Digital and Print Content Writer
Description
At VMD, now a part of Xcelerate Solutions, you have the opportunity to thrive in your career and become a Game Changer. The quality and talent of our people is what drives our success. We embrace an employee-first culture and make it a priority to provide professional development opportunities that foster career growth.
We help protect American Citizens and the nation’s most critical infrastructure by working alongside our customers and delivering game changing solutions to strengthen their missions. We believe our passion and commitment to achieve our customers' goals and solve their most critical challenges defines who we are. We don’t just dream big, we act on it – through teamwork, dedication, and resilience.
In this Social Media Writer role, you will have the opportunity to:
- Produce high-quality digital and print content, including articles, fact sheets, blogs, white papers, press releases, web pages, and policy summaries. This work will translate complex scientific and technical concepts into plain language, ensure factual accuracy through research and collaboration with subject-matter experts, and comply with the Plain Writing Act of 2010 and Section 508 accessibility requirements. Content will be developed to address both routine and sensitive or potentially controversial topics of stakeholder interest.
- Write and edit articles, white papers, fact sheets, blogs, press releases, web pages, and other publications on science topics of stakeholder interest, including those addressing significant or potentially controversial topics.
- Translate complex scientific and technical concepts into plain language for non-expert audiences.
- Draft and edit web content summarizing policies and guidance for proposers and awardees.
- Conduct research and fact-checking, collaborating with OLPA staff, program officials, and scientists to ensure accuracy and clarity of all written products.
- Ensure all products comply with the "Plain Writing Act of 2010" and Section 508 accessibility standards.
Job requirements
- Minimum 5 years of professional writing and editing experience, including at least 3 years' experience writing about scientific and technological subjects.
- Experience writing for federal agencies, scientific funders, or research-focused organizations (preferred).
- Experience writing both short- and long format content, including press releases, fact sheets, blogs, reports and webpages.
- Experience conducting research and fact-checking using written sources and direct interviews with subject-matter experts.
- Degree in journalism, communications or a science-related field (preferred).
- Ability to distill complex scientific and technical topics into clear, compelling language for diverse audiences.
- Proficiency in AP Style, plain language writing, and editing for scientific accuracy.
- Familiarity with federal communication requirements, including the "Plain Writing Act of 2010" and Section 508 compliance.
- Knowledge of search engine optimization (SEO) and answer engine optimization (AEO) principles.
- Submit two writing samples
Basic Qualifiers:
- Education Requirement: Bachelor’s degree, with preferred concentration in Digital publishing, Editorial design, Science communication, UX/UI or information design, Multimedia storytelling.
- Can Additional Years of Experience Substitute for Degree? No
- Minimum Years of Overall Experience: 5
- Desired Certification: Adobe Creative Cloud Certification, Content Strategy Certification, Digital Publishing or Editorial Design Certificate.
- Minimum Clearance to Start: Public Trust
- Work Status Allowable: US Citizen or Permanent Resident
Travel and Telecommuting:
- Travel: Some (between 10-25%)
- Telecommute Options: On site. Ability to work core hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
VMD provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable Federal, state and local laws. VMD maintains a drug-free workplace.