Technical Editor

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS: A cover letter is required as part of the application process. Applications received without the requested information will be considered incomplete.
SWCA Environmental Consultants is an employee-owned company of environmental professionals who specialize in natural and cultural resource management, environmental planning, and regulatory compliance.

We are seeking a technical editor with desktop publishing experience to support our offices in Bismarck, North Dakota, and Sheridan, Wyoming. Based out of the Bismarck office, the candidate will be responsible for editing and formatting archaeological reports, biological reports, proposals, and other technical documents. These reports and documents range in length and complexity from simple memoranda to multichapter, multivolume documents. Most are printed in-house or published as electronic documents. This is a full-time, hourly position and pay will be based on individual qualifications and experience.

We offer an informal, team-oriented work environment, competitive wages, and a competitive benefits package, including an employee stock ownership plan (retirement).

Job Duties and Responsibilities:
• Edit and format large and small reports (which usually contain text, tables, maps and other graphics, and appendices) for content, organization, clarity, consistency, grammar, and conformity with SWCA’s or the client’s style guides;
• Document formatting and layout primarily in Microsoft Word 2007 and occasionally InDesign;
• Work closely with project managers and business development team in coordinating, preparing, and compiling proposals;
• Demonstrate a thorough knowledge and understanding of SWCA’s in-house templates, style guide, formatting procedures, and quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) processes;
• Maintain flexibility to adjust to alternative requirements of specific clients;
• Combine and manipulate PDFs in Adobe Acrobat (e.g., create PDFs, merge PDFs, insert and delete PDF pages). Add bookmarks and hyperlinks for navigability;
• Project archiving, production, library organization & other general administrative tasks;
• Take initiative, resolve problems, and create improved procedures to ensure tasks are completed in the most effective manner;
• Assist staff with formatting glitches or problems with MS Word and other programs, and trouble-shoot problems with in-house printing machines;
• Communicate effectively with project managers; and,
• Prioritize and complete tasks within deadlines.

Required Skills
• Excellent organizational, oral, written, and analytical skills; and superior command of grammar and composition required.
• Ability to format and layout documents primarily in Microsoft Word 2007 (e.g., manage templates, manipulate headers and footers, work with section breaks and page breaks, format/redesign tables, apply styles from templates, create linked tables of contents).
• Exceptional attention to detail in a sometimes fast-paced environment.
• Ability to multitask and remain flexible.
• Ability to work independently as well as cooperatively with editors, formatters, authors, and project managers while maintaining a communication style that is personable, tactful, proactive, and confident.
• A sense of responsibility and ownership for quality and follow through.
• Willingness to learn, have fun, and grow into increased responsibilities.

Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Communications, English, Technical Writing, or related field.
• Minimum of 2 years of comparable experience.
• Technical background knowledge in environmental consulting, architecture/engineering, or a related professional services area is highly desirable.
• Exceptional skills in MS Word 2007 or later, and familiarity with Adobe Acrobat, MS Excel, and MS PowerPoint.
• Experience with documents requiring Section 508 compliance is a plus.
• Proven organizational and problem-solving skills as well as attention to detail required.
• Candidates for final consideration will be required to complete an editing and basic formatting test using MS Word.
Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, SWCA has offices throughout the West, Pacific Northwest, and the Pacific Islands. Since its founding in 1981, SWCA has achieved a national reputation for providing its clients with professional integrity as well as creative solutions based on sound science. SWCA ranks among Engineering News-Record’s Top 200 Environmental Firms.

In support of our value of integrity, SWCA promotes a safe and drug free workplace. We participate in e-verify and pre-employment background screening services. SWCA is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and covered veterans to apply.