Job Description (show details...)

Summary

Plans, writes, and edits technical and administrative communication products e.g., reports, brochures, websites, proposals, procedures, manuals, proceedings, and training materials for both print and online/electronic publication. Specific duties include conducting communication needs assessments, interacting with customers to analyze and develop content, and advising customers on Lab publication policies and procedures.

Job Duties

1. Safety and security are a primary responsibility for all Laboratory employees. Maintains required safety and security training, ensures safety and security compliance, and makes safety and security an integral part of every task, including taking the necessary steps to stop work if continuing the job is unsafe or compromises security.
2. Performs mechanical and substantive edits, correcting grammar, technical usage, content, and organizational problems.
3. Collaborates with Laboratory customers and project teams (peers) to plan, develop, and produce varied communication products.
4. Researches and translates technical information to produce communication products targeted to both technical and non-technical audiences; may entail original writing based on interviews and background research.
5. Ensures communication products comply with Laboratory publication policy, procedures, and style guides.
6. Ensures project budgets and schedules are met; renegotiates both to reflect scope-of-work changes; may set budgets and schedules for communication projects.
7. Serves as subject matter expert in writing, editing, and communication planning.
8. May develop style guides for communication projects; may be responsible for maintaining Laboratory style guides and publications manual.
9. May plan communication strategies, analyzing stakeholder needs and communication goals and recommending best media to meet those needs and goals.
10. Stays current with industry practices and standards related to technical editing and science writing.
11. Fosters a mutually respectful work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment.

Job Knowledge

• Thorough knowledge of standard theories, principles, and practices of technical editing and science writing.
• Experience and demonstrated skill in technical writing and editing; must pass CAS writing and editing test.
• Demonstrated project management knowledge and experience in coordinating publication projects, including establishing and maintaining budgets and schedules.
• Thorough knowledge of Laboratory publication policies, practices, and procedures, including copyright laws.
• Experience juggling the demands of multiple work priorities and working effectively under pressure.
• Experience in conducting research, investigating and analyzing alternative solutions, and recommending solutions to problems.
• Working knowledge of Laboratory programmatic directions and requirements; may have working or specialized knowledge of Laboratory science and technology and/or advanced technical degrees.
• Completes the full CAS writer-editor training.
• Performs proofreading, grammar, and full edits on technical, general-audience, and administrative documents; may produce original writing.
• Demonstrates full knowledge of standard theories, techniques, and practices of technical writing and editing.
• Uses analytical ability and innovative thinking to develop solutions to problems such as assessing audience needs and editing or rewriting to meet the needs of a publication's targeted audience and purpose.
• Ensures projects adhere to budgets and schedules; works simultaneously on multiple projects, independently setting work priorities to meet changing deadlines and scope-of-work definitions.
• Recommends new processes and procedures to ensure compliance with changing Laboratory or DOE publication requirements.
• Work is done to customer specifications; work is reviewed upon completion by customer and group management.
• Interacts with peers, group management, and technical staff; takes lead in solving writing, editing, and document production problems.

Education

• Typically has bachelor's degree plus several years of experience or master's degree in English, journalism, technical communication, or a physical/social science.

Direction

A. Supervision Received

• Receives functional and operational direction from the writer-editor manager 2 and communication arts and services (CAS) manager 4.

B. Supervision Exercised

• Coordinates and may direct work of technical communicators (peers) in developing and producing communication products that require teaming.

C. Contacts

• Contacts Laboratory personnel and management and members of IRM core and field services to provide editing and/or writing services.

This description is not intended to be a complete statement of every aspect of the position, but rather to act as a guide to the essential functions to be performed. Assigned functions of this job may vary, and other duties and responsibilities may be assigned or changed at the discretion of management.