Position Classification Flysheet for Technical Writing and Editing Series, GS-1083

Technical Writing and Editing Series, GS-1083 TS-115 May 1992

Position Classification Flysheet for Technical Writing and

Editing Series, GS-1083

Table of Contents

SERIES DEFINITION....................................................................................................................................2

EXCLUSIONS...............................................................................................................................................2

OCCUPATIONAL INFORMATION...............................................................................................................2

TITLES..........................................................................................................................................................4

EVALUATING POSITIONS ..........................................................................................................................4

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Technical Writing and Editing Series, GS-1083 TS-115 May 1992

SERIES DEFINITION

This series includes positions that involve writing or editing technical materials, such as reports

of research findings; scientific or technical articles, news releases, and periodicals; regulations in

technical areas; technical manuals, specifications, brochures, and pamphlets; or speeches or

scripts on scientific or technical subjects. Technical writers and technical editors draw on a

substantial knowledge of a particular subject-matter area, such as the natural or social sciences,

engineering, law, or other fields. The work involves the development of information and

analysis to select and present information on the specialized subject in a form and at a level

suitable for the intended audience.

This series coverage standard supersedes the standard for this series issued in April 1960.

EXCLUSIONS

1. Classify positions that involve writing and editing work that does not require substantial

subject-matter knowledge but requires the development of knowledge about the subject of

each assignment in the course of completing it, in the

Writing and Editing Series, GS-1082.

2. Classify positions that involve advising management on the possible public reaction to

proposed policy, identifying communication needs, developing informational materials, and

evaluating public information programs in the

Public Affairs Series, GS-1035.

3. Classify positions that involve writing and editing materials where the paramount

qualification requirements for the work and the career patterns are primarily in a subject-

matter field in the appropriate subject-matter series.

4. Classify positions that primarily involve editorial support work in verifying obvious factual

information in manuscripts and preparing them for publication in the

Editorial Assistance

Series, GS-1087. This series also includes positions that primarily involve routine and

repetitive composition of factual material, or revision of sentences and paragraph order, with

a focus on grammar and format rather than on content and style.

5. Classify positions that communicate information primarily through visual means, such as

illustrations, photographs, diagrams, graphs, charts, or slides, rather than primarily through

the written word, in the

Visual Information Series, GS-1084.

OCCUPATIONAL INFORMATION

Technical writers and technical editors apply writing or editing skills and substantial knowledge

of the basic principles and specialized vocabulary of appropriate subject-matter fields to the

accurate communication of scientific and technological developments to expert and other

interested audiences. Technical writers and technical editors may also apply writing and editing

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Technical Writing and Editing Series, GS-1083 TS-115 May 1992

skills and an understanding of the appropriate equipment and systems to the development of

specifications showing the characteristics and capabilities or the design and test requirements of

equipment and systems; or to the development of training, operating, or maintenance manuals

associated with equipment and systems.

Technical writers and technical editors usually are found in Government activities that sponsor

or perform research, conduct investigations, or carry out operations in such fields as the natural

and social sciences, engineering, and law. Such activities ordinarily disseminate their findings

and decisions to the scientific community, the administrative and policy-making community,

those who might apply the information, and the general public.

Technical writers and technical editors, in addition to reporting research findings and agency

decisions, articulate agency policies and explain technical aspects of agency programs to those

affected. The materials they present explain technical information in such a way as to make it

clear without sacrificing thoroughness and accuracy. Technical writers and technical editors

make sure the materials they present are consistent with agency policy and with other

information presented by the agency, meet the style requirements of the agency and the

publication, and are written at an appropriate level for the intended audience.

Technical writers and technical editors typically use desktop publishing hardware to draft, edit,

and lay out material and sometimes to design, print, and distribute it. Technical writers and

technical editors may manage individual or serial publications from initial conception and

content determination through distribution and coordinate the activities of other publishing

personnel. Thus, while the use of desktop publishing technology does not in itself increase the

complexity of technical writing and editing work, it does allow the technical writer or technical

editor to work more efficiently and to manage projects from start to finish.

Technical writers and technical editors often make final reviews of proposed publications for

style, design, layout, and editorial aspects before release.

Technical writers prepare original papers, articles, or reports in scientific, technical, or

professional fields based on research, interviews with experts and program officials, and

sometimes observation of or participation in tests and experiments. They also may prepare

manuals for training in or guidance on the operation or maintenance of technical equipment and

systems, or specifications for the development or purchase of such equipment and systems.

Technical writers use their knowledge of the language and methods used in the specialized field

to understand and work with technical information. Typical work assignments involve: (1)

obtaining, analyzing, and selecting the pertinent information; (2) determining the most logical

and effective sequence of the narrative; (3) determining the overall length and tone based on the

objectives, the medium, and the audience; (4) writing the material; (5) consulting on or selecting

illustrative material; and (6) preparing the material for publication.

Technical editors prepare manuscripts developed by others for publication by making sure the

material conveys what it was intended to say, is arranged logically, presents the facts to support

the conclusions drawn, is in accordance with agency policy, and is written clearly and

interestingly for the intended audience. Technical editors may also combine the writings of

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Technical Writing and Editing Series, GS-1083 TS-115 May 1992

committees into single coherent works, or prepare abstracts of technical reports. They may also

edit for clarity manuals and specifications prepared by others, including contractors. Technical

editors (1) advise and assist authors during the writing stage; (2) verify the information using

their own knowledge supplemented by research and consultation with other subject experts; (3)

examine the organization, length, and tone of the material; (4) edit the text for clarity and

accuracy; (5) consult on design and graphics; and (6) prepare material for printing. Technical

editors use substantial technical knowledge to understand the technical material. They may be

required to do substantial research and rewriting to organize, balance, and complete deficient

manuscripts to meet publishing objectives. Technical editors consider policy implications and

apply a consistent set of style, grammar, and punctuation practices to manuscripts. They seldom

make substantial changes without discussions with the authors. They sometimes plan, manage,

edit, and approve writing performed under contract.

TITLES

Technical Writer is the title for positions that primarily involve writing technical materials.

Technical Editor is the title for positions that primarily involve editing such materials.

Technical Writer-Editor is the title for positions that involve both technical writing and technical

editing and neither function predominates.

Agencies may supplement official titles with parenthetical titles to identify further those duties

and responsibilities that reflect special knowledge and skills needed to perform the work. For

example, they might specify the subject-matter specialization involved by using a parenthetical

designator such as Technical Editor (Mechanical Engineering). (See the

Introduction to the

Position Classification Standards for more complete guidance on parenthetical titles.)

Use the prefix Supervisory for positions that meet the criteria in the appropriate

general schedule

supervisory guide.

EVALUATING POSITIONS

Evaluate nonsupervisory positions by reference to the grade level criteria in the

Writing and

Editing Grade-Evaluation Guide.

Evaluate supervisory positions using the criteria in the appropriate

general schedule supervisory

guide..

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