External Description

Sr. Technical Writer

The Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), the largest airline pilot union in the world and the largest non-governmental aviation safety organization in the world (representing over 65,000 pilots at 40 U.S. and Canadian airlines) seeks an experienced Senior Technical Writer for our Tysons (McLean), Virginia office. The Sr. Technical Writer is the primary writer for Air Line Pilot magazine content, which serves as a foundation for most content generated for member and external audience messaging. They are responsible for researching and writing technical aviation news, advocacy pieces, and speeches that advance the Association’s strategic goals and promote ALPA’s value to its members as well as coordinating with subject matter experts to provide strategic and tactical communications support for Master Executive Councils (MECs). To be successful, they will stay well-informed on technical developments throughout the aviation industry, monitoring the activities of the FAA, NTSB, TC, TSB, TSA, and other government agencies on issues relevant to the membership. They also report on activities of ALPA’s Air Safety Organization (ASO).

Day-to-day, they draft copy for magazine feature and department articles, as well as content for speeches and public remarks, internal messaging (e.g., FastRead), ALPA’s websites, white papers, fact sheets, video scripts, podcast scripts, infographics, house/paid ads, MEC/LEC publications, and other member outreach, including executive correspondence and action alerts. Speechwriting includes coordinating across departments and preparing ALPA leadership for various events – both external and internal – such as testimony before Congress or Parliament, aviation industry meetings and panel discussions, Association meetings, and more.

Interpersonal communication skills must include the ability to establish and maintain rapport internally as well as with air carrier flight crews and technical experts while monitoring membership opinions, trends, and events relevant to ALPA’s goals. They must also be able to manage numerous projects simultaneously.

Interested applicants are requested to submit online portfolio link(s) showing previous work.

Local travel: 10 - 20%, sporadically 30%.

ALPA is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in a safe workplace. We prohibit discrimination, harassment and harmful behavior of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, gender identity, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or other protected characteristics as outlined in federal or provincial laws. We highly value everyone and all are encouraged to apply, including minorities, veterans, and people with disabilities.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in relevant area, e.g., Journalism, Communications, English, or related field, from an accredited college or university required; master’s degree or completion of post-graduate courses in related field preferred; or, the equivalent combination of education and practical experience.
• Five (5) or more years of advocacy communications experience required.
• Feature writing, script writing, speech writing, blog writing, social media, and/or public relations strongly preferred.
• Aviation experience and/or knowledge strongly preferred. At management discretion, significant and in-depth, directly applicable, experience may be substituted for some of the above requirements.
• Extensive writing experience, particularly with technical content and speeches.
• Exceptional writing skills, delivering the highest quality copy for multiple projects on time, every time.
• Strong strategic judgment and skills necessary to interact with national officers, directors, and committee chairpersons.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, oral and written, for effective interaction with internal staff, line pilots, pilot committees, officers, governing bodies, external contacts, and others, as required.
• Attention to detail, especially when reviewing and editing.
• Extensive knowledge of Association policy, structure, and strategic plans preferred.
• Must be a self-starter with professional maturity and sound judgment, capable of independent decision-making.
• Must possess exceptional time management skills; be able to work in a fast-paced, multi-tasking environment; and, transition easily between projects.
• Software: Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint required.

Physical Demands:

Note: The physical demands described herein are characteristic of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential physical activities of this position described below.

Constantly operates a computer/smartphone/tablet. Regularly required to maintain a stationary position, move about the office and the local metropolitan area, determine what others have said or written, and converse with others and exchange accurate information.

Regularly required to sit, stand, bend, reach, and move about the office and travel (locally, nationally, and internationally). Also includes occasional bending, stooping, squatting, and/or pushing and pulling or moving, e.g., to pack, unpack, and/or move cases.

Occasionally required to move, raise, reach, and/or retrieve binders, books, boxes, and files up to ten (10) pounds (lbs.). While on travel, could be responsible to move, raise, reach, and/or retrieve luggage weighing as much as 50 lbs. (Assistance may not always be available.) 

Relocation Not Provided.

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