Technical Editor (Communications Consultant 2)

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Technical Editor (Communications Consultant 2) within the Nuclear Waste Program.

This is a temporary position that is expected to end after one year. This position has the potential to be converted to a permanent position depending on funding.

Location: 

• Richland Field Office in Richland, WA. 
• Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.

Schedule: 

• This position is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options.
• You may telework most of your work time with occasional in-person meetings and activities.
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline: 

• Apply by February 13, 2025
• This position will remain open until filled. The agency reserves the right to make a hire at any time after application review begins. Applications received after February 13, 2025 may not be considered.

Join our team as a technical editor, providing professional-level editing and formatting support for the Hanford Dangerous Waste Permit and related documents. You will work directly with the permits that regulate Washington’s nuclear waste, including the singularly unique Hanford Site. 

Hanford and Perma-Fix Northwest will be undergoing permit renewals in 2025 and 2026, presenting both challenges and valuable insights. In this role, you will have the opportunity to review a wide variety of materials, including compliance inspection reports, air permits, and state waste discharge permits. You will play a key role in our permit production process, become familiar with a wide range of state and federal regulations, and develop valuable, transferable skills in Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe.  

What you will do:

• Conduct detailed review of permits by following internal style guides.
• Communicate effectively and promptly with a wide variety of interested parties through both verbal and written communication.
• Follow internal processes and procedures.
• Collaborate effectively with the technical editor team. 
• Ensure digital accessibility compliance.

For detailed information on how we calculate experience, please visit our Recruitment website. 

Required Qualifications:

Five (5) years of experience and/or education as described below:

• Experience in journalism, public relations/information, news media, digital/social media, marketing, digital accessibility or writing/editing. 
• Education involving a major study in journalism, communications, public relations, news media, digital/social media, English, marketing, humanities, or closely allied field. 

Examples of how to qualify:

• 5 years of experience.
• 4 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.
• 3 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree).
• 2 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.
• 1 years of experience AND a Bachelor’s degree.
• No experience AND a Master’s degree.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• Must be able to obtain a Hanford Security badge in order to handle Official Use Only (OUO) documents.

Desired Qualifications:

• Professional level experience with Microsoft 365 and other related applications (Outlook, PowerPoint, Word, SharePoint Online, Teams, OneDrive). 

• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing with non-technical and technical staff. 

• Ability to work independently and have advanced technical formatting skills.

If you are excited about this role but not sure if your experience aligns perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply. Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At the Department of Ecology, we are dedicated to building a diverse and authentic workplace centered in belonging. You may just be the needed candidate for this or other roles.

Ecology does not use the E-Verify system; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov.

Our Commitment to DEIR

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Respect (DEIR) are core values central to Ecology's work. We strive to be a workplace where we are esteemed for sharing our authentic identities, while advancing our individual professional goals and collaborating to protect, preserve, and enhance the environment for current and future generations. 

Diversity: We celebrate and appreciate diversity; our unique perspectives and abilities enrich us all and lead to innovative approaches and solutions.

Equity: We champion equity, recognizing that each of us need different things to thrive.

Inclusion: We intentionally create and hold space so that we all have meaningful opportunities to participate and contribute to Ecology’s work.

Respect: We treat each other with respect and dignity, acknowledging the inherent worth of our diverse perspectives and lived experiences, even in times of uncertainty and disagreement.

We believe that DEIR is both a goal and an action. We are on a journey, honoring our shared humanity and taking steps to demonstrate our commitment to a vision where each of us is heard, seen, and valued. 

Application Process

Ecology seeks diverse applicants: We view diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect through a broad lens including race, ethnicity, class, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, immigration status, military background, language, education, life experience, physical disability, neurodiversity, and intersectional identities. Qualified job seekers from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

How to Apply

Click “Apply” at the top of this page. Complete the entire application, including full work history and responses to all supplemental questions, and attach:

• Cover letter, describing your interest in and qualifications for this position 
• Resume

Because we base our selection on the information you provide, it is in your best interest to complete the application thoroughly. A resume will not substitute for the “work experience” section of the application or vice versa. Applications with blank fields or supplemental question responses with comments such as “see resume” may be considered incomplete.

Application Attestation: By submitting an application, you are affirming that the information contained in your application and on all attachments is complete and truthful. The state may verify this information, and any false or misleading answers may result in rejection of your application or dismissal if employed.

Need an Accommodation?

If you need reasonable accommodation during the application and/or screening process, including this job announcement in an alternate format:

• Please contact us at 360-407-6186 or careers@ecy.wa.gov 
• If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 711 or 1-800-833-6384.

Questions?

• For specific questions about the position location options, schedule, or duties, please contact Christy Caldwell at Christy.Caldwell@ecy.wa.gov 
• If you need assistance applying for this job, are inquiring about the status of your application, would like to request the full position description, or have any other questions, please contact the Recruitment Team at careers@ecy.wa.gov 

About the Nuclear Waste Program

The Nuclear Waste Program's (NWP) mission is to lead the effective and efficient cleanup of the U.S. Department of Energy's Hanford Site; to ensure sound management of mixed hazardous wastes in Washington; and to protect the state's air, water, and land at and adjacent to the Hanford Site. This position is NWP's Technology and Operations Section.

About the Department of Ecology

As the State of Washington’s environmental protection agency, we are deeply committed to protecting, preserving, and enhancing Washington’s environment for current and future generations. Joining Ecology means becoming part of a team dedicated to protecting and sustaining healthy land, air, water, and climate in harmony with a strong economy. A career in public service at Ecology allows you to help solve some of the most challenging problems facing our state, while keeping your health and financial security a priority. We combine one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation with a strong commitment to life/work balance. We invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages creative leadership, effective resource management, teamwork, professionalism, and accountability.

Ecology employees may be eligible for the following: Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), Vacation, Sick, and other Leave*, 11 Paid Holidays per year*, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver,  Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP),  Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), Employee Assistance Program, Commute Trip Reduction Incentives (Download PDF reader), Combined Fund Drive, SmartHealth *Click here for more information 

To learn more about Ecology, please visit our website, explore Working at Ecology, check out our Strategic Plan, and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or our blog. 

Equal Opportunity Employer: The Washington State Department of Ecology is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans, military spouses or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.

Collective Bargaining: This is a position covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative.   

Note: This recruitment may be used to fill other positions of the same job classification across the agency. Once all the position(s) from the recruitment announcement are filled, the recruitment may only be used to fill additional open positions for the next sixty (60) days.

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Salary : $49,116 - $66,012