Writer-Editor

Summary

This position is located in the Executive Secretariat Staff, Office of the Director, Indian Health Service. Reports to IHS Headquarters. The official duty station could be at Bemidji, MN; Billings, MT, Dallas, TX, Oklahoma City, OK, Rapid City, SD, or Rockville, MD. A REAL ID will be required beginning May 7, 2025, in accordance with 6 C.F.R. 37.5 (2021).

Duties

• Ensures the production of well-written, understandable documents that conform to established grammatical, stylistic, and syntactical standards/rules, as well as adhering to HHS, Public Health Service, and IHS policy requirements, and that the content of the documents thoroughly and logically addresses all issues and questions. Composes original correspondence for the signature of the IHS Director, the Secretary, executive staff in the immediate Office of the Director, and others by special request from diverse sources on a wide range of subjects pertaining to IHS programs, policies, and activities intended for a wide range of audiences, some of which may be indifferent or hostile. Writes and/or edits correspondence prepared for the signature of the IHS Director, the Secretary, executive staff in the immediate Office of the Director, and others by special request, for clarity of expression and uniformity of policy statements. Translates and interprets information from programmatic scientific/technical language to a level that would be most applicable to the various audiences addressed. Provides consultation, technical assistance, and training for IHS professional and support staff on the proper format and principles of editing, reviewing, and writing documents for the signatures of upper management IHS officials, the Deputy Secretary, HHS, and the Secretary, HHS. Resolves conflicts among originators and reviewers and contributes substantively to decisions on what information to present and how to present it. Has command of, and remains up-to-date on relevant Federal Government standards of executive correspondence documentation, writing guidelines, editing, and reviewing processes for an Executive Secretariat function. Ensures consistency of messages and that leadership is representing the IHS and programs accurately; reviews message content for senior leaders to use for strategic communications.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, your resume must state sufficient experience and/or education - to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are applying. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer and part-time experience. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: GS-12 Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level. Examples of specialized experience include: Experience performing writing and editing assignments involving the research, analysis, and presentation of information for a variety of audiences; drafting and editing correspondence, reports, briefing materials, policy-related documents, or similar written products for clarity, accuracy, grammar, style, and consistency; interpreting technical or programmatic information and translating it into clear language appropriate for the intended audience; and applying established writing, editing, publishing, and correspondence guidelines to produce completed written products within established deadlines. GS-13 Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level. Examples of specialized experience include: Experience performing complex writing and editing assignments; researching, analyzing, interpreting, and distilling technical, programmatic, or policy information into clear and accurate written products for senior-level officials and diverse audiences; reviewing and editing executive correspondence, policy statements, briefing or decision documents for clarity, consistency, accuracy, and compliance with established writing and correspondence standards; and providing technical guidance or consultation to staff on writing, editing, document preparation, and executive correspondence processes. This position has promotion potential to the GS-GS-13 grade level. Promotion to the next grade level is at management's discretion and is based on your demonstrated ability to perform the higher level duties, the continuing need for the higher level duties, and "Regulatory/Administrative" approval. Promotion to the next higher grade level is not guaranteed and no promise of promotion is implied. Time In Grade Federal employees in the competitive service are also subject to the Time-In-Grade Requirements: Merit Promotion (status) candidates must have completed one year of service at the next lower grade level. Time-In-Grade provisions do not apply under the Excepted Service Examining Plan (ESEP). You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.

Education

There are no education requirements.