Publications Specialist II - Magazine Editor

Socket.dev; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 75,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Syms Strategic Group, LLC seeks a Publications Specialist II – Magazine Editor to manage the agency's magazine from concept through distribution. This onsite role in the National Capital Region collaborates with writers, designers, and reviewers to ensure timely, accurate publication. The candidate should have 7–10 years in editorial/publication management, strong editing skills, and deep knowledge of Section 508 and federal standards.

U.S. Citizenship is required for this opportunity.

Qualifications

• 7–10 years of progressively responsible editorial and publication management experience.
• Overseeing production of a periodical, preferably technical or transportation-related.
• Advanced editing, copyediting, and proofreading skills.
• Strong knowledge of Section 508 and federal publishing standards.

Responsibilities

• Provide lifecycle management and editorial excellence for the agency’s magazine.
• Administer the quarterly publication cycle and high-level editorial services.
• Ensure timely production of the magazine and adherence to quality standards.
• Manage production schedules, version control, and approvals across stakeholders.
• Coordinate between writing teams and layout/design teams; meet accessibility requirements.

Skills

Editorial management

Project management

Copyediting/proofreading

Section 508 compliance

Stakeholder coordination

US Citizenship

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Communications/English/Journalism

Master’s degree (preferred)

Job description

Syms Strategic Group (SSG) is seeking a talented Publications Specialist II – Magazine Editor
Location: Washington, DC, McLean, VA, and Remote
Department: Department of Transportation (DOT), Federal Highway Administration (FHA)
Type:Full Time
Min. Experience:Experienced
Security Clearance Level:Public Trust
Salary Range: $75,000 - $85,000
Military Veterans are highly encouraged to apply!

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide the comprehensive lifecycle management and editorial excellence of the agency’s magazine
• Logically administer the quarterly publication cycle and high-level editorial services
• Ensure that the magazine is produced on time
• Follow rigorous quality standards
• Effectively meet strategic communication objectives from initial content intake through final distribution
• Oversee the complete magazine lifecycle, including establishing production schedules, managing the publication cycle, and systematically tracking article versions through a comprehensive approval chain
• Provide high-level editorial support, assisting with content development and the creation of promotional materials
• Implement strict version control and quality assurance protocols throughout the editing and document production process
• Act as the primary liaison between writing/author teams and the layout/design teams
• Manage complex review processes involving multiple stakeholders, including authors, technical reviewers, and legal counsel
• Ensure all final articles and the complete magazine adhere to the GPO Style Manual, Chicago Manual of Style, and Section 508 accessibility requirements
• Confirm all necessary sign-offs and approvals are secured before public release
• Manage the administrative aspects of distribution and formatting specifications to ensure the final product meets all organizational standards for professional release

Required Skills and Experience

• Seven (7) to ten (10) years of progressively responsible professional experience in editorial and publication management
• A proven track record of overseeing the production of a periodical, preferably a technical or specialty publication (e.g., transportation or research journal)
• Expertise in project management for recurring publication cycles
• Advanced proficiency in substantive editing, copyediting, and proofreading
• A deep understanding of Section 508 compliance and federal publishing standards
• An ability to manage complex approval workflows and coordinate between technical and creative teams
• U.S. Citizenship required for this position.

Professional Certifications None required

Years of Professional Experience 7-10 years of total professional experience

Desired experience Transportation experience, especially in highway and surface transportation is preferred
A Master’s degree or equivalent advance professional certification

Formal Education Bachelor’s degree or higher in Communications, English, Journalism, or a closely related field

Citizenship Requirement U.S. Citizenship required for this specific opportunity

Security Clearance Requirements Must possess or qualify for a Public Trust (MBI)

CRITICAL NOTES:

1. SSG will not make assumptions regarding your qualifications. Your answers to the mandatory screening questions must be supported by the information on your resume. Applications with inconsistencies will not be considered.
2. Recruiters or Third parties will not be considered.
3. This position is an onsite role located in the National Capital Region.
4. This project is contingent upon contract award.
5. This is a W-2 position.
6. All interviews will be conducted on Microsoft Teams with your camera on; there will be no exceptions.
7. As part of our screening process, you will be requested to provide a link to your LinkedIn profile

U.S Citizenship is required for this specific opportunity. Applicants selected will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information and be able to obtain a government-granted security clearance. Individuals may also be subject to a background investigation including, but not limited to criminal history, employment and education verification, drug testing, and creditworthiness.
Syms Strategic Group, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or genetic information.