Technical Writer/Editor

LLNL$95K — $140K *
Technical Services
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • U.S. citizenship required for a Department of Energy Q-level security clearance.
  • Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, engineering, or related technical field, or equivalent experience.
  • Experience in technical writing, editing, and documentation development.
  • Proficient in editing technical content with adherence to standards and conventions.
  • Quick learner of complex technical subjects and effective communicator with diverse stakeholders.
  • Ability to manage multiple projects while maintaining high attention to detail.
  • Familiarity with Microsoft Office and collaborative tools like SharePoint and Confluence.

Responsibilities

  • Collaborate with technical staff to clarify content and audience needs for communication products.
  • Plan, write, and edit a range of technical documents and training materials.
  • Develop authorization basis documents for nuclear facility operations.
  • Create user and training documentation for security systems like Argus and PIDS.
  • Translate complex technical information for varied audiences.
  • Copyedit and proofread technical documentation for clarity and coherence.
  • Coordinate project activities, prioritizing effectively to meet deadlines.

Benefits

  • Hybrid work schedule options after a probationary period, offering flexibility.
  • Opportunities for professional development within the scientific and technical community.
  • Access to advanced tools and collaborative platforms for modern documentation needs.
Full Job Description
Job Description

The Technical Information Department (TID) has openings for Technical Writers/Editors who will be matrixed to organizations within the Operations & Business Directorate. Successful candidates may work with the Authorization Basis Group within the ES&H Departmentto produce highly specialized technical communication products for the Superblock facilities, or with the Security Organization to develop user documentation and training materials for security systems software and hardware. These roles involve writing, editing, and finalizing complex technical content and guiding documents through established review and release processes.

These positions may offer a hybrid schedule, which includes the flexibility to work from home one or more days per week, after a probationary period. The specifics of the hybrid schedule, including the exact number of days required in the office and virtual work options may vary based on the needs of the team and the organization.

This position will be filled at eitherlevel based on knowledge and related experience as assessed by the hiring team. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if hired at the higher level.

You will
  • Collaborate with scientific, technical, and program staff to organize and clarify content, determine audience needs, and develop appropriate communication products and styles.
  • Plan, write, edit, organize, and maintain technical and nontechnical documents, presentations, web-based content, and training materials.
  • Develop and edit specialized authorization basis documents and related technical communication products supporting nuclear facility operations, and/or Superblock facilities.
  • Create and maintain technical documentation and training content for the Argus, Portable Intrusion Detection System (PIDS), and Caerus security systems, including installation guides, user guides, web-based training, and hands-on training materials.
  • Translate complex technical information into clear, accurate, and accessible content for internal, customer, and sponsor audiences with varying technical backgrounds.
  • Copyedit, proofread, and provide editorial development for complex materials, including recommendations to improve logic, organization, coherence, terminology, formatting, and readability.
  • Create or modify document templates, formatting styles, graphics, infographics, and related multimedia content.
  • Work with subject matter experts, program managers, analysts, and reviewers to ensure usefulness and technical accuracy and guide products through established review, approval, release, production, and distribution processes.
  • Follow applicable style guides, document-management processes, communication standards, and information-security requirements.
  • Coordinate project activities and resources, prioritize workload with management and technical staff, and meet cost, schedule, and quality commitments in a deadline-driven environment.

In addition, at the G04.3 Level
  • Provide comprehensive writing and editing services for large, complex, or high-consequence documents and training products.
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for documentation and training products within assigned technical areas.
  • Coordinate all phases of complex document and training development from planning through review, release, production, and distribution.
  • Define communication strategies, audiences, messages, and key deliverables for complex and specialized projects.
  • Schedule and lead planning and status meetings, coordinate multiple contributors, and independently resolve competing priorities and stakeholder concerns.
  • Make strategic recommendations to improve technical communications, documentation processes, and training content.

Qualifications
  • Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. Department of Energy Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship.
  • Bachelor's degree in communications, English, journalism, engineering, a scientific or technical field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience in technical communications.
  • Experience in technical writing, editing, documentation development, training development, or a related technical communications discipline.
  • Experience editing technical or scientific content using professional writing and editing techniques, style conventions, and technical communication practices and standards.
  • Ability to quickly learn unfamiliar technical subjects and apply new knowledge to assigned work.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills and experience collaborating effectively with technical staff, managers, customers, and other stakeholders.
  • Ability to manage multiple assignments concurrently, adapt to changing priorities, and maintain careful attention to detail in a high-consequence environment.
  • Demonstrated customer service, interpersonal, teamwork, and independent-work skills, including discretion when handling classified, unclassified, sensitive, and confidential information.
  • Experience with Microsoft Office, particularly Word, PowerPoint, and Excel, and collaborative or document-management tools such as SharePoint, Confluence, or Teams.

In addition, at the G04.3 Level
  • Advanced writing and editing experience across a broad range of scientific or technical subject areas.
  • Experience leading complex technical communications, documentation, or training projects involving multiple contributors and stakeholders.
  • Experience independently resolving competing priorities, stakeholder concerns, and project issues to meet program objectives.
  • Demonstrated problem-solving and decision-making skills, including the ability to make strategic recommendations regarding project scope and communication approaches.
  • Ability to work under minimal direction with significant latitude in planning activities and achieving objectives.

Desired Qualifications
  • Advanced degree in communications, English, journalism, engineering, a scientific or technical field, or a related discipline.
  • Experience with software documentation, technical training, curriculum development, or web-based training.
  • Knowledge of authorization basis documentation, nuclear facility operations, or activities.
  • Knowledge of physical security systems, hardware, and software.
  • Experience with Argus, Portable Intrusion Detection System, Caerus, or comparable security systems.
  • Working knowledge of graphic design, photography, video-editing, or multimedia-development tools, such as Adobe Creative Cloud, Affinity Studio, or DaVinci Resolve.
  • Active DOE Q-level security clearance.
  • Understanding of LLNL's missions related to national security, the safety and reliability of the U.S. nuclear stockpile, and advanced scientific and technological programs.


Pay Range

$95,820 - $140,712 Annually

$95,820 - $117,312 Annually at the G04.2 level

$114,900 - $140,712 Annually at the G04.3 level

This is the lowest to highest salary range in good faith we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee's position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs.

Additional Information

#LI-Hybrid

Position Information

This is a Career Indefinite position, open to Lab employees and external candidates.

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