Communications and Technical Writer

This competition is open to all applicants however internal candidates and applicants who were former employees of the University of Alberta in the past 18 months will be given priority consideration before external candidates. Please indicate your internal status using the "Advertisement" drop down menu when applying.

This position has an end date of one year and a day from the date of hire and offers a comprehensive benefits package which can be viewed at: Faculty & Staff Benefits .

Reporting to the Director of the Centre for Smart Transportation (CST), the Communications and Technical Writer at the Centre for Smart Transportation will provide comprehensive writing and editing support to CST faculty, staff, and students, including proposal development and high-level editing of scholarly material; produce and coordinate all CST communications materials, including the CST website and newsletter; and coordinate CST-related training, information, and other events.

RESPONSIBILITIES/ ACTIVITIES: Group activities into categories and list in point form each duty performed until the major elements of the position are represented. Review each statement to ensure that it accurately describes what is done and briefly, how it is done. Please indicate the percentage of time spent on each of the major activities listed

Editing/ Writing (40%):

• Provide technical editing, formatting, and proofreading for academic journal articles to be submitted for publication (and related correspondence with journal editors) and conference papers for presentation
• Edit, proofread, or assist with writing reports (technical, progress, etc.) for submission to collaborators or funding agencies
• Assist with editing and proofreading the thesis projects of Master's and PhD students affiliated with the Centre's faculty members
• Draft and edit correspondence as required by the Centre faculty members
• Work in a collaborative environment where consultation with the Centre faculty and staff determines the guiding principles for each writing project
• Quickly assess the writing style necessary for each project and effortlessly transition from one style to another
• Some writing instruction for graduate students
• Provide writing, editing, and proofreading support for grant and other funding and project proposals
• Research government and institutional policy documentation related to proposal topic and funding requirements
• Draft sample letters of support and other correspondence for use by contributing partners Maintain and update Centre faculty members' CVs and biographical documents

Communications (40%):

• Assist in developing and writing documentation related to the Centre's governance organization, partnership and funding arrangements, and project procedures for internal and external use
• Lead as site administrator and key developer of the Centre website, supervising other web editor(s) and managing all content; create fundamental content and new material for website Write, design, and produce a regular Centre newsletter for committed and prospective partners Research and write materials for use in multiple venues that raise awareness and the profile of the Centre among target audiences
• Communicate with printers and publishers
• Act as the main contact person for all general inquiries related to the Centre and as correspondent for Centre-related events
• Develop Centre-branded forms and templates for use by faculty and other Centre staff

Event Coordination (20%):

• Develop and maintain a contact and interest database for advertising training workshops, short courses, etc.
• Research training opportunities and assist in developing training events, including editing PowerPoint presentations, writing and producing handouts and other material, and advertising events widely in appropriate venues
• Organize and promote special events and scheduled training events; distribute invitations and printed materials to appropriate contacts
• Book meeting rooms for workshops and manage registration database
• Setup and organize web-conferencing technology, as necessary

KNOWLEDGE:

The ideal applicant will have as a minimum a diploma or certificate (or equivalent combination of education and experience) in technical editing, communications, or a related discipline. A university degree in communications, English, or a related discipline that emphasizes strong language skills would be an asset due to the scholarly content of much of the material. Given the proposal development aspect of this position especially, at least two years' experience working in a university setting would also be an asset.

The candidate must be comfortable interacting with senior and academic colleagues. S/he will possess a strong commitment to working with graduate students and a professional, poised and positive approach. Above all, s/he will possess outstanding written and oral communication abilities, exceptional organizational and analytical skills, and the ability to multi-task while maintaining attention to detail.

Competencies:

• Exceptional organization skills with the ability to multi-task and manage time without losing attention to detail.
• Outstanding interpersonal and relationship-building skills
• Excellent written and oral communication abilities
• Strong research and information-gathering skills
• Strong commitment to client service
• Complete familiarity with MS Office products (including Word, Excel, Publisher, PowerPoint, Access, and Visio)
• Familiarity with desktop publishing software
• Familiarity with the University of Alberta an asset
• Familiarity with the engineering profession an asset

COVID-19 Vaccination: Proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 in compliance with the University’s COVID-19 Vaccination Directive. Fully Vaccinated means a status an individual achieves 14 days after having received the recommended number of doses of a COVID-19 vaccine approved by Health Canada or the World Health Organization, and requires the individual to maintain the recommended number and type of vaccine doses as updated and required by Health Canada thereafter.

Note: Online applications are accepted until midnight Mountain Standard Time of the closing date.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.