What are the responsibilities and job description for the Technical Writer-Editor DIRECT-HIRE position at Office of the Managing Director?
This position is in the Office of the Managing Director, Executive Secretariat Division. The Office of the Managing Director provides the strategic direction of the organization and guides and support the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) programs to ensure independence, competency, efficiency, and effectiveness of the Board. The Executive Secretariat Division coordinates all official written material sent to the NTSB and isued by the agency.
A. 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
B. 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 Requirement, applicants must also possess the following specialized experience:
Applicants MUST possess one year of specialized experience typically in or directly related to the position being filled equivalent to the GS-12 in the Federal service or obtained in the private or public sector. Specialized Experience is defined as: Experience drafting, editing, and writing technical replies to the public regarding transportation events, investigations, or safety issues in clear accessible language; managing the creation, review, and publication of key agency reports ensuring accuracy, consistency and timely response; write, revise, and maintain internal policy documents, including standard operating procedures and compliance documentation.
NOTE: IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your resume must clearly show the specialized experience and competencies related to this position. Failure to demonstrate how you possess the education, specialized experience and/or competencies will result in an "Ineligible" rating.
Qualifications:
To qualify for this position, you must meet one of the following Basic Requirements:A. 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
B. 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 Requirement, applicants must also possess the following specialized experience:
Applicants MUST possess one year of specialized experience typically in or directly related to the position being filled equivalent to the GS-12 in the Federal service or obtained in the private or public sector. Specialized Experience is defined as: Experience drafting, editing, and writing technical replies to the public regarding transportation events, investigations, or safety issues in clear accessible language; managing the creation, review, and publication of key agency reports ensuring accuracy, consistency and timely response; write, revise, and maintain internal policy documents, including standard operating procedures and compliance documentation.
For more information see link: Technical Writing and Editing Series 1083 (opm.gov)
The ideal candidate is an experienced mid-career professional with comprehensive knowledge and experience with English grammar, plain language writing, and editing practices. Has experience writing, editing, and publishing complex documents of a scientific or technical nature and/or political appointments.NOTE: IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your resume must clearly show the specialized experience and competencies related to this position. Failure to demonstrate how you possess the education, specialized experience and/or competencies will result in an "Ineligible" rating.
Responsibilities:
As a Technical Writer-Editor DIRECT-HIRE,GS-1083-13, you will perform the following major duties:- Manages the production of key agency reports, including the Annual Report to Congress, budget submissions, and the Performance and Accountability Report. Coordinates with project managers to write, rewrite, and edit agency reports, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and alignment with agency goals. Collaborates with the Investigator-in-Charge and other modal staff to address editorial and technical concerns and assists in determining the relevance of information for inclusion in documents.
- Serves as the agency's expert on style, grammar, and usage, and oversees updates to the Product Development Guide (e.g. NTSB style guide) to reflect changes in technical editorial policy. Provides training and guidance to junior writers, editors, and new staff, helping them align with the agency's tone, phrasing, and writing standards. Reviews the work of mentors' junior staff, offering constructive feedback and ensuring consistent quality for correspondence, agency directives, and other routine documents.
- Writes and/or revises internal policy documents, including Board orders, operation bulletins, and standard operating procedures. Sets standards and guidelines for document production within the agency.
- Develops content for replies to incoming general correspondence related to the public's questions, especially regarding recent transportation events and investigations, suggestions for transportation safety improvements, and other issues and requests. Often confers with the Investigator-in-Charge, modal directors or deputies, and modal division chiefs for technical content and scope.
- Writes, rewrites, and edits correspondence, memoranda, and other products (e.g., chairman correspondence, notation memos) for the Office Director's and the Chair's signatures.
Salary : $121,785