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WRITER-EDITOR (PRINTED MEDIA)

Department of Defense
National Defense University
Institute for National Strategic Studies (INSS)
This job announcement has closed

Summary

NDU educates joint Warfighters in critical thinking and the creative application of military power to inform national strategy and globally integrated operations, under conditions of disruptive change, in order to conduct war.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
06/29/2020 to 07/28/2020
Salary
$86,335 to - $112,240 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 12
Location
2 vacancies in the following location:
Fort McNair, DC
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-Time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
12
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Announcement number
D-NDU-10843864-20-JS
Control number
572194300

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

All US citizens.

Duties

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1. Edits journal articles, occasional papers, monographs, reports, studies, and books in the fields of national security strategy, defense policy, and national military strategy for the fundamentals of scholarly research and writing, including clear purpose, realizable scope, suitable research methodology, thorough and accurate documentation of sources, scholarly objectivity, originality, coherent organization, persuasive argument, and logical conclusions or recommendations.
-Analyzes graduate/postgraduate-level manuscripts in terms of their objectives, intended readers, writing style, subject matter, and research methodology accuracy. Participates in evaluation and selection of manuscripts.
-Applies professional judgment in conducting research and in selecting and using source materials. Performs independent library and Internet research and consults with specialists to check accuracy of facts and documentation of sources.
-Copy edits manuscripts for syntax, grammar, spelling, punctuation, capitalization, style, publication format, end note and bibliography format, and use of tables and figures.
-Exercises independent judgment in screening and selecting critical material for inclusion in a manuscript file, an important management tool that contains manuscript drafts, records of clearances, reviews, approvals, printing production, and distribution, and other relevant documents.
-Concurrent with editing of manuscript, coordinates with design and typography specialists and graphic artists at the Government Publishing Office Division of Creative Services to ensure timely preparation of appropriate illustrations to accompany and support the text.
-Prepares manuscripts for submission to the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs. Initiates correspondence with copyright holders concerning permission to reprint copyrighted material. Ensures that clearances and permissions have been received prior to publication deadlines.
2. Prepares manuscripts for and coordinates projects throughout the production process, which includes design, layout, printing, post-production tasks, and preparation of electronic edition.
-After final editing of manuscript, prepares and generates materials necessary to produce the printed product based on the manuscript. Ensures that all appropriate components of the publication are prepared: Cover Front Matter such as full and half title pages, copyright and printing notices, dedication, table of contents, list of photos/illustrations, preface, acknowledgments, and introduction; Main Text, and Back Matter, such as appendices, glossary, end notes, bibliography, author biography, and index.
-In general, ensures that design and layout are appropriate for the type of publication and subject matter at hand. Ensures that cover is accurate, attractive, and professionally rendered. Ensures that the overall book design and typographical elements are appropriate, accurate, and consistent from cover to cover.
-Assists in monitoring the printing process through proofreading of page and cover proofs, press sheet and binding inspections, and inspections of final product.
-Performs and coordinates a variety of tasks associated with the post-production phase of publication. Such tasks include but are not limited to inspection and critique of printed product, recording of errors to be corrected for reprints, distribution, return of original materials, collection of reviews and notices, and taking delivery of printer's proofs and the final product.
-Helps prepare electronic editions of publications for posting on the NDU Press website and social media channels and aids in the dissemination of e-publications via various social media channels and e-newsletters.. Applies an understanding of the concepts of electronic publishing and a working knowledge of HTML to ensure electronic editions are accurate, readily accessible, compliant with the NDU website, and properly linked to related publications.
3. Rewrites portions of manuscripts as necessary, cutting, summarizing, expanding, restructuring, and clarifying material while preserving the integrity of the author's style, tone, and meaning. Employs the highest order of literary and editorial judgment to remedy deficiencies in general writing style and to identify and correct needless repetition, inconsistency, incongruity, and inaccuracy. Works directly with academics at graduate and postgraduate levels and with military officers and civilian officials, generally at the level of colonel/GS-15 or more senior grades.
4. Prepares manuscripts for contract editing, proofreading, or indexing. Writes specifications and statement of work to be performed. Monitors and reviews contractor performance and adherence to schedules. Acts as agency's technical representative, dealing directly with contractor. Evaluates completed projects. Maintains awareness of general procurement procedures.
Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship or National
  • Suitable for Federal Employment
  • Registered for Selective Service

Qualifications

One year of specialized experience equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to that of the next lower grade GS-11 within the federal service, which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position, is required. Specialized experience is defined as experience applying principles, practices, and resources associated with the publishing process; various printed media; manuscript acquisition and editing; design and typography; and the offset printing process. In addition, experience using scholarly research methods and writing principals, practices, and resources for the purposes of evaluating manuscripts and checking facts and documentation.

Experience editing articles, papers, reports, and books for style, grammar, spelling, documentation, and conformance to professional standards in preparation of publication.


Volunteer Experience: 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). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

Education is not substitutable for specialized experience for this grade level.

Additional information

  • Our complete benefits package is one of the most comprehensive found in either government or private sector. These extraordinary benefits encompass health, pay, work/life balance, growth & learning.
  • Selections are subject to restrictions resulting from DoD Program for Stability of Civilian Employment.
  • A two year probationary period may be required.
  • Telework availability will be based upon the mission requirements and supervisory determination.
  • We may use this announcement to fill additional vacancies within 90 days of the closing date.
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or be exempt from Selective Service (see http://www.ssa.gov/).
  • Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Priority Consideration: If you are a displaced Federal Civil Service employee and attain a rating of at least 90, you may be entitled to receive special priority selection under the ICTAP. For more information on ICTAP, click here ICTAP Guidance. NOTE: If you have never worked for the Federal Government, you are NOT ICTAP eligible.
  • Retired Civil Service Employee: Employment of retired Federal employees receiving an annuity is subject to the requirements of the Department of Defense (DoD) policy guidance. (See DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 300, at http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives.)
  • If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.
  • Pay for first time hires to the Federal Government will typically be set at step 1 salary range for their respective grade level.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IMPORTANT NOTE - YOU MUST FOLLOW ALL APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY. ERRORS OR OMISSIONS MAY AFFECT YOUR RATING.
Your application will be evaluated and rated under the Category Rating and Selection Procedures. We will review your resume and supporting documentation and compare this information to your responses on the occupational questionnaire to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for this job. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Eligible candidates will then be placed for selection consideration into 3 categories as described below:

  1. Qualified Category: Meets the minimum qualifications and demonstrates minimum experience and/or training only based on responses to occupational questionnaire.
  2. Highly Qualified Category: Meets the minimum qualification requirements and demonstrates full-performance level experience based on responses to occupational questionnaire.
  3. Best Qualified Category: Meets the minimum qualification requirements and demonstrates experience as an expert in the field or recognized as a senior specialist, team lead, etc.The Assessment Questionnaire takes approximately 15 minutes to complete and collects information on your education, training and experience related to the following critical competencies
  • Communication
  • Technical Competence
  • Technical Credibility
  • Web Technology

You can preview the Assessment Questionnaire here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/10843864

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