ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

MEDIA ASSISTANT

• Research, review, draft, and present a daily compilation of current news stories from various news publications related to Head Start and its grantees and report within 24-48 hours of breaking news.
• Compile and deliver monthly media monitoring reports.
• Support development of continuous quality improvement methods to improve user engagement and satisfaction and ensure all relevant media is captured and reported; recommend process improvements.
• Scan the Federal Register and Grant Notices for relevant announcements and funding opportunities on which to report.

EDITOR

• Transcribe or edit transcriptions of webinars.
• Using the existing style guide, copyedit material produced by and for the client for social media, e-blasts, newsletters, and web copy.
• Identify and recommend improvements where applicable to the style guide.
• With support from senior writer/editors, subject matter experts, science librarians, and/or the Project Director, conduct research to support content outlines and ongoing content development; compile general bibliographies and research summaries to serve as the foundation for evidence-based content development.
• Contribute to the development of substantive, well-cited product outlines to support draft content development.
• Assist with tracking a range of editorial processes; support staff in meeting content development milestones related to drafting, content reviews and revisions, editing, formatting, quality control, and final content production.
• Compile substantive feedback from clients, reviewers, subject matter experts, and other contributors; organize feedback and assist with implementing it in revised drafts; review updated content drafts to confirm feedback has been incorporated.
• Contribute to the writing and revision processes for evidence-based content about project- specific health, social science, criminal justice, child welfare, or related project topics for audiences including state/federal policy makers; social science and health professionals; criminal justice and child welfare professionals; patients and their families; researchers and academics; and the public.
• Assist senior writer/editors in updating published content to reflect research advances, new guidance, and recommendations, evolving best practices and industry standards, legislative and regulatory changes, and so forth.
• Assist with developing, updating, and expanding project and corporate style guides and product-specific style sheets.
• Attend conferences, workshops, seminars, and other trainings to learn industry best practices and standard editorial policies/procedures/approaches; summarizes information from these events for project and corporate communications and content development teams.

MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS:

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in English, Communications, Comparative Literature, Journalism, or a public health-related field

Experience:

• Minimum 2+ years professional writing and editing
• Demonstrated writing and editing skills as proven through work samples showcasing content across a range of formats and publication channels.
• Experience working with MS SharePoint or similar document-sharing platforms that enable multiple users to access, edit, and track revisions to a live document at once in real time.
• Experience in digital-first communications as well as adapting writing style for digital channels (an ability to customize content as needed across channels)

Knowledge:

• Ability to identify and compile topic-specific research literature for review by senior writer/editors, science librarians, and/or subject matter experts; ability to support incorporation of research findings into new or updated content.
• Superior command of spelling, grammar, punctuation, and syntax; proven ability to apply this knowledge in alignment with common industry style guides (e.g., AMA, AP, APA, Chicago, GPO).

Soft Skills:

• Ability to handle multiple projects at once while maintaining exceptional quality standards and aligning with project and/or industry standard editorial guidelines and best practices.
• Attention to detail
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to multitask and consistently meet deadlines.

Language:

English fluency (oral and written)

Software Proficiency:

• Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) Working knowledge of content revision functions in Adobe Acrobat.
• Working knowledge of project/publication tracking and management software, such as MS Project, Smartsheet, Basecamp, Asana, Trello, and so forth.
• Familiarity with plagiarism detection platforms/software.

LOCATION:

Remote

***Please note that if you are located within a 50-mile radius to the North Bethesda or San Mateo offices, this would be a hybrid role.***

SECURITY CLEARANCE:

Applicant must be able to pass a background check and obtain security clearance and/or badging credentials from a federal agency if required for a specific contract.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to sit forprolonged periods at a desk or computer workstation.
• Regularly uses a computer, keyboard, and mouse.
• Normal or corrected vision to read documents, view computer screens, and perform tasks that require visual accuracy.
• Ability to hear and understand spoken information in person and over the phone.
• Minimal lifting and carrying may be required, typically light office supplies or documents.
• Ability to move within the office environment to access equipment, files, and interact with colleagues.
• Ability to handle occasional stress related to deadlines, workloads, or challenging tasks.

OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED: This position description should not be construed to imply that these requirements are the exclusive standards of the position, nor will it be the sole basis for any subsequent employee evaluations. Incumbents will follow any other instructions and perform any other related duties as may be required by their supervisor.