Technical Writer / Editor

Title: Technical Writer / Editor

Duration: Full-Time

Location: DC area (Alexandria, VA) - remote work

Client: The National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES)

This position serves as a Technical Writer Editor in the Public Information (STI-PI) section of the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES) at the National Science Foundation.

NCSES conducts comprehensive, nationally representative statistical surveys that serve as the basis for detailed statistical analyses and reports. Survey topics encompass a broad range of economic and demographic indicator areas such as characteristics of science and engineering personnel; K-12 through post-graduate education; industrial, academic, and government research and development (R&D) funding; the science and technology labor market; intersectoral economics; and international science, engineering, and innovation (SEI) indicators. These data support a variety of analytic and statistical documents that help to inform the development of national science and technology policy, capture trends and developments, and further understanding of research topics. All NCSES manuscripts pass through STI-PI for editorial review, composition, and administrative processing before being printed and released to the public.

As a Technical Writer, you will perform the following duties:

• Serves as one of the Center's principal editors, providing substantive, technical, and copy edit services for a range of technical reports and other documents. Documents are typically of a complex statistical and/or analytic nature, including research articles, compendiums of statistical tables, infographics, data visualizations, data tools (including metadata), presentations, methodological documentation, and outreach materials.
• Review grammar, clarity, consistency, and conciseness of publications; check text, tables, and figures for compliance with in-house guidance, including style details.
• Edit with quick turnarounds such material as brief analytic articles, large compendiums of detailed statistical tables, comprehensive analytic and special reports, infographics, data visualizations, and data tools including metadata. Edit other products as needed, including special program solicitations, reference articles, guidance documentation, presentations, and outreach materials.
• Recommend changes to improve the organization, readability, and overall presentation of content, including graphical elements.
• Provide comprehensive quality assurance of publications, products, deliverables, and other documents as necessary, including but not limited to data checking, reference checking, fact and information checking, and proofreading and composition review.
• Manages or assists in managing the flow of published products from conception to printing and distribution.
• Tracks all active products and ensures that the publication process runs smoothly and efficiently.
• Provides expert guidance and assistance to authors with a wide range of skill levels and writing abilities, adjusting editorial assistance and guidance to the needs of the individual author or team of authors.
• Use advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office products suite, particularly MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; Adobe Acrobat PDF software; and other custom-made software tools to draft and edit products within an in-house content management system and adhere to 508 compliance standards as specified.
• Creates or modifies the layout of statistical documents using advanced software knowledge and techniques.
• Complete smaller tasks independently with minimal supervision but also work as part of team on larger, more complex projects under the direction of a more senior editor or project manager. This includes working with authors and other team representatives to review documents, compile corrections and resolve comments toward final publication.
• Participate in regular coordination meetings.
• Perform and support other editorial, writing, or publication and project management-related support activities as needed.

Qualifications

Examples of specialized experience include: assist with the full range of document creation and production, including publication tracking, production management, and quality assurance. Create, edit, and modify documents using software (e.g., Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Adobe Acrobat PDF) and other content management tools. Work with authors of varying writing abilities (from expert to novice), adjusting editorial assistance and guidance to the needs of the individual author or team of authors.

Experience refers to paid/unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) & other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, & skills & can provide valuable training/experience that translates directly to paid work.