations
- Assignment acknowledged within 5 days.
- Reviewers invited within 14 days.
- Recommendation submitted within 14 days of receipt of reviews.
- No manuscript inactive for more than 30 days without communication.
Compensation
Complimentary AESS membership, after introductory period, for duration of year(s) of service. Duration of Membership and access to Member Benefits are contingent on Editor being in good standing and fulfilling commitments. Bonus earnings opportunity based on performance.
Expected Weekly Time Commitment: 1-3 hours
