Editor onboarding at a glance

Week one covers orientation, safety and shadowing. Days 1–30 build vocabulary and supervised practice on core procedures; days 31–60 move to independent work with competency sign-offs; days 61–90 focus on full productivity, cross-training and a credential plan.

Before day one

Confirm start date, schedule, pay and supervisor in writing
Verify required credentials: Editing certificate, ACES training (as applicable)
Prepare equipment and access: CMS platforms; track changes; AP Stylebook; chicago Manual of Style
Assign a buddy or preceptor
Enroll the new hire in Editor training so foundations are covered before or during week one

Week one: orient and protect

Workplace tour, emergency procedures and incident reporting
Avoid defamation
Check facts
Respect copyright
Protect sources
Shadow an experienced editor through a full shift
Training modules 1–3: role foundations, a day on the job and essential vocabulary (15 terms)

Days 1–30: learn

Goal: perform core tasks safely under supervision.

Supervised practice: edit a story in three passes
Supervised practice: give writers feedback they can use
Supervised practice: write a headline that gets read
Training modules 4–7: duties, step-by-step tasks, tools and safety
30-day check-in: confidence, questions and early wins

Days 31–60: contribute

Goal: handle a regular workload independently.

Plan content: independently
Assign stories: independently
Edit copy: independently
Fact-check: independently
Competency sign-offs completed (see checklist below)
Training final knowledge check and certificate of completion
60-day check-in

Days 61–90: own

Goal: full productivity and a growth plan.

Meet productivity and quality targets for the role
Begin cross-training on a secondary task
Agree on a credential goal (for example, Editing certificate)
Discuss the career path: Editorial Assistant → Copy Editor → Senior Editor
90-day review

Competency checklist

Skill or task	Trained	Observed	Signed off
Edit a Story in Three Passes
Give Writers Feedback They Can Use
Write a Headline That Gets Read
Line editing
Copyediting
Fact-checking
Headline writing

How to measure onboarding success

Time to first independent project
Revision rounds per project
On-time delivery rate
90-day retention

How Editor training maps to this plan

Introduction to the Editor Role
A Day on the Job
Essential Editor Vocabulary
Core Duties and Responsibilities
Common Tasks, Step by Step
Tools, Equipment and Technology
Safety, Compliance and Professional Standards
Skills Employers Look For
Launching Your Editor Career
Final Knowledge Check

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Editor Onboarding Plan (30-60-90 Days)