Editor/Writer - Fort Collins, Colorado

Colorado State University, United States

Updated: 3 months ago
Location: Fort Collins, COLORADO
Deadline: 19 Jun 2023

Posting Details
Posting Detail Information


Working Title Editor/Writer - Fort Collins, Colorado
Position Location Fort Collins, CO or remote optional
Work Location Position is fully remote
Research Professional Position Yes
Posting Number 202301034AP
Position Type Admin Professional/ Research Professional
Classification Title Research Associate II
Number of Vacancies
Work Hours/Week 40
Proposed Annual Salary Range $57,000 to $65,000
Employee Benefits
Colorado State University is committed to providing employees with a strong and competitive benefits package that supports you, your health, and your family. Visit CSU’s Human Resources website for detailed benefit plan information for eligible employees in the following University benefit areas:https://hr.colostate.edu/hr-community-and-supervisors/benefits/benefits-eligibility/ and https://hr.colostate.edu/prospective-employees/our-perks/ . To see the value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, visit our compensation calculator – https://hr.colostate.edu/total-compensation-calculator/ .
Desired Start Date
Position End Date (if temporary)
To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on 06/19/2023
Description of Work Unit
Founded in 1870, Colorado State University is among the nation’s leading research universities and enrolls approximately 32,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. Located an hour north of the Denver metro area, Fort Collins is a vibrant community of approximately 157,000 residents that offers the convenience of a small town with all the amenities of a large city. Fort Collins is situated on the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains with views of 14,000 foot peaks, and offers access to numerous cultural, recreational, and outdoor opportunities.

CEMML is a research, education, and service unit within the Warner College of Natural Resources at CSU. CEMML applies the latest and most appropriate science to promote the sustainable management of natural and cultural resources on Department of Defense (DoD) and other public lands. We provide technical support, conduct applied research, and offer career development and learning opportunities to support resource stewardship. We collaborate with our sponsors and other CSU departments to resolve complex environmental issues, leaving a legacy of science-based decisions that sustain our resources for future generations.
To learn more about CEMML’s contributions to land management, our mission, vision, and values, please visit http://www.cemml.colostate.edu/.
Position Summary
The Colorado State University (CSU) Center for Environmental Management of Military Lands (CEMML) is seeking a highly motivated candidate to serve as an Editor/Writer for a fast-growing team of natural resources specialists (hereafter, Team) in Fort Collins, Colorado. Currently, the Team’s projects meet two areas of crucial need among natural resource programs and managers at Department of Defense (DoD) installations: (1) Natural Resources Planning and Compliance Support, and (2) Wildlife and Habitat Management. To meet these needs, our Team comprises expertise in ecology, climatology, inventory and monitoring, wildlife and habitat management, geographic information systems, natural resources planning/compliance with natural resource laws and policies and presenting science for diverse audiences.
The Editor/Writer is responsible for ensuring that the Team’s products shine—they must look professional and read well so that readers/users can easily apply the information provided to conserving and restoring our Nation’s natural resources on military lands. The Team’s primary products are Integrated Natural Resources Management Plans (INRMPs) and Integrated Cultural Resources Management Plans (ICRMPs), with intermittent needs for individual resource management plans, project reports, and/or public outreach materials. The Editor/Writer will be responsible primarily for editing and assisting with developing INRMPs, ICRMPs, and project reports. Editing assignments will entail conducting in-depth quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) for written products to ensure that they are well organized, maximize word economy and clarity, and follow rules of grammar and punctuation. This could include any level of editing, from minor copyediting to significant wordsmithing. It also requires significant use of advanced MS Word features, including styles, sections, tables of contents, headers/footers, importing files from other applications, and other advanced Word functions to ensure that documents have consistent formatting, adhere to template requirements, and have suitable design elements.
Day-to-day decision-making, as it relates to editing other people’s writing, is required. This includes determining whether and how to repair awkward syntax, condense/paraphrase wordy text, and/or reorganize text to clarify and improve readability in written works by other authors. This frequently requires also deciding when changes should be tracked to allow the author an opportunity to ensure that original meaning was not altered. With regard to writing, day-to-day decision-making may include determining what content to develop, from where the reference material should come, and how to interpret that material and condense paraphrase it in one’s own words. Most assignments will require or benefit greatly from an editor with a background in natural and/or cultural resources to ensure that (1) text is scientifically accurate and relevant, and (2) the language used is appropriate for a given topic and audience. To that end, we are seeking candidates with a degree in natural or cultural-related sciences and at least three years of professional experience in writing, editing, and formatting scientific materials for government agency personnel and/or professional journals, as well as for the general public. This is a full-time position (40 hours/week) with benefits. Travel for this position is not expected.
This position will be based in Fort Collins—a small but growing and progressive city nestled against the eastern flanks of the central Rocky Mountains, approximately one hour north of Denver in north-central Colorado. Its location and Colorado’s idyllic climate make Fort Collins a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts. Within easy reach are myriad trails for hiking, mountain biking, wildlife watching, horseback riding, and back-country skiing on a plethora of public lands, including nearby National Parks, Forests, and Grasslands, and countless local natural areas. Fort Collins also has a vibrant cultural scene, with many options for enjoying theater productions, music events, annual festivals, museums, art galleries, restaurants, gardens, and more. The Fort Collins schools and community services are top-notch.
This position is full-time, remote optional.
Required Job Qualifications
  • M.S. in a natural resources-related field (e.g., Ecology, Wildlife Sciences, Natural Resources Management) or an M.A. or M.S. in a cultural resources-related field (e.g., Anthropology, Archaeology, Historic Preservation, Cultural Resources Management); or a B.S. or B.A. in one of those fields and at least 3 years of professional experience in a natural or cultural resources field or a second degree or certificate in English or Journalism.
  • At least 3 years of professional experience editing/formatting/writing written scientific works and public outreach materials.
  • Demonstrated experience using advanced formatting and editing features of MS Word, including (but not limited to) developing/applying styles, headers/footers, cross references, and inserting/formatting graphics/photographs.
  • Experience manipulating/formatting tables in Excel and exporting them to Word documents.
  • Experience exporting Word documents to Adobe pdf format and handling hotlinks, attachments, etc. in final pdfs.
  • General knowledge of U.S. Natural and/or Cultural Resources Laws.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • The successful candidate must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. by proposed start date; CEMML will not provide visa sponsorship for this position.
Preferred Job Qualifications
  • Experience using Adobe InDesign or some other layout application for designing and laying out written products.
  • Experience editing photographs (e.g., cropping, exposure/contrast corrections) and manipulating photographs and graphics embedded in text (e.g., handling text wrapping, image margins, captions, etc.).
  • Experience using and building custom reference styles in Mendeley or other reference manager application.
  • Experience using ArcGIS for minor edits to map legends, titles, etc.
Diversity Statement
Reflecting departmental and institutional values, candidates are expected to have the ability to advance the Department’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Essential Duties


