Senior Science Technical Writer/ Editor

Do you have strong writing and editing skills? Do you work well with a team, pay close attention to detail, and are you able to write with technical accuracy?

Ripple Effect is looking for an Editor/Writer to work with the Communications and Outreach Team, supporting a variety of projects across the organization. This position will have a focus on technical writing, editing, copyediting, and formatting for science and health communications, communications strategies, and proposals. The applicant must also be willing to learn new topic areas through research in order to write compelling content.

If this position sounds of interest, there’s a place for you here at Ripple Effect! We are a diverse, progressive, and engaging work environment. We offer a multitude of incentives and flexible work options that work for you and your lifestyle.

General Information 

• Job Code: CAT-WE-03
• Location: Ripple Effect Headquarters – Rockville, MD 
• Employee Type: On-Call/ Part-time Ad-hoc
  (Ask our recruiters about flexible work arrangements) 
• Telework: Partial or Full-Time
• Clearance: None
• Number of Openings: 1
• Salary Range: $33.47 - $38.49 per hour (how we pay and promote) 

Responsibilities 

• Conducting accurate research
• Writing articles, newsletters or other periodicals for the organization
• Providing research, writing, and copy-editing services
• Assisting in the production of client-ready communications documents and publications
• Drafting articles, press releases, and publications, with guidance from your supervisor
• Proposing ideas for new content for our clients that align with the organization's priority areas and mission
• Editing materials with technical accuracy, grammar, punctuation, internal consistency, and other metrics as defined on a project basis
• Formatting documents in MS Word styles
• Simplifying complex materials for effective presentation to a target audience and translating complex scientific jargon to technically accurate plain language
• Utilizing best practices for writing /editing such as: maintaining continuity of style, voices, and complies with style guides
• Performing other duties as associated with the core functions of the role

Requirements

Minimum Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree
• 2 years technical and/or science writing and copy-editing experience
• 4 years of experience in writing and content development

Basic Requirements

• Experience in making MS Suite products 508 compliant
• Ability to translate complex content and concepts in plain language through writing and editing
• Ability to work with virtual teams (use of intranet and instant messenger to communicate)
• Ability to conduct research to draft accurate and appropriate audience-specific content
• Ability to edit materials as directed to meet client needs and in compliance with style guides
• Excellent grammatical/punctuation skills
• Advanced knowledge of MS Word and Power Point
• Ability to work productively and collaboratively in SharePoint or Teams to accomplish tasks

To be successful at Ripple Effect, you must be able to pay attention to details, clearly communicate, work independently, and have an eagerness to learn. Learn more about what it takes to become a Rippler here.

Skills That Set You Apart

• Proficiency in 508 compliance in Adobe PDF
• Additional certifications in writing or editing
• Experience in internal communications and communications research
• Ability to write executive communications such as talking points for senior leadership
• Experience in crisis communications
• Experience with federal government contracting, especially NIH, CMS, ED, and/or DOE
• Strong working knowledge of references such as the GPO, AMA, and Chicago style manuals
• Critical thinking with the ability to connect-the-dots across a project

If you don’t have all of the skills above, don’t be discouraged—no resume paints a complete picture of a person. There’s a good chance you’re more wonderful than you think, so please apply!

About Ripple Effect

Ripple Effect is an award-winning women-owned small business providing professional consulting and exceptional talent for federal, private, and non-profit clients. We deliver multi-disciplinary solutions across communications & outreach, research & evaluation, policy & program management, digital transformation, and strategic staffing solutions with a focus on science, research, and healthcare domains.

Hiring Process | Life at Ripple |COVID Response | DEI

Benefits

Ripple Effect rewards our employees for their contributions to our mission in many ways, from competitive pay and exceptional benefits to a range of work/life programs based on your employment classification and personalized preferences. 

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Ripple Effect is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, political affiliation, or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation during the hiring process, please let us know by contacting our HR department at HR@rippleeffect.com or your recruiter. Eligibility for employment will be verified using E-verify.