Publishing Technology Specialist

Summary

The Publishing Technology Specialist, reporting to the Manager of Publishing Technology, assists the Publishing Technology Project Manager with producing and updating manuals, reports, reporting form instructions, and other small- to moderate-sized publications using electronic prepress technologies and composition/page layout tools, including automated composition systems. Performs formatting of document content, chart creation and modification, and file format conversions in support of XML-based workflows. Supports multiple projects of small to moderate size and complexity.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Supports the production of moderately complex publications for dissemination to the public. Works directly with other publishing technology specialists and analysts, editors, web designers and developers, and programmers to accomplish project requirements. Uses publishing technologies to format and combine text, tabular data, charts, and other visual graphic elements to produce publication-ready material. Provides technical assistance to stakeholders on automated publishing processes.
• Works with section colleagues to analyze and propose the most effective mix of automated and traditional publishing systems technologies, techniques, and best practices. Discusses and defines detailed project requirements with stakeholders.
• Is an experienced user and analyst of the Board’s specialized publishing applications and systems, including RWS’s XML Professional Publisher (XPP). Analyzes publishing technology programming issues. Utilizes XPP for automated composition, transformation, and rendering of XML content to PDF.
• Assimilates technical material in support of project assignments. Codes, tests, documents, and utilizes a variety of typesetting and page composition software as well as other presentation applications to produce visuals for print and web. Engages in quality assurance and a formalized review process for all documents to increase efficiency and significantly reduce errors.
• Builds XPP style specifications using stylesheets. Builds custom macros for publications and utilizes scripts to automate publications composition and PDF generation. Develops scripts and stylesheets for data conversion into established formats.
• Provides publishing technology consulting services for stakeholders on publications design and processes, XML workflow to automate the publishing of content, graphic design, and conversion for web pages.
• Follows procedures and plans for testing new or different publishing technologies to integrate technological capabilities with creative design and communications objectives. Develops knowledge of stakeholder business requirements. Validates quality and accuracy of deliverables.
• Assists section in providing publication production support using other specialized publishing applications, such as Adobe InDesign and Adobe Illustrator, on individual projects as well as providing technological support for the section.
• Keeps abreast of evolving design and publications production technologies through training and professional publications and outside contacts. Identifies appropriate directions for own professional development and initiates activities that lead to self-improvement.

Position Requirements

FR-24: Position requires a thorough knowledge of the publishing technology field, including charting data and publication design principles. Has knowledge of principles, concepts, and methodology of publishing technology computer systems, including typography, page layout, document formatting, and publication styles, typically acquired by completion of a bachelor’s degree in graphic design, electronic publishing or equivalent experience and a minimum of three years of relevant experience.

FR-25: Position requires thorough knowledge of the principles, concepts, and methodology of publishing technology and composition, including typography, page layout, document formatting, and publication styles, typically acquired by completion of a bachelor’s degree in graphic design, electronic publishing or equivalent experience and a minimum of four years of relevant experience.

About the Team

The Publishing Technology section works to ensure official Board publications and other public, System, interagency, or internal communications developed by Board staff meet the highest standards for presentation quality, integrity, and timely delivery. The team is responsible for innovating publishing production strategies; collaboratively developing, implementing, and maintaining standards for presentation quality with other teams; ensuring that all public and internal print materials are produced using sophisticated techniques and automated publishing technologies; and maintaining the content management and publishing systems that support this work.

Required Skills/Knowledge:

• Requires at least two years of publishing technology and composition experience in the production of manuals, reports, and other publications
• Excellent oral and written interpersonal communications skills, customer service orientation, and strong project management skills
• Strong learning agility, flexible and agile
• Demonstrated experience working in HTML and markup languages
• Must demonstrate initiative in problem diagnosis and resolution and be skilled in carrying out assignments that support presentation and publication services.
• Strong teamwork and collaboration skills
• Demonstrated experience in RWS’s Professional Publisher (XPP), OpenText Documentum content management system, Adobe Creative Suite, and Microsoft Word and Excel preferred.

Required Application Materials:

For your application to be complete, please attach the following documents at the time of submission:

• Resume
• Cover Letter- highlighting your interest and relevant experience to the role
• Sample of previous publications is not required, but a plus.

Notes:

• This position will be completed in a hybrid work environment with an on-site requirement in Washington, DC.