Senior Editor/Writer, Education Development Center (EDC), Waltham MA
Posted October 25, 2013
EDC is one of the world’s leading nonprofit research and development firms. Established in 1958, EDC designs, delivers and evaluates innovative programs to address some of the world’s most urgent challenges in education, health, and economic opportunity. Our services include research, training, educational materials, and strategy, with activities ranging from seed projects to large-scale national and international initiatives.
EDC is committed to diversity in the workplace.
The Suicide Prevention Resource Center in the Health and Human Development Division has an opening for a Senior Writer/ Editor/ Researcher, Information Services Team, reporting to the Information Services Team manager, in Waltham.
The Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) is funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to promote a public health approach to suicide prevention. SPRC is hiring a senior writer/editor/researcher on its Information Services Team. The writer/editor/researcher will be responsible for identifying and writing summaries of research, developments in the suicide prevention field, and news stories for SPRC’s weekly e-newsletter; coordinating social media postings; creating content for the SPRC website; and conducting research in response to information requests from staff and SPRC’s external audience; and working with other team members to build and maintain the online library. The writer/editor/researcher should be familiar with sources of public health information, data and statistics. Other skills include monitoring and synthesizing new research in public health and behavioral health; website content management; and product development and marketing.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The person in this position is expected to communicate clearly and courteously; to develop and maintain positive relationships with clients, consultants, collaborators, co-workers, field sites, and funders; and to work respectfully with EDC colleagues. The job requires adherence to EDC policies & procedures.
The Senior Editor/Writer is responsible for leading the development and execution of a variety of complex writing and editorial projects for internal &/or external audiences; s/he
• Independently works on problems or assignments of large scope, complexity or impact, requiring review of various intangible factors; works on projects where analysis of data requires in-depth evaluation of various factors
• Guides development of publications through multiple revisions to achieve content objectives
• Exercises judgment within generally defined practices in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining results
• Independently determines methods and procedures on new assignments
• Applies style & editorial rules and expertly uses electronic editing tools
• Receives text from center staff; writes and copy-edits documents in a clear and concise style, developmentally coordinating changes to the entire manuscript from initial submission through final publication
• Drafts manuscripts, edits and corrects final drafts for typesetting; authenticates and corrects data
• Discusses copy with supervisor or managing editor for approval and to incorporate changes
• Implements recordkeeping procedures; updates and maintains documentation
• Implements policies & procedures related to service agreements and contractual obligations
•Ensures the accuracy, usefulness and timeliness of SPRC’s enewsletter and makes effective use of social media, including Facebook, Twitter, and blogging.
• Creates content for the SPRC website that is clear, engaging, up to date, and relevant to the audience.
• Coordinates and assists team members in monitoring, synthesizing, archiving, and disseminating new research and information from government agencies, national organizations, and other sources.
•Provides literature reviews and responses to queries from SPRC staff and professionals in the field.
Collaborates with other team members to identify, catalogue and add items to the online library.
Specific duties of SPRC’s Information Services writer/editor/ researcher:
•Ensures the accuracy, usefulness and timeliness of SPRC’s enewsletter and makes effective use of social media, including Facebook, Twitter, and blogging.
• Creates content for the SPRC website that is clear, engaging, up to date, and relevant to the audience.
• Coordinates and assists team members in monitoring, synthesizing, archiving, and disseminating new research and information from government agencies, national organizations, and other sources.
•Provides literature reviews and responses to queries from SPRC staff and professionals in the field.
Collaborates with other team members to identify, catalogue and add items to the online library.
The Senior Editor/Writer
• Advises center staff of editorial recommendations
• Acts as developmental editor &/or production editor, coordinating publication from initiation to completion
• Confers with center or project staff to establish technical specifications, determine specific or general subject material to be developed for publication, or to resolve development or publishing problems
• Troubleshoots problems
• Collaborates with senior staff/management on complex questions; exercises tact and discretion in raising and resolving issues
• Keeps management informed of status of issues and projects
• Interviews individuals or attends meetings to obtain items or clarify information for inclusion and verify facts; researches or seeks technical advice and refers complex problems to senior staff/management
• Provides technical guidance and may supervise regular or contract staff; may train or coach less experienced staff
• Facilitates teamwork; engages collaboratively in feedback
QUALIFICATIONS
This position requires educational achievement; excellent writing skills; demonstrable initiative, creativity, and flexibility; ability to work independently and effectively in groups; and strong interpersonal & organizational skills. Specific requirements:
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of training & experience
• 5-7 years related writing, editing, desktop publishing, and project/supervisory experience
• Background in program/project area(s) desirable
Specific qualifications for the SPRC Information Services writer/editor/researcher
• Customer service orientation and ability to be responsive and helpful to SPRC’s staff and audience
• Experience creating website content and using social media Experience with technology, including public health and/or behavioral health databases and online research tools
• Experience writing, editing, and marketing educational/informational materials for a variety of public health/ behavioral health audiences
• Background in mental health, public health and/ or suicide prevention
• Degree in library science an advantage