Technical Writer

WHO WE ARE: 

At Fors Marsh, we take on issues that matter. We are a team of researchers, strategists, and communicators working together to drive lasting change. We look at human behavior from all angles with a deep understanding of people and context to design solutions that influence decision-making and move people to action. Our work promotes health and well-being, shapes resilient communities, and builds effective and accountable institutions. We are a certified B Corporation and a Top Workplace for 7 consecutive years.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

Fors Marsh is seeking an experienced hybrid writer/editor to write, edit, and refine technical research content for industry professionals.  This individual will create original content from research, interviews, SME input, technical discussions, and source materials, then carry that content through editing, revision, approval, and publication. The role supports communications on a range of verticals across our portfolio, including infrastructure, natural hazards, transportation, and recruitment marketing.

This position is a contingent hire, meaning it is contingent on Fors Marsh winning an upcoming proposal. The interview process will be the same as our standard process, the offer letter (should we decide to move forward) will serve as a letter of commitment.

Responsibilities include:

• Research, write, and edit original content that supports communications across infrastructure, natural hazards, transportation, recruitment marketing, and other portfolio areas.
• Collaborate with engineers, researchers, developers, technical staff, and federal SMEs to translate complex technical concepts into clear narratives for technical and nontechnical audiences.
• Develop and edit materials including research summaries, fact sheets, brochures, magazine articles, newsletters, technical reports, technical briefs, user manuals, web content, presentations, social media content, talking points, FAQs, video scripts, storyboards, transcripts, alternative text, surveys, and other communication products.
• Conduct interviews, gather background research, attend or review technical discussions, and synthesize source material into accurate, publication-ready content.
• Perform substantive editing, copyediting, proofreading, rephrasing, rewriting, formatting, fact-checking, reference checking, and data verification.
• Support publication development and delivery across print, web, email, presentation, and other digital dissemination channels.
• Ensure adherence to the GPO Style Manual, Chicago Manual of Style, American Psychological Association Style, client style guides, Section 508 requirements, and applicable federal publication standards.
• Maintain version control and support multi-stage review and approval processes involving project teams, client reviewers, External Affairs, Legal, technical SMEs, and external stakeholders.
• Support fast-turnaround writing and editing requests, including same-day or next-day products when needed.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in technical writing, English, communications, journalism, transportation, engineering, public policy, science, or a related scientific or technical field.
• 5-10 years of professional experience in technical writing, editing, publishing, or technical communications supporting scientific, engineering, research, or policy-focused programs.
• Demonstrated experience translating complex technical, scientific, engineering, or policy content into clear written materials for technical and nontechnical audiences.
• Demonstrated expertise applying major style guides, especially GPO and Chicago, with willingness or ability to apply client-specific style and reference guide.
• Fluency in assessing the best modern tools, including AI, to enhance operational scale and performance.
• Experience supporting federal publication, clearance, review, or approval processes.
• Experience developing Section 508-compliant content, including alternative text, accessible documents, and web-ready materials.
• Experience developing content for infrastructure, natural and man-made hazards, transportation, engineering, scientific research, public-sector, or federally funded programs strongly preferred.
• Ability to work under pressure and deliver outstanding content on tight deadlines.
• Experience working in a federal government contracting environment.
• Experience interacting with clients and steering conversations to resolve edits, comments, and content questions raised during review.
• Ability to work on-site in the Washington D.C. area as needed.
• Ability to work during standard business hours.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen and consent to a full background check due to our federal contract requirements.
• Applicants may be subject to a low-level government security investigation and must meet eligibility criteria for access to sensitive information.
• Federal access and security requirements: Candidates must be able to complete any required federal background investigation, identity verification, security awareness training, and access procedures required for work with client systems or facilities.

We Offer:

Our benefits typically meet or exceed our competitors' packages. What's in it for you?

• Ability to make an impact on people's lives, both internal and external to the organization.

• Top-tier health and dental covered at 100% for employee coverage.

• Additional vision, and long and short-term disability options.

• Our company culture, which values balance and allows each employee to take leave as they require it to balance the responsibilities of both their work and home lives without worrying about depleting their available leave hours.

• A floating holiday bank so you can celebrate the days you value.

• Generous matching retirement contributions and no vesting period starting the third month of employment.

• Dedicated training and development budgets to expand your expertise and grow your skillset.

• You can volunteer your way with paid time off.

• You can participate in Fors Marsh staff-led affinity groups.

• Our employees receive product and service discounts through the certified B Corp network.

Position Status: Contingent. This position is contingent upon contract award and client approval. Hiring and start date will be dependent upon award, final staffing requirements, and completion of any required background investigation or access procedures.

Annual Salary:  $79,000-$96,000

Internal FM Career Map: Science Writer

Req: 2028

Location: Hybrid. Onsite requirements 3-4 days a week during business hours on client site near Washington, D.C.

EOE: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran