technical writer Newport News, VA
Job description
Job ID:
13159
Location:
Newport News, VA
Category:
Public Relations
Division:
COO
Position Type:
Regular
Education:
High School Diploma
Experience Required:
9+ years
Relocation Provided:
No
Position Description
Come join our team at Jefferson Lab, where great minds matter.
Posting Date: 06/06/2023
Salary Range: $69,300 - $104,000 (SA II)
Work Location Type: Hybrid (The business needs for this position require a heavy on-site presence)
What your job will look like:
The Technical Writer/Editor reports to the Communications Office Manager and works with laboratory leadership, graphic designers, and technical and administrative staffs to develop consistent, high-quality written and visual documentation in support of the Jefferson Lab mission. The incumbent will support efforts in scientific and technical documentation and will be involved in the generation of proposals, white papers, feature articles, reports and presentations essential to the effective operation of a world-leading nuclear physics research center.
In this role you will:
Lead, develop, or assist in the development of a wide range of written products that clearly communicate complex scientific and/or technical details in terms that are easily understandable by the target audience.
Work individually or as part of a team on development of communications materials, including official reports, briefings, proposals, white papers, feature articles, speeches, scripts, presentations and correspondence.
Deliver engaging, concise and factually correct copy on a range of topics in the appropriate format on deadline.
Read and understand journal articles; conduct interviews of subject matter experts; and research technical document sources for use in the development of communications materials that are easily understandable to target audiences.
Create, review and edit communication products that are of exceptional quality, style, content and clarity. This includes proofreading and editing for spelling, grammar and syntax issues and ensuring the attractiveness of corporate documents by checking margins, word spacing, repetitive word breaks, and so forth.
Manage the lifecycle of communication products, including: preparing schedules, outlines and contributor guidance; monitoring and reporting progress; anticipating sources of delay; reviewing and editing input in coordination with contributors; coordinating review and approval cycles; and preparing final products for distribution and archiving.
Champion the lab’s editorial style guide and serve as an expert resource on issues of grammar and style, while also monitoring emerging trends and adapting the guide to meet the lab’s changing needs.
Collaborate with electronic media specialists to develop tables, figures and illustrations that help convey complex subjects. This includes converting appropriate corporate documentation into easily digestible and highly visual content for posting on the laboratory’s website, for use in presentations and as standalone printed collateral.
Research, lead development of and integrate infographics, illustrations, audio, and video components into communications materials, as needed.
Collaborate with the lab’s photographer and processing archivist to catalog images for effective storage, search and reuse in future presentations and documentation.
Research laboratory information storage systems and collaborate with the lab’s publications manager to develop a streamlined process that adheres to documentation requirements for the production, control, retention and easy access of select communication products.
Qualifications We Require:
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Professional and Technical Writing, Communications, Journalism or English or related studies*
Experience:
Five or more years of practical work experience in an academic, technical or research and development environment*
- or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience
Excellent command of the English language with extensive writing, copy editing and proofreading experience while adhering to a specific style guide (e.g. Associated Press, Turabian, Chicago, New York Times, MLA or APA).
Experience juggling prioritized tasks with competing deadlines.
Detail-oriented and self-sufficient, being able to handle high-quality editing of both online and offline content with minimal supervision.
Experience writing and editing communication products in conformity with organizational standards.
Experience working with graphic artists to develop tables, figures, and illustrations to convey complex subjects.
Experience presenting and expressing ideas and information clearly and in a manner appropriate for the audience, facilitating the open exchange of information, and skillfully negotiating schedules and solutions with leadership, staff and contractors.
Ability and resolve to commit to (i) the safety of staff, contractors, vendors, suppliers, users and visitors, (ii) a respectful, diverse and inclusive work environment, and (iii) integrity, ethical conduct and avoidance of real or perceived conflicts of interest.
Qualifications We Desire:
Technical Writing Certification or equivalent
Longstanding membership in a professional society in technical writing or a related field, such as Society for Technical Communication, Association for Business Communication, IEEE Professional Communication Society, American Medical Writers Association, National Association of Science Writers, Society of Professional Journalists, and ACES: The Society for Editing
About Jefferson Lab
Join a community with a common purpose of solving the most challenging scientific and engineering problems of our time. The Jefferson Lab campus is located in southeastern Virginia amidst a vibrant and growing technology community.
A career at Jefferson Lab is more than a job. You will be part of “big science” and work alongside top scientists and engineers from around the world unlocking the secrets of our visible universe. Managed by Jefferson Science Associates, LLC; Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility is entering an exciting period of mission growth and is seeking new team members ready to apply their skills and passion to have an impact. You could call it work, or you could call it a mission. We call it a challenge. We do things that will change the world.
Total Rewards at Jefferson Lab
At Jefferson Lab, we believe that a comprehensive employee benefits program is an important and meaningful part of the compensation employees receive. Our benefits program includes, but is not limited to:
Medical, Dental, and Vision Care Plans
Flexible Spending Accounts
Paid Time-off and Leave Programs (Paid Parental, vacation, holidays, and sick leave)
401(k) Plan – 9% Lab Contribution; 100% vested
Flexible Work Arrangements (Remote & Alternate Work Schedules available)
Tuition Assistance, Training and Professional Development Programs
Live near the waterways of the Chesapeake Bay region with access to nearby beaches, mountains, and all major metropolitan centers on the East Coast
Jefferson Science Associates, LLC (JSA) manages and operates the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (Jefferson Lab). JSA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, or veteran status or on any other basis prohibited by federal, state, or local law. As part of the JSA’s equal employment opportunity policy, we also take affirmative action as called for by applicable laws and Executive Orders to ensure that minority group individuals, females, disabled veterans, recently separated veterans, other protected veterans, Armed Forces, and qualified disabled persons are introduced into our workforce and considered for promotional opportunities.
JSA is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities (unless doing so will result in an undue hardship). If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to employment @ jlab.org or call (757) 269-7598 to provide the nature of your request. Reasonable accommodations are considered on a case-by-case basis.
Employment with JSA is conditional upon DOE approval if at any time during your employment you are participating in a Foreign Government Talent Recruitment Program or Affiliated activity. Generally, such programs/activities include any foreign-state-sponsored attempt to acquire U.S.-funded scientific research through programs run or funded by the government that target scientists, engineers, students, academics, researchers, and entrepreneurs of all nationalities working or educated in the United States. This includes positions or appointments, both domestic and foreign, titled academic, professional, or institutional appointments whether or not remuneration is received and whether full-time, part-time or voluntary
About Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility
CEO: Stuart Henderson
Revenue: $100 to $500 million (USD)
Size: 501 to 1000 Employees
Type: Government
Website: www.jlab.org
Year Founded: 1984
