Writer-Editor - Arlington, VA

VetJobs•Arlington, VA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Office of the Chief External Affairs Officer is seeking an experienced Writer-Editor to develop, edit, and coordinate high-level internal and external communications supporting CISA’s mission, workforce, leadership, and stakeholders. The incumbent prepares speeches, leadership messages, talking points, web content, newsletters, and other communications addressing complex or potentially sensitive agency policies, programs, priorities, accomplishments, and events. The position requires substantial experience writing for senior government officials, translating technical or policy information for different audiences, and coordinating communication products across a large organization.

Requirements

At least one year of specialized experience equivalent in scope and responsibility to the GS-12 level in the federal service.
Writing and substantively editing executive-level or senior-leader communications.
Developing speeches, leadership messages, talking points, articles, newsletters, reports, web content, or similar communication products.
Translating complex technical, policy, or program information into clear content tailored to different audiences.
Researching complex or potentially controversial subjects and presenting findings accurately and persuasively.
Interviewing senior leaders, program managers, or subject-matter experts to gather information for communication products.
Applying editorial standards, style requirements, grammar rules, and plain-language principles.
Coordinating high-visibility communication products across multiple offices or stakeholder groups.
Managing communication products from initial concept through review, approval, publication, or distribution.
Developing or applying communication content policies, procedures, or standards.
Collecting and analyzing communication metrics to evaluate product reach, distribution, or effectiveness.
Executive and leadership writing
Substantive and technical editing
Written communication
Research and analysis
Plain-language communication
Audience analysis
Policy and technical content translation
Speechwriting and talking-point development
Web and workforce communications
Editorial quality control
Communication planning
Product and deadline management
Metrics and performance analysis
Stakeholder coordination
Interpersonal communication
Problem solving and independent judgment

Nice To Haves

Significant experience writing for senior government or organizational officials.
Experience developing messages distributed across a department, agency, or similarly large organization.
Experience addressing complex, sensitive, controversial, or rapidly developing subjects.
Ability to write for both internal workforce and external public audiences.
Experience working directly with senior leaders and incorporating their voice, tone, and preferences.
Familiarity with publishing concepts, editorial workflows, communication platforms, and accessibility considerations.
Experience coordinating products requiring input or approval from multiple organizational components.
Experience using communication metrics and product trackers to evaluate effectiveness and manage workflow.
Knowledge of government, national security, cybersecurity, critical infrastructure, emergency management, or another complex mission environment.

Responsibilities

Develop speeches, leadership messages, talking points, web content, newsletters, articles, and other internal and external communication products.
Write materials supporting agency events, mission activities, leadership priorities, and workforce communications.
Perform substantive and technical editing to ensure written products are clear, accurate, consistent, and appropriate for the intended audience.
Ensure communication products comply with agency policy, editorial standards, style requirements, grammar rules, and plain-language principles.
Adapt content and writing style for formats that may include websites, intranet content, newsletters, social media, speeches, talking points, articles, reports, and scripts.
Review materials for consistency with previously released or pending agency communications.
Research and analyze complex information concerning DHS and CISA missions, goals, programs, policies, priorities, activities, and accomplishments.
Translate technical, policy, and program information into clear and compelling content for internal and external audiences.
Gather information by reviewing source material and interviewing subject-matter experts, program managers, and agency leaders.
Analyze the subject matter and intended audience to determine the most effective organization, tone, style, and level of detail.
Help develop and implement communication content policies, procedures, and standards.
Interpret differing or conflicting viewpoints and present information accurately and appropriately.
Draft materials that explain policies, research findings, organizational activities, regulations, and program developments.
Coordinate communication products with senior leaders, program offices, subject-matter experts, and communication professionals across CISA.
Serve as an office representative on CISA’s Internal Communication Council.
Develop talking points and other materials supporting external communication requirements.
Organize product rollouts and track communication products from initial concept through publication or launch.
Coordinate agency-wide input and adjudicate edits for shared communication products.
Meet with senior leaders and their staffs to clarify subject matter, audience, tone, and intended message.
Incorporate leadership preferences and organizational style into written products.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with agency leaders, staff members, contractors, private-sector representatives, and other government officials.
Track communication products, deadlines, distribution methods, and publication status.
Collect and analyze communication metrics.
Evaluate product reach and effectiveness.
Develop and maintain analytical products and trackers covering the communication lifecycle, from concept through publication.
Use findings to support decisions concerning product development, distribution, and future communication strategies.