Technical Editing/Writing - Program Management

As a Technical Editor at GDIT, you will lead the editing, creation, review, and update of technical documents for the U.S. Army Network Enterprise Technology Command. Your primary responsibilities include supervising a team of document authors, ensuring documents comply with the Army Writing Style, and maintaining document repositories. You will also oversee the accuracy of grammar, formatting, and references throughout all technical documentation.

GDIT requires candidates for the Technical Editor position to have a Bachelor of Arts or Science degree and at least four years of related experience. Additionally, candidates must possess strong communication and technical writing skills and hold a secret security clearance. Familiarity with Microsoft Office software and Adobe Acrobat is also preferred.

To succeed as a Technical Editor at GDIT, you’ll need strong communication skills, proficient English grammar knowledge, and exceptional proofreading abilities. Additionally, expertise in technical editing and writing, problem-solving capability, and database maintenance skills are beneficial. Experience with Microsoft Office and organization and timeline management will enhance your ability to perform effectively in this role.

At GDIT, the work environment encourages collaboration and professional growth. You'll be part of a team that values innovation and impacts missions daily. The company offers a balanced work-life structure with flexible work weeks, plenty of paid time off, and a culture that fosters personal and career development.

GDIT is committed to helping employees grow in their careers through a range of professional development opportunities. This includes access to educational resources, certifications, training programs, and an internal mobility team dedicated to assisting staff in their career advancement endeavors.

When asked about your editing process, make sure to explain your systematic approach. Discuss how you begin by thoroughly reviewing the document to understand the content and purpose, followed by checking for grammatical accuracy, formatting compliance, and ensuring alignment with any specific guidelines such as the Army Writing Style. Emphasize your ability to provide constructive feedback to authors, and detail how you manage revisions effectively.

Addressing tight deadlines starts with effective time management. Discuss your strategies, such as prioritizing tasks, leveraging checklists for quality assurance, and using tools to streamline the editing process. Providing examples of past experiences where you successfully met deadlines without compromising quality will showcase your capability.

To guarantee accuracy, I utilize multiple techniques such as thorough proofreading, cross-referencing with original sources for technical data, and employing document-checking software if available. Discuss your experience in maintaining a checklist for common errors and formatting standards which guarantee that all documents meet the necessary compliance and accuracy requirements.

Supervising a team begins with open communication and clearly defined expectations. I would facilitate regular team meetings to provide guidance, review progress, and share best practices in editing. Emphasize your approach to mentorship and how you encourage collaboration among team members to enhance their skills and produce high-quality documents.

Be prepared to share specific challenges, such as discrepancies in technical data or a late submission from a co-author. Discuss how you tackled such issues by implementing effective communication solutions, adjusting timelines, or deploying additional resources to ensure project completion without sacrificing quality.

Staying updated in the field involves active engagement with professional communities such as industry journals, webinars, and technical writing groups. I am also a firm believer in ongoing education, attending workshops and certification courses to enhance my skills. Such initiatives empower me to adopt new best practices and tools in my editing work.

Share an instance where you identified recurring errors in the documents and implemented a standardized checklist or mentoring system for authors. Focus on the measurable impact of your intervention, such as reduced error rates and increased consistency across documents.

Discuss your proficiency with software tools like Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Acrobat, and any specific editing tools you have utilized. Highlight your experience with their functionalities that aid in streamlining the proofreading process and enhancing document quality.

Emphasize that clear communication aligns all stakeholders, reduces misunderstandings, and enhances collaboration, all critical for producing quality documents. When team members accurately convey their messages, it results in a cohesive final product that effectively serves its intended purpose.

Talk about your intrinsic motivation for ensuring accuracy and clarity in technical documentation, as well as the satisfaction derived from supporting actors within a critical organization like the U.S. Army. Discuss how your passion for continuous learning propels you to excel in your work.