Technical Editor 2 (Communications Specialist 2)

About the Role

Join our world-class writing and editing team at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). We are looking for an exceptional technical editor to join our Technical Editing and Communications (TEC) group, which provides multidisciplinary, full-service communications support to organizations and programs across LANL. In this role, you will work as a communications specialist with a heavy emphasis on technical writing and editing to ensure quality standards across all documentation. You will be embedded with the Environmental Protection & Compliance Division (EPC-DO), providing communications counsel and dedicated services to its leaders, managers, and staff.

What You Will Do

• Work with talented team members and technical experts to transform complex technical content into clear, accessible narratives and craft or distill precise content for diverse audiences.
• Perform mechanical and substantive edits to ensure technical accuracy while maintaining readability, collaborating with senior colleagues to produce quality communications products.
• Support operations, programs, and projects as we successfully navigate numerous state and federal permits from multiple regulators.
• Edit major publicly available annual environmental reports; student-written publications; policies and procedures for environmental stewardship, waste management, and environmental compliance programs; management plans for biological and cultural resources; presentations; and more.

Requirements

• Thorough knowledge of English grammar and punctuation, and extensive experience in technical editing and writing, able to translate complex concepts and material into clear, concise writing.
• Advanced proficiency using Microsoft Word, with a solid understanding of Word styles and templates.
• Intermediate to advanced skills in Adobe Acrobat, Excel, and PowerPoint, including PowerPoint-specific formatting.
• Solid understanding of file structure and organization.
• Demonstrated expertise in providing guidance on technical writing skills to staff including template development and user training, including identifying and supporting process and tool improvement efforts.
• Excellent written and oral communication and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated experience with problem solving and customer service and the ability to remain courteous and professional under pressure.
• Experience working with technical subject matter experts.
• Demonstrated experience with customer service in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
• Ability to maintain professional and courteous interactions with team members, technical personnel both inside and outside the assigned organization, undergraduate and graduate student employees, and a wide range of managers to ensure priorities are understood, issues are identified and resolved, and deliverables are met.
• Ability for process or performance improvement based on customer and manager feedback.
• Experience with document control/management systems.
• Baseline understanding of generative AI tools, prompt engineering, evaluating AI-generated content for accuracy and quality, and applying AI responsibly within organizational policies.
• Bachelor's degree in English, journalism, communications, or a physical, life, or social science and a minimum of five years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Qualifications

• Experience working in an environmental field such as biological or cultural resources, water quality, air quality, waste management, or environmental compliance.
• Experience developing environmental documentation, translating complex environmental or technical information into clear and accessible content, and communicating environmental issues to diverse audiences.
• The ability to obtain a Q clearance is a requirement; an active Q clearance is preferred.
• Applicants will be asked to perform editing and formatting tests.
• The successful candidate will be extremely detail-oriented with initiative and the ability to quickly adapt to an intense and highly technical environment.

Work Location

The work location for this position is hybrid and is located in Los Alamos. Hybrid is defined as working partially onsite/partially offsite but within 2 hours ground commute of this location. All work locations are at the discretion of management and can change at any time with appropriate notice.

Schedule

Regular appointment employees are required to serve a period of continuous service in their current position in order to be eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the time required, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. The position commitment for this position is 1 year.

Benefits

• PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network
• Dental and vision insurance
• Free basic life and disability insurance
• Paid childbirth and parental leave
• Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)
• Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
• Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays)
• Onsite gyms and wellness programs
• Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius)