U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Technical Writer-Editor_
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States,
Summary About the Position: The incumbent performs and coordinates complex duties associated with the writing, editing, layout, and publication of documents relating to science and engineering studies and programs carried out as part of the mission of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District (MVP). Responsibilities The incumbent performs all levels of writing and editing tasks for manuscripts and other documents depending upon their condition on submittal, complexity, format, intended audience, distribution mode, and production requirements. Analyze the style, tone, and presentation requirements and independently determines and executes the most appropriate methods for achieving the necessary level of quality in a timely and cost-effective manner. Write, edit, review, and conduct pre-press publishing tasks required for the preparation of technical reports, journal articles, conference papers, research proposals, invention disclosures, and program documentation, In coordination with authors and other subject-matter experts, propose and writes substantive revisions to improve the clarity, sequence, or scope of presentations. Coordinate with authors, technical personnel, management, and reviewers to ensure that technical revisions are correctly incorporated into the final document and research sponsor comments are addressed satisfactorily. Work as an integral part of scientific and engineering project delivery teams to create original content for large, highly complex technical documents and multi-media presentations. Make decisions pertaining to publication design, typography, organizational formats, mechanical style, and literary style where no clear precedent exists. District subject matter expert on Section 508 of The Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Who May Apply: Only applicants who meet one of the employment authority categories below are eligible to apply for this job. You will be asked to identify which category or categories you meet, and to provide documents which prove you meet the category or categories you selected. See Proof of Eligibility for an extensive list of document requirements for all employment authorities. Current Department of Army Civilian Employees Domestic Defense Industrial Base/Major Range and Test Facilities Base Civilian Personnel Workforce Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act Military Spouses, under Executive Order (E.O.) 13473 People with Disabilities, Schedule A Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technician Eligible Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible Priority Placement Program, DoD MR and NG Preference Eligible Tech Receiving Disability Retirement Priority Placement Program, DoD Retained Grade Preference Eligible Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) of 1998 In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements described below. Experience refers to paid and 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document. Experience Requirements: GS-07 Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes meeting TWO OF THE FOLLOWING: ) Review written technical documents for spelling, grammar, punctuation, content, and/or style; 2) write and/or edit technical materials for science or engineering projects; 3) consult with subject matter experts, researchers, web content managers, and/or other writers to ensure written material and other products are comprehensible to a wide audience; 4) ensure compliance with established guidelines of Section 508 of The Rehabilitation Act of 1973; 5) develop style guides and/or editorial standards; and 6) utilize a variety of tools, technology, and materials to develop and/or format documents. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-05). OR Education: One full year of graduate level education that included a total of 15 semester hours in science, engineering, business, or related fields. 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 Superior Academic Achievement: *Please refer to education section below on Superior Academic Achievement*. OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) by 18. Add the two percentages. GS-09 Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes meeting THREE OF THE FOLLOWING: ) Review written technical documents for spelling, grammar, punctuation, content, and/or style; 2) write and/or edit technical materials for science or engineering projects; 3) consult with subject matter experts, researchers, web content managers, and/or other writers to ensure written material and other products are comprehensible to a wide audience; 4) ensure compliance with established guidelines of Section 508 of The Rehabilitation Act of 1973; 5) develop style guides and/or editorial standards; and 6) utilize a variety of tools, technology, and materials to develop and/or format documents. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-07). OR Education: Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree that included a total of 15 semester hours in science, engineering, business, or related fields and at least one course above the introductory level in science, engineering, business, or related fields. 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 Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the first year (total graduate semester hours minus 18) by 18. Add the two percentages. GS-11 Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes meeting FOUR OF THE FOLLOWING: ) Review written technical documents for spelling, grammar, punctuation, content, and/or style; 2) write and/or edit technical materials for science or engineering projects; 3) consult with subject matter experts, researchers, web content managers, and/or other writers to ensure written material and other products are comprehensible to a wide audience; 4) ensure compliance with established guidelines of Section 508 of The Rehabilitation Act of 1973; 5) develop style guides and/or editorial standards; and 6) utilize a variety of tools, technology, and materials to develop and/or format documents. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-09). OR Education: Ph.D or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree that included a total of 15 semester hours in science, engineering, business, or related fields, and at least one course above the introductory level in science, engineering, business, or related fields. 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 Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the second year (total graduate semester hours minus 36) by 18. Add the two percentages. Education GS-12 Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes FIVE OF THE FOLLOWING: ) Review written technical documents for spelling, grammar, punctuation, content, and/or style; 2) write and/or edit technical materials for science or engineering projects; 3) consult with subject matter experts, researchers, web content managers, and/or other writers to ensure written material and other products are comprehensible to a wide audience; 4) ensure compliance with established guidelines of Section 508 of The Rehabilitation Act of 1973; 5) develop style guides and/or editorial standards; and 6) utilize a variety of tools, technology, and materials to develop and/or format documents. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-11).You will be evaluated on the basis of your level of competency in the following areas: "Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone--no substitution of education for experience is permitted". Decision Making Oral Communication Technical Competence Technology Application Writing 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 or equivalent (GS). For GS-07: 52 weeks at the next lower grade level GS-05. For GS-09: 52 weeks at the next lower grade level GS-07. For GS-11: 52 weeks at the next lower grade level GS-09. For GS-12: 52 weeks at the next lower grade level GS-11. Superior Academic Achievement: Successful completion of all the requirements for a bachelor's degree with Superior Academic Achievement. In order to be creditable under this provision, Superior Academic Achievement must have been gained in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled, such as that identified in Education above. Superior Academic Achievement is based on:(1) Class Standing - Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses; OR(2) Grade-Point Average (G.P.A.) - Applicants must have a grade-point average of either (a) 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on your official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or (b) 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum.; OR(3) Honor Society Membership - Applicants may be considered eligible based on membership in one of the approved national scholastic honor societies listed by the Association of College Honor Societies (chshonor.org/). FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: d.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration. You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship. One year trial/probationary period may be required. Direct deposit of pay is required. Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees. If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet. This is a Digital Technology Career Field position. Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement. Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is not authorized, based on a determination that a PCS move is not in the Government interest.