English Technical Editor

Automotive and Surface Transportation; Ottawa; Hybrid; CAD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The National Research Council Canada is seeking a conscientious, solutions-oriented English Technical Editor to support our Construction Research Centre. The editor will provide English technical editing, copyediting, proofreading and XML/Word input services for the national and provincial construction codes and related materials.

The incumbent ensures that English publications are clear, logical and accurate, conforming to accepted style and usage.

Qualifications

• Degree from a recognized Canadian university in English, Communications, or Journalism, or related to technical writing/editing.
• Equivalent combination of education and direct experience may be considered.
• 5+ years editing and proofreading technical/legal documents in English (recent; within last 2 years).
• Experience in publishing with content management systems, XML preferred, Word and Acrobat.
• Experience editing communications materials and producing technical documents within tight deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Provide English technical editing, copyediting, proofreading and input services for national/provincial construction codes and related materials.
• Ensure publications are clear, logical, accurate and conform to style guidelines.
• Work within a team of editors, translators and IT specialists on site.
• Support XML/HTML markup for document publication.
• Contribute to readiness and quality control for regulatory code documents.

Skills

Attention to detail

Excellent organizational skills

Strong English writing

Oral and written communication

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in English/Communications/Journalism

Tools

Content Management System

XML

Microsoft Word

Adobe Acrobat

Job description

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Priority may be given to the following designated employment equity groups: women, Indigenous Peoples* (First Nations, Inuit and Métis), persons with disabilities and racialized persons*.

* The Employment Equity Act, which is under review, uses the terminology Aboriginal peoples and visible minorities.

Candidates are asked to self-declare when applying to this hiring process.

OrganizationalUnit:Construction

Classification:IS-3

Duration: 3 year

Work arrangements: Due to the nature of the work and operational requirements, this position may be eligible for a limited hybrid work arrangement (combination of working onsite and telework).

At the NRC, we recognize that Indigenous candidates may have important connections to their communities and you may be eligible for an exception to this work arrangement. Alternative work arrangements may also be considered to accommodate candidates as required. To learn more about these options, please contact the NRC Hiring team using the contact information below.

Discover the possible

The role

We are looking for a conscientious, solutions-oriented English Technical Editor who strives for excellence to support our Construction Research Centre. The English Technical Editor would be someone who shares our core values of impact, accountability, leadership, integrity and collaboration.

The national model construction codes—collectively referred to as “Codes Canada”—are developed through a collaborative process involving the best expertise from across Canada and around the world to provide effective building and safety regulations that are harmonized across Canada.

These highly legalistic and technically complex documents are accessed by thousands of practitioners in the construction industry, so the standards of quality are very high.

The incumbent provides English technical editing, copyediting, proofreading and electronic (XML, Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat) input services for the production and publication of the national and provincial construction codes (quasi-judicial, technical documents), user's guides, intent statements, information documents, specifications, and promotional material.

The incumbent is responsible for ensuring that English publications and documents are clear, logical and accurate, and conform to accepted standards of style, grammar and usage.

The incumbent works on site within a team of editors, translators and IT specialists

Screening criteria

Applicants must demonstrate within the content of their application that they meet the following screening criteria in order to be given further consideration as candidates:

Education

Degree from a recognized Canadian university in English, Communications, or Journalism, or in a field related to technical writing and editing.

An equivalent combination of education and direct experience may be considered.

• Significant* and recent** (at least five years in the last ten years) experience in editing and proofreading technical/legal documents in English.
• Experience in publishing documents using a content management system, markup language (XML preferred), Microsoft Word and Adobe Acrobat.
• Experience in editing and proofreading communications materials, promotional brochures, factsheets, ads, and social media messaging in English.
• Experience in planning and scheduling editorial and document production tasks and carrying them out within tight deadlines.

Definition:

*Significant is defined as experience associated with having performed a broad range of related activities considering the complexity, depth and scope of the work handled, as well as the level of responsibility and autonomy demonstrated which would normally be acquired over a period of six (6) years.

**Recent is defined as experience acquired within the last two (2) years.

Condition of employment

Reliability Status

For a Reliability Status, verification of background information over a period of 5 years is required.

Candidates will be assessed on the basis of the following criteria:

• Substantial knowledge of the fundamentals of technical editing, layout of documents and graphics as well as production processes associated with the publication of technical/legal documents.
• Expert knowledge of the rules of the English language (grammar, usage and style).
• Knowledge of the use of HTML/XML for hypertext markup of source text.
• Knowledge of the Canadian construction industry, particularly as related to the needs and preferences of regulatory code users, would be an asset.
• Attention to detail, judgment, initiative, self-motivation, and excellent organizational skills. Ability to carry out instructions and communicate effective in English, both orally and in writing.
• Management services - Client focus (Level 2)
• Management services - Communication (Level 2)
• Management services - Conceptual and analytical ability (Level 2)
• Management services - Initiative (Level 2)
• Management services - Teamwork (Level 2)

Competency Profile(s)

For this position, the NRC will evaluate candidates using the following competency profile(s): Management Services ;

NRC employees enjoy a wide-range of competitive benefits including a robust pension plan, comprehensive health and dental coverage, disability and life insurance, office closure at the end of December, and additional supports to enhance your well-being throughout your career and beyond.

Notes

• In 2026, the NRC was chosen as one of Canada’s Top Employers for Young People, a National Capital Region Top Employer and Forbes Canada’s Best Employer.
• Relocation assistance will be determined in accordance with the NRC's directives.
• A pre-qualified list may be established for similar positions for a one-year period.
• Preference will be given to Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents of Canada. Please include citizenship information in your application.
• The incumbent must adhere to safe workplace practices at all times.
• We thank all those who apply, however only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

Closing Date: 9 October 2026 - 23:59 Eastern Time