Technical Writer I

Technical Writer I – U.S. Coast Guard (SAFECEN Support)
On-site Norfolk, VA

Job Description
The Technical Writer provides professional technical writing, editing, publication development, and project lifecycle documentation support to the United States Coast Guard (USCG) Safety Service Center (SAFECEN). The role supports the development, refinement, and maintenance of safety guidance, procedures, reports, communications, and other technical products while guiding subject matter experts through established Coast Guard documentation and publication processes.
This position ensures that all written deliverables meet USCG quality, accessibility, formatting, and compliance standards, and supports mission-critical safety communications and operational documentation aligned with SAFECEN’s mission and stakeholder needs.
Required Skills

• Technical writing, editing, proofreading, and document formatting in alignment with Coast Guard standards and direction from a Technical Writer II lead
• Ability to translate complex technical, operational, and safety information into clear, concise, and user-friendly written content
• Experience developing technical reports, procedural documents, guidance materials, and communications products
• Experience writing or supporting federal government documentation
• Strong command of grammar, editorial consistency, and structured document organization
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and document management tools (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, SharePoint, Teams, etc.)
• Ability to collaborate with SMEs and program staff, gather inputs, conduct interviews, and incorporate feedback
• Ability to support meeting documentation, including agendas, notes, summaries, and action items
• Knowledge of accessibility requirements and federal documentation processes, including Section 508 considerations
• Strong organizational and communication skills, with the ability to manage multiple documents and version-controlled files
• Bachelor’s degree in English, Communications, Technical Writing, Journalism, Public Administration, or a related field
• Three years of experience in technical writing, editing, or documentation development

Desired Skills

• Experience supporting DHS, DoD, U.S. Coast Guard, or other federal agencies
• Familiarity with safety, operational, or regulatory documentation environments, especially those involving risk, compliance, or mission support
• Experience with publication development, lifecycle documentation, and archival processes, including version control and document repositories
• Knowledge of federal accessibility standards and documentation compliance practices, including Section 508 and agency-specific publication policies
• Experience supporting OASIS+, IDIQ, Firm-Fixed-Price, or task order‑–based contract environments
• Understanding of Coast Guard documentation workflows, publication approval processes, and SAFECEN mission priorities
• Experience coordinating with SMEs and stakeholders in structured review cycles, including redlines, adjudication, and quality assurance steps

Technical Writing & Documentation Development

The Technical Writer develops, edits, and maintains a wide range of technical documents and publications, including safety guidance, procedural manuals, reports, communications products, and operational documentation supporting Coast Guard safety programs. The role translates complex technical, operational, and safety information into clear, accurate, and user-friendly written products tailored to diverse stakeholder audiences.
Responsibilities include drafting original content, revising existing documentation, and ensuring consistency in tone, terminology, structure, and formatting across all deliverables.

Editing, Review & Quality Assurance

The Technical Writer reviews and edits technical documents for accuracy, clarity, readability, accessibility, and compliance with Coast Guard standards and established publication processes. The role ensures deliverables meet high-quality editorial standards through structured review cycles, peer editing, and stakeholder validation.
The Technical Writer applies rigorous quality control procedures to verify grammar, technical accuracy, formatting, and alignment with agency guidelines prior to submission.

Product & Publication Development

The Technical Writer supports the development of SAFECEN publications and communication products, including reports, guidance documents, presentations, and internal and external communications materials. The role assists in planning, drafting, formatting, and finalizing publication-ready content that supports Coast Guard safety initiatives and operational messaging.
Responsibilities include coordinating publication timelines, version control, and document lifecycle management to ensure the timely and accurate delivery of products.

Stakeholder Coordination & SME Engagement

The Technical Writer collaborates closely with Coast Guard subject matter experts, program staff, and stakeholders to gather technical inputs and clarify requirements. The role guides SMEs through established documentation processes, conducts interviews and information-gathering sessions, and incorporates feedback into finalized deliverables.
The Technical Writer ensures effective communication and coordination to support workflow management and the timely completion of assigned writing and editing tasks.

Meeting & Project Lifecycle Support

The Technical Writer provides meeting support and documentation services, including preparing agendas, capturing meeting notes, and developing summaries and action items. The role supports project lifecycle documentation by tracking deliverables, milestones, and documentation updates throughout the task order period.
Responsibilities include maintaining organized records, document repositories, and version-controlled files to support continuity and audit readiness.

Compliance, Accessibility & Process Adherence

The Technical Writer ensures all documentation complies with applicable federal standards, accessibility requirements, and Coast Guard publication policies. The role supports adherence to established SAFECEN processes for document development, review, approval, and dissemination.

The Technical Writer ensures that deliverables align with contract requirements and quality expectations while supporting continuous improvement in documentation workflows and processes.
Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in English, Communications, Technical Writing, Journalism, Public Administration, or a related field
• Three to five years of experience in technical writing, editing, or documentation development
• Demonstrated experience producing technical reports, guidance documents, or procedural manuals
• Strong editing, proofreading, and document formatting skills
• Experience working with subject matter experts to translate technical content into clear written products
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and document management tools
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting federal agencies, DoD, DHS, or Coast Guard programs
• Familiarity with safety, operational, or regulatory documentation environments
• Experience supporting publication development and lifecycle documentation processes
• Knowledge of accessibility standards and federal documentation compliance practices
• Experience supporting OASIS+, IDIQ, or task-order–based contracts

The position requires one writer to be on‑site at a time. Until the new U.S. Coast Guard Safety Service Center facility opens, the technical writing team will rotate between remote work and the single on‑site desk. This rotation ensures continuous on‑site coverage, maintains direct coordination with SAFECEN staff, and allows the full team to stay engaged in daily work regardless of location. Once the new facility is operational, the team will transition to the on‑site arrangement defined by the Government.