Technical Writer – HigherEdJobs

Job ID: 308992

Department

THE O’NEILL SCHOOL – IUPUI SP (IN-SPEA-IUINA)

Department Information

The Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs at IU Indianapolis prepares students to address the issues of modern society in ways that more traditional schools overlook. Founded in 1972, the O’Neill School was the first school to combine public management, policy, and administration with the environmental sciences. It remains the largest public affairs and environmental studies school of its kind in the United States, with programs on both the Indianapolis and Bloomington campuses. The O’Neill School faculty and staff are committed to collaboration, professionalism and ongoing innovation in programs and research.

The IU Public Policy Institute (PPI) was created in 1992 as a multidisciplinary institute within the Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs. The Public Policy Institute delivers unbiased research and data-driven, objective, expert analysis, through different Centers, to help public, private, and nonprofit sectors make important decisions that directly impact the quality of life in Indiana and throughout the nation. Whether it’s analyzing the financial needs for water and wastewater infrastructure in Indiana, or evaluating the effectiveness of public safety, schools, public health, and other agencies in providing services in a racially equitable manner, the Public Policy Institute provides the knowledge, data, and analysis that organizations need to make sound decisions without political agenda or ideological bias.

Job Summary

The Technical Writer will perform activities to support the IU Public Policy Institute (PPI) and its research centers. This individual will play a pivotal role in translating complex academic and applied research, translational research, and analyses into clear, concise, and accessible language for a diverse audience, including the general public and policy makers, as well as effective narrative for grant applications, as needed.

Department-Specific Responsibilities

• Translates academic and applied research reports and analyses into easily understandable content for diverse audiences.
• Collaborates with researchers to ensure accurate representation of scientific concepts and data analysis.
• Develops compelling grant proposals that effectively communicate project objectives, methodologies, and potential impact; oversees multiple projects concurrently, ensuring deadlines and milestones are met.
• Coordinates with various stakeholders to gather information and insights necessary for effective content creation.
• Manages copy edits PPI project reports and related deliverables to produce high-quality written materials, including reports, articles, and summaries, that adhere to AP and IU style guidelines.
• Collaborates and consults with various university departments, researchers, and external stakeholders to ensure alignment of communication efforts with overall organizational objectives..

General Responsibilities

• Works with key stakeholders to determine needs, reviews proposal requirements, organizes and creates assignments, and ensures adherence to deadlines; writes and prepares various technical documents such as research/grant proposals and applications for submission to funding and regulatory agencies including writing and/or editing ideas, abstracts, protocols and consents, study reports and appendices, or other regulatory documents; contributes to overall project management and cross-functional working groups to facilitate development and finalization of assigned documents; ensures quality and consistency among formatting and style; collects information on reported problems regarding consistency and/or clarity in proposals and manuscripts; amends proposals as needed/required; maintains version control for all documents.
• Contributes to and participates in meetings with the various research groups within the department; communicates with writing project stakeholders; ensures coordination of communication between stakeholders and supports overall collaboration among stakeholders.
• Prioritizes writing projects and provides a tracking mechanism on requests and includes estimated timelines, projects in progress, estimated completion dates, and duration of projects; follows standard procedures and processes for the optimal workflow of requests. and projects.
• Develops print and/or online publications or public presentations of results from research by applying critical thinking to acquired scientific and medical knowledge.
• Provides expertise on regulatory requirements and ensures assigned documents are produced in accordance with such guidance and relevant internal metrics; provides suggestions for process improvements and may provide guidance/oversight to hourly employees.

Qualifications

Combinations of related education and experience may be considered. Education beyond the minimum required may be substituted for work experience. Work experience beyond the minimum required may be substituted for education.

EDUCATION

Required

• Bachelor’s degree preferably in English or related field.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Required

• 2 years preferably in English or related field.

Preferred

• Experience translating for general publication academic and applied research conducted in a higher-education setting.
• Experience interviewing academic and scientific researchers for story development.

SKILLS

Required

• Proficient communication skills
• Maintains a high degree of professionalism
• Demonstrated time management and priority setting skills
• Demonstrates a high commitment to quality
• Possesses flexibility to work in a fast paced, dynamic environment
• Seeks to acquire knowledge in area of specialty
• Highly thorough and dependable
• Demonstrates a high level of accuracy, even under pressure

Preferred

• Ability to seamlessly blend research expertise with effective written communication skills.
• Possesses strong writing and copy-editing capabilities.
• Excellent project management skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to maintaining a high standard of adherence to AP and IU style guides.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of diverse research designs and methods.

Working Conditions / Demands

This role requires the ability to effectively communicate and to operate a computer and other standard office productivity equipment. The position involves sedentary work as well as periods of time moving around an office environment and the campus. The person in this role must be able to perform the essential functions with or without an accommodation.

Work Location

Indianapolis, Indiana

This position is eligible to work a hybrid schedule (mix between remote and in-person work), subject to change in the future based on university policy and business needs.

Benefits Overview

For full-time staff employees, Indiana University offers a wide array of benefits including:

• Multiple plan options for medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Health Savings Account with generous IU contribution
• Life insurance, LTD, and AD&D options
• Base retirement plan contribution from IU, subject to vesting
• Additional supplemental retirement plan options
• Tuition benefit for IU classes
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Generous Paid Time Off
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Learn more about our benefits by reviewing our online Benefits Brochure.

Job Classification

Career Level: Career

FLSA: Exempt

Job Function: Research

Job Family: Technical Writing

Click here to learn more about Indiana University’s Job Framework.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Indiana University is an equal employment and affirmative action employer and a provider of ADA services. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment based on individual qualifications. Indiana University prohibits discrimination based on age, ethnicity, color, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, disability status or protected veteran status. Indiana University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its educational programs and activities, including employment and admission, as required by Title IX. Questions or complaints regarding Title IX may be referred to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights or the university Title IX Coordinator. See Indiana University’s Notice of Non-Discrimination here which includes contact information.

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Telephone: 812-856-1234