Becoming a Content Editor

Becoming a web content editor for a university is more than proofreading—it’s a position of trust. You help shape how the institution presents itself to students, parents, faculty, and the public. Every word you review contributes to the university’s credibility, clarity, and reputation. Your role is very important as you must ensure that information is accurate, inclusive, and accessible. You're helping uphold the voice and values of the university itself.

Content Editors update and edit assigned website areas assigned to their departments. A Supervisor’s as well as the UTC Web Team’s approval is required before being assigned this responsibility. Their work may be subject to review and must adhere to university content standards:

Key Responsibilities:

• Posts new or updating existing content as required on a frequent basis.
• Ensures alignment with UTC’s mission, values, and goals. See UTC's Strategic Plan.
• Adheres to university standard of writing style and tone. See Editorial Guidelines.
• Monitors and improves accessibility, SEO, and best practices compliance [The website must comply with accessibility standards such as WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) to ensure usability for individuals with disabilities. Our QA tool, Silktide, is provided to assist with this.]
• Executes quality assurance: This includes receipt of reports AND expedient implementation of results from Silktide.
• Receives mandatory training and any refreshers in Drupal/WordPress CMS and Silktide Academy (includes accessibility training, SEO, and other quality assurance tools).
• Is knowledgeable about UTC branding and Web Governance Guidelines (coming soon).
• Ensures that content is accurate, up-to-date, and free from errors. (Communications and Marketing can assist with content information and compliance.)
• Ensures that no offensive, inappropriate, or unauthorized content is posted.
• Ensures that all published content complies with applicable laws, including copyright, data privacy, and accessibility regulations.

Criteria

Below are the criteria for becoming a Content Editor for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga:

• Site in question has high traffic and requires frequent edits.
• There is not a Content Editor already established or a current designated Content Editor will be replaced by the requestor.
• The Content Editor requestor is faculty or staff member of UTC, not a GA or student. (NOTE: Content Editors are not allowed to share their login with GAs, students or anyone else as this exposes the Content Editors to abuse in other UTC login areas such as their emails.)
• Content Editor is committed to keeping the site fresh. Logs in frequently and seeks to improve their unit.
• Content Editor keeps accessibility and mobile-friendliness in mind.
• Content Editor must attend required training in Canvas and refresher courses.
• Content Editor must receive FERPA training annually.
• Content Editor commits to reading The Content Compass bi-monthly e-newsletter to ensure that they are kept up-to-date with the latest news regarding UTC websites. (New content editors are automatically added to the UTC Web Team's email address list.)
• If the Content Editor is rarely attentive to their site’s change rate or they do not obtain the required training, they will lose their section editor status. Editors who've not logged in for more than one year will have their status revoked.
• If these criteria are not met, there are two options for requesting website changes:
  • The ticketing system (for infrequent requests)
  • An assigned liaison (for a relatively longer-term project): A liaison is a student worker who will be assigned to the client to provide a “one-point” person for consistent and non-repetitive communication throughout the project's process. 

To request becoming a Content Editor, please go here.