Writer-Editor

$82,764 - $107,590/Yr

United States Congress - Washington, DC

Part-time,Full-time - Mid Level

Onsite - Washington, DC

Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support

About the position

This position is located in the general Publishing Office of the Center for Exhibits and Interpretation in the Office of the Librarian. It is a non-supervisory, bargaining unit position with a salary range reflecting locality pay adjustments for the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area. The incumbent will work a flextime work schedule, allowing for flexibility in hours. The position is permanent and full-time, with a promotion potential to GS-12. The role involves managing various publishing projects with creativity, innovation, and accuracy while maintaining high standards of integrity in scholarship and editorial practice. The incumbent will navigate and negotiate the editorial and publication process with authors, Library staff, and co-publishers, guiding authors in selecting appropriate illustrations and ensuring timely completion of projects. The position also requires conducting research, writing text for book-length works, and evaluating proposed projects for suitability for Library publication. The incumbent will actively participate in planning sessions for new publications and contribute content to non-book projects as necessary.

Responsibilities

• Manage all projects with creativity, innovation, and accuracy while maintaining high levels of integrity in scholarship and editorial practice.
• Navigate and negotiate the editorial and publication process with authors, Library staff, and co-publishers.
• Guide authors in identifying and selecting appropriate illustrations, obtaining high-resolution scans, and clearing reproduction rights.
• Develop and track editorial and production schedules to ensure timely completion of projects.
• Prepare manuscripts, art, and other necessary elements for transmittal to co-publishers.
• Identify the need for freelance assistance with copy editing, proofreading, index preparation, image research, peer review, etc.
• Review and mark up proofs at various stages of publication, along with promotional copy and design concepts, coordinating appropriate approvals.
• Maintain clean print and digital files at all stages and create record copies upon completion of each project.
• Participate in planning sessions for new publications to be developed in concert with major public-facing initiatives such as exhibitions.
• Attend Library events to identify potential topics and solicit proposals from Library staff.
• Consult with Lead Writer-Editor and senior Writer-Editors to develop concepts for new works to highlight Library collections.
• Review and refine concepts proposed by potential authors.
• Evaluate proposed projects and assess their suitability for Library publication.
• Conduct research and write text for book-length works, including main narratives, prefaces, introductions, acknowledgments, captions, credits, bibliographies, indices, and other back matter.
• Draft foreword on behalf of the Librarian of Congress and others and route it through the appropriate approval process.
• Perform image research to identify appropriate illustrative material in Library collections.
• Check factual information to ensure authentic detail and methodically record sources.
• Validate the integrity of the manuscript by soliciting reviews and critiques from internal and external subject matter experts.
• Contribute content to non-book projects when necessary.
• Evaluate and edit proposals, manuscripts, and proofs; engage in developmental editing with authors and fellow staff editors to improve concepts, proposals, and manuscripts.
• Reorganize whole or partial manuscripts by restructuring, refining, or rewriting sentences, paragraphs, and/or sections in consultation with authors and fellow editors.
• Edit texts to correct errors of spelling, grammar, punctuation, fact, or style and/or to improve clarity of expression.
• Develop prospective publication plans by identifying potential audience, specifying potential binding, trim size, and price, and identifying competing titles.
• Identify potential co-publishers by noting similar titles in their lists of publications and researching appropriate editorial contacts.
• Create and disseminate illustrated proposals to potential co-publishers with instructions for submitting offers.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Progressively responsible experience and training sufficient in scope and quality to perform the duties of the position without more than normal supervision.
• Knowledge of publishing and design techniques for publications, posters, brochures, and other printed material.
• Knowledge of reference sources and research techniques.
• Ability to write and edit written materials for a variety of audiences.
• Ability to interact collaboratively with others regarding writing, editing, and publishing projects.
• Ability to plan and manage projects.
• Ability to use information technology to perform writing duties.
• Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package as a federal employee, including access to a range of benefits designed to make federal careers rewarding.
• Potential for student loan repayment for federally insured loans, subject to approval by the appropriate service unit.