Job Duty Category Editing/Wordsmithing
Duty/Responsibility
  • Copy edit / wordsmith large planning documents, project reports, professional articles, public outreach products; may include reorganizing, rewriting and improving language, conducting overall quality assurance / quality control; , and assisting Team authors with challenges pertaining to writing style, grammar, styles, layout, etc.
Percentage Of Time 50
Job Duty Category Writing
Duty/Responsibility
  • Write sections of scientific reports or planning documents, or text for public outreach materials; conduct background literature search as needed to ensure inclusion of accurate/relevant content and appropriately interpret that information and condense/paraphrase it for inclusion in written materials.
Percentage Of Time 25
Job Duty Category Advanced formatting in Word and document layout
Duty/Responsibility
  • Apply client-required styles/templates, use advanced Word styles to ensure consistent CEMML formatting and develop layout according to CEMML/CSU branding and standards for products to ensure consistent, professional appearance.
Percentage Of Time 25

Application Details


Special Instructions to Applicants
Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications in the announcement to be considered for hire. Apply no later than June 19, 2023, for full consideration at: https://jobs.colostate.edu/postings/128039 . Mailed or emailed applications will not be accepted.
Upload each of the items below individually as a Word Document (.doc), PDF (.pdf), or Rich Text Format (.rtf). Please note that incomplete applications cannot be considered. Please remove social security numbers and birth dates from application materials. A complete application consists of:
  • Statement of Qualifications (one-page letter addressing each qualification described in the announcement) uploaded in the ‘Cover Letter’ slot.
  • Resume
  • References – please include within your application contact information for 3 professional references including at least one supervisor.


    • References will not be contacted without prior notification of candidates.
    Conditions of Employment Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires)
    Search Contact Jennie Anderson (Jennie.anderson@colostate.edu)
    EEO Statement
    Colorado State University is committed to providing an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based on race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or pregnancy in its employment, programs, services and activities, and admissions, and, in certain circumstances, marriage to a co-worker. The University will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. Colorado State University is an equal opportunity and equal access institution and affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce and complies with all Federal and Colorado State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. The Office of Equal Opportunity is located in 101 Student Services.
    The Title IX Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Title IX Programs and Gender Equity, 123 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-1715, titleix@colostate.edu .
    The Section 504 and ADA Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836, oeo@colostate.edu .
    The Coordinator for any other forms of misconduct prohibited by the University’s Policy on Discrimination and Harassment is the Vice President for Equity, Equal Opportunity and Title IX, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, Co. 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836, oeo@colostate.edu .
    Any person may report sex discrimination under Title IX to the Office of Civil Rights, Department of Education .
    Background Check Policy Statement
    Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

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