XML Conversion Contractor, Harvard Business Publishing, Watertown MA
Posted July 31, 2013
XML-Focused Contract Position with Harvard Business School’s Publishing Group
Harvard Business Publishing’s Higher Education division (HBP HE) has an opening for an XML Conversion Contractor to work on converting Word documents to XML and EPUB formats using in-house software. The position is full-time (though can be flexible for the right candidate), will last through at least September, and has a rate of $20 an hour. HBP is located at the Arsenal complex in Watertown, Massachusetts, and there is a free shuttle to the Arsenal from the Charles Hotel and other locations in Harvard Square.
HBP HE sells content from Harvard Business School (HBS) and other sources to business schools around the world via our Harvard Business for Educators website as well as a series of business-to-business delivery models. The content we sell includes HBS case studies, case studies written by other top business schools, Harvard Business Review magazine articles and trade book chapters, and a series of eLearning products. The company is current managing a very large content transformation initiative for the Higher Education division. We’re evolving from a PDF-based distribution and workflow to an XML-based workflow that will allow us to add mobile-friendly (EPUB) and online (HTML) formats to our distribution. In addition to becoming “frontlist compliant” and generating XML-based content for all new content, this project in particular entails us converting and testing roughly 3,500 backlist case study documents.
Tasks would include:
- Converting source Word documents to HE XML and EPUB using proprietary software.
- Reviewing HE XML for compliance with predetermined standards.
- Testing EPUB files on an iPad for quality of display and functionality, including many added enhancements.
- Trouble-shooting issues in source documents.
- Identifying bugs and possible improvements to converter software.
- Updating file status through spreadsheets and project tracking software.
- Working collaboratively in an agile environment to most efficiently complete the conversion project.
This initiative falls outside the traditional LIS space. We’re looking for a candidate who has an interest in XML and data interoperability from the content workflow/production side. You do not need to be a software engineer at all, but technical interest and aptitude for looking at the ‘code’ of documents will be a key component of the work. Ideally you have taken, or are in the process of taking, GLIS classes such as:
- LIS 469 – XML – eXtensible Markup Language
- LIS 531Z – Data Interoperability and Web-Based Resources
- LIS 445 – Metadata
- LIS 448 – Digital Stewardship
This is a major strategic initiative for both Harvard Business Publishing and Harvard Business School. You will have the chance to help build and test a world-class XML content workflow for a publisher – a true “lab” environment for how XML benefits industry. And you’ll have the opportunity to work with some of the world’s premier consultants and vendors in the XML workflow and ebook space.
Interested parties should contact:
Lisa Post
Assistant Director, Higher Education Content Production
Harvard Business Publishing