Production Editor

PotomacWave is looking for a Production Editor to join our team supporting a Federal client in Washington, DC. This position will serve as a subject matter expert working under the production manager as an authority on technical writing and analytic writing styles within the intelligence community (IN).

Responsibilities:

• Certifies superior editorial quality of finished intelligence products, and ensures complex technical language is easily understandable by senior leadership and the Intelligence Community.
• Serves as a subject matter expert on editing, the intelligence production cycle, and related DNI directives and plans, Executive Orders and regulations governing production w/ emphasis on DNI ICD 203, 206, 208 and 501.
• As IN’s production subject matter expert, establishes, updates and maintains IN-wide standards and procedures for editing and publication of finished intelligence.
• Establishes and maintains tools, guides, websites, forums etc. to communicate IN’s editing standards and procedures.
• Works with directors/deputy directors, analysts and FIEs to coordinate projects and processes relating to editing and production.
• Provides editorial training as needed and requested, in person and via VTC, for HQ and FIE analysts.
• Maintains the attention to detail, editorial style, and interpersonal skills to work with a variety of intelligence producers and managers, including interacting with and learning best practices from other agency intelligence production teams
• Translates occupation-specific terminology into text that is clear, concise, and straightforward. Updates and maintains a lexicon of approved scientific, common use words and terms for use in IN products.
• Edits technical reports on specialized equipment, devices and systems related to nuclear science, electronics, weaponry, engineering, or physical science.
• Supports the dissemination and archiving of IN analytic products across relevant Community and IN portals to ensure products are discoverable to broadest possible readership.
• Maintains and reports weekly progress on an integrated internal and external production schedule/timeline.
• Applies editorial principles of grammar and techniques of communicating information to ensure that:
  • (1) the style, expression, logical organization, development, readability, and manner of presentation suits the intended medium
  • (2) the subject matter is sufficiently clear and cogent to convey the appropriate message to the intended audience.
• In tandem with other members of the Production Group, explores and develops tools, databases, graphs etc. to enhance responses to IC/IN production data calls.
• Uses graphics systems and knowledge to enhance or suggest improvements to IN intelligence products.
• Works creatively to synchronize production efforts with other analytic sections and endeavors.

Qualifications:

• Ability to function as part of production unit, contributing expertise, cross-leveling efforts, and cross-training as needed to fully enhance group capabilities and services to IN.
• Mastery of Intelligence Community editorial and publishing techniques.
• Expert knowledge of the IC and the intelligence production cycle, related DNI directives and plans, tradecraft and sourcing standards, Executive Orders and regulations governing intelligence analytical production.
• Proven experience in writing and editing documents, and applying excellent grammar to provide quality products.
• Editing experience in one of DOE’s core topic sets: nuclear, science, technology, nonproliferation or other energy-related or technical subject.
• Familiarity with specialized equipment, devices and systems related to nuclear science, electronics, weaponry, engineering, or physical science
• Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communications skills with emphasis on supporting IC analysts and working as a member of a team.
• Ability to collaborate with directors/deputy directors, analysts and FIEs to streamline production and dissemination activities.
• Proven success in improving efficiency in intelligence review and production processes.
• Working knowledge of typography, layout, design theory and requirements to format publications, integrate text and graphics.
• Comprehensive computer literacy in various word processing and other types of software (SharePoint, MS Office applications, etc.) to process and produce a wide range of documents, including assessments, graphs, and charts, that shall enhance quality and content of reports and visual presentations.
• Ability to retrieve, compile, and interpret data (as pulled from spreadsheets, databases, graphics etc.) to assist in responding to Community data calls.
• Position requires a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college in journalism, English, communications or a related discipline, or equivalent experience/combined education, with 15 years of professional editing or production experience; or 5 years of professional experience with a related Master’s degree.
• The selection of an individual for this position may be conditioned upon his or her successful completion of a counterintelligence-scope polygraph examination.
• Must have an active TS clearance

Equal Opportunity Employer/Race/Sex/Religion/Disability/Veteran Status/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Age.