Technical Writer Editor, GS- NF
Job Location:
Alexandria, VA - USA
Yearly Salary:
Posted:
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
Job Summary
This Technical Writer Editor position is located in the Executive Office of the Director (EOD). The primary purpose of the position is to support the Executive Secretariat with the development and implementation of internal and external communications activities for organizational programs and strategic communications planning and implementation.
As a Technical Writer Editor you will perform the following duties:
- Develop analyze proofread and edit high-quality documents that accurately portray policies procedures and other technical topics.
- Work closely with others in reviewing documents that are ready for issuance which often deal with highly complex and potentially controversial topics.
- Analyze interpret and integrate information in a variety of formats including graphics tables databases and spreadsheets.
- Advise U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) staff and managers on the development of a wide variety of written products including audit reports testimonies congressional correspondence and special reports.
- Coordinate activities within the agency as well as contact with other federal agencies Congress and White House personnel.
- Review written products to ensure they comply with writing principles and established policies and procedures.
- Conduct independent research to identify and provide needed context for understanding complex material and audit messages.
- Work with the Executive Secretary and NSF Knowledge Management Chief in formulating and promulgating writing policies procedures and guidelines and in developing products that support the agencys mission.
- You must be a U.S. citizen.
- Selectee will be required to have a background investigation prior to onboarding.
Time in Grade Requirement: Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade/equivalent.
You must meet eligibility and qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date.
You must answer all job-related questions in the NSF eRecruit questionnaire and any external assessment that is included.
All online applicants must provide a valid email address. If your email address is inaccurate or your mailbox is full/blocked you may not receive important communication that could affect your consideration for this position.
It is NSF policy that personnel employed at or Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) individuals detailed to NSF are not permitted to participate in foreign talent recruitment programs. Failure to comply with this NSF policy could result in disciplinary action up to and including removal from Federal Service or termination of an IPA assignment and referral to the Office of Inspector General.
NSF has determined that all of its positions are eligible for situational telework. Situational telework may be approved on an occasional basis in accordance with agency policy supervisory approval and operational requirements. Selected candidates interested in telework or other workplace flexibility arrangements should discuss available options with the selecting official. Participation in telework is voluntary and requires an approved telework agreement.
To be considered for the position you must meet the following qualification requirements:
Basic Occupational Series Requirements:
Education
Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Must have included a total of 15 semester hours in an appropriate scientific technical or social science field(s) and at least one course above the introductory level in the field(s) covered by the position. For technical manuals and specifications writers or editors the equivalent of 15 semester hours may have been gained through vocational or educational training above the high school level at a public private or Armed Forces school.
OR
Experience
Experience that required substantial subject-matter or technical knowledge of the field. This experience must have demonstrated the ability to acquire and present technical information through independent reading interviews with subject-matter specialists observation of tests and experiments interpretation of blueprints or diagrams or other appropriate methods. Such experience may have been acquired as a writer or editor of technical reports articles manuals or specifications.
In addition to meeting the Basic Occupational Series Requirements applicants must have the following:
Specialized Experience
To qualify at the GS-11 level you must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level in the federal service developing editing and reviewing technical documents and procedures for an organization.
OR possess a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree;
OR possess 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree;
OR possess a combination of post-high school education and experience that together meet the qualification requirements for this position.
Examples of experience include:
- Drafting technical communications materials or documents for review.
- Conducting technical research.
- Contacting technical experts for information/clarification.
- Editing technical documents.
To qualify at the GS-12 level you must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in the federal service developing researching analyzing and editing written materials to convey complex information to internal and external audiences.
Examples of experience include:
- Developing communications materials on technical topics.
- Editing technical documents for content grammar formatting etc.
- Aligning written materials with writing and editing guidelines and supervisory guidance.
- Performing technical research.
To qualify at the GS-13 level you must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level in the federal service leading the development and implementation of technical documentation strategies standards templates editorial guidelines or quality-control processes for an organization.
Examples of experience include:
- Developing new ways to communicate complex topics to a variety of audiences.
- Closely collaborating with technical subject matter experts to write and edit documents for publication.
- Ensuring compliance with writing and editing guidelines and procedures.
- Conducting research and analysis on a variety of technical topics.
Experience refers to paid/unpaid experience including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g. Peace Corps AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g. professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community student social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies knowledge and skills and can provide valuable training/experience that translates directly to paid work. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience including volunteer experience.
Basic Occupational Series Requirements
If using undergraduate or graduate level education to show you meet the Basic Occupational Series Requirements described in Qualifications you must submit TRANSCRIPTS (unofficial copies are acceptable) that verify that the occupational series requirements are met.
Specialized Experience
Education may be substituted for experience as described in Qualifications at the GS-11 level. If qualifying based on education you must submit TRANSCRIPTS (unofficial copies are acceptable) or a DIPLOMA that verifies that the requirement is met.
Education may enhance skills required for this position at the GS-12 and GS-13 levels; however no substitution of education for specialized experience may be made at these levels.
Relocation expenses WILL NOT be paid.
Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP)
ICTAP and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP or CTAP consideration you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your ICTAP or CTAP eligibility; 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement; and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified you must meet the following: OPM qualification requirements for the position all selective factors where applicable; special OPM approved qualifying conditions for the position; is physically qualified with reasonable accommodation where appropriate to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry; and receives a rating of at least Very Good on the assessment. You must provide proof of eligibility with your application to receive selection priority. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of ICTAP or CTAP eligibility or a copy of your separation personnel action form.
Additional information regarding ICTAP or CTAP eligibility is available from OPMs Career Transition Resources.
Veterans Preference:
If you are entitled to veterans preference you should indicate the type of veterans preference you are claiming on your resume. Your veterans preference entitlement will be verified by the employing agency. For 5-point veterans preference please provide your DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) official statement of service from your command if you are currently on active duty or other official documentation (e.g. documentation of receipt of a campaign badge or expeditionary medal) that proves your military service was performed under honorable conditions. For 10-point veterans preference please submit a SF-15 (Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference) DD-214 and official documentation of a compensable service-connected disability of 10% or more or other required documentation as specified on the SF-15.
Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests:
If you believe you have a disability (i.e. physical or mental) covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position after notification of the adjudication of your request you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government passionate about the ideals of our American republic and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
