Technical Writer – Editor

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/15/2024. Grade Requirement: For CTAP eligibility: is at a grade or pay level with a representative rate no higher than the representative rate of the grade or pay level of the CTAP eligible’s permanent position of record; has no greater promotion potential than the CTAP eligible’s permanent position of record; is in the same local commuting area as the CTAP eligible’s permanent position of record; is filled during the CTAP eligible’s eligibility period; and, if applicable; is filled under the same excepted appointing authority as the CTAP eligible’s permanent position of record if the CTAP eligible is an excepted service employee and the agency CTAP provides selection priority in the excepted service. vacancy: All applicants MUST meet the following Individual Occupational Requirements: 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 Specialized Experience (for positions above GS-5): 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 the Individual Occupational Requirements, you MUST also meet the GS-13 specialized experience requirements. You may qualify based on your experience as described below: GS-13 Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-12 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Develops or edits written material designed to reach local, national or international health science audiences with information relevant to SECVA, Congressional, and WH interests that align to VA research studies, innovations, work groups, databases and programs. Produces and disseminates communication products/materials such as feature articles, newsletters, news releases, reports, brochures, scholarly work, presentations, speeches, web materials and reference work. Effectively communicates the processes and results of research in language that can be understood by a general audience. Writes and edits new releases, news and feature articles for internal and external newsletters and magazines, web content, social media, special reports, speeches and a variety of other communication vehicles. Tracks research studies about to be published that can make a positive impact with key audiences, relate to the priority issues of various stakeholders, or may be misinterpreted and reports any such studies to Communications leadership. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Communications and Media Organizational Awareness Partnering Writing 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; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management’s website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.
The position is located in the Office of Research and Development (ORD), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), VA Central Office (VACO) in the Office of the Director of Research and Development. The duties of this position are primarily involved with the development analysis, preparation, and publication of a variety of written material promoting and present the programs and products of the ORD.