[Hiring] Publications Specialist II @Nexight Group

Role Description

Nexight Group is hiring an experienced Publications Specialist II – Magazine Editor to lead the editorial and production lifecycle of a quarterly federal magazine focused on transportation research and innovation. This senior-level position requires exceptional editorial judgment, publication management expertise, and the ability to translate complex technical information into engaging content for diverse audiences.

This position is contingent upon Nexight Group receiving an anticipated federal contract award. Employment under this position will begin only after contract award and authorization to proceed.

• Manage the full lifecycle of a quarterly print and digital magazine, including:
  • Editorial planning
  • Production schedules
  • Article tracking
  • Version control
  • Reviews and approvals
  • Production, distribution, and archiving
• Maintain a robust editorial pipeline that balances evergreen content with emerging transportation research, innovations, and trends.
• Develop and refine magazine content, conducting interviews as needed and working with authors and subject matter experts.
• Provide substantive editing, copyediting, proofreading, fact checking, and quality assurance.
• Translate complex technical and research information into clear, accurate, engaging content for technical and nontechnical audiences.
• Serve as a key liaison among authors, technical reviewers, editors, graphic designers, federal communications staff, legal counsel, and public affairs personnel.
• Coordinate magazine layout and production, working closely with graphic designers.
• Support communications and promotional materials associated with each issue.
• Proactively identify and resolve editorial, workflow, and production challenges.
• Manage formal review and approval workflows, verifying incorporation of technical review comments.
• Ensure editorial quality and compliance with the GPO Style Manual, Chicago Manual of Style, Section 508 accessibility requirements, and applicable federal publishing standards.
• Coordinate final production, distribution, and archiving requirements.

This is a remote position. Candidates in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area are preferred, as occasional in-person meetings or activities may occur at client locations in McLean, VA, or Washington, DC.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, English, Technical Communications, Publishing, or a related field.
• 7–10 years of progressively responsible experience in editorial and publication management.
• Experience managing complex, multi-stakeholder editorial workflows.
• Working knowledge of major editorial style guides, particularly GPO and Chicago.
• Section 508 accessibility experience.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to successfully complete required federal government personnel security/background investigation.

Requirements

• Advanced substantive editing, copyediting, proofreading, fact checking, and editorial quality assurance skills.
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex technical or research information for nontechnical audiences.
• Exceptional editorial judgment, attention to detail, and commitment to producing accurate, high-quality work.
• Ability to take ownership of work independently while collaborating effectively across multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to build productive working relationships and communicate professionally with clients, authors, technical experts, reviewers, designers, and colleagues.
• Ability to provide editorial guidance and constructive feedback to writers and contributors.
• Curiosity, critical thinking, adaptability, and initiative.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree or advanced professional certification in Communications, Journalism, English, Technical Communications, Publishing, or a related field.
• Experience managing a technical, scientific, research, engineering, or other specialty publication.
• Federal government publishing or communications experience.
• Transportation, infrastructure, engineering, or applied-research communications experience.
• Advanced Section 508 expertise.
• Experience with Adobe Creative Cloud products, particularly InDesign and Acrobat.

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid parental leave
• Company contributions to employee health savings accounts (HSAs)
• Company 401(k) contributions
• Profit sharing
• Annual bonus program

To Apply

Please submit the following information:

• Resume
• A cover letter that articulates your qualifications and motivation for this position
• Two writing and/or editing samples that demonstrate your ability to translate complex technical information for nontechnical audiences

Applications without a resume, cover letter, and writing/editing samples will not be considered.

If you require reasonable accommodation to complete a job application, pre-employment testing, or a job interview, please contact: [email protected].

Nexight Group LLC provides equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

All applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.