Careers at Virginia Tech

The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) is the country’s largest collegiate-based transportation research institute, charged with finding solutions to the greatest transportation challenges facing our world. The Technical Proposal Writer is an integral part of VTTI’s Proposal Team, which produces and submits $100M in proposals annually, having a direct impact on transportation safety, efficiency, and sustainability.

Key Responsibilities:
• Content Development: Work closely with Principal Investigators (PIs), Program Managers, and VTTI leadership to lead the content development of VTTI’s proposals.
• Technical Content Quality: Ensure technical proposal content has a sound, logical, and cohesive approach. Iterate with other members of the proposal development teams to assure submission of world-class business and technical volumes on behalf of VTTI.
• Editorial Oversight: Determine responsibility for all editorial elements of proposals and other written deliverables, including participation from the beginning to the end of the proposal submission process (composition, editing, assembly, and production of final technical documents submitted to the sponsor).
• Clarity and Accessibility: Ensure that technical content is logical and understandable by multiple audiences, including non-technical stakeholders, by maintaining clarity, cohesiveness, and responsiveness to the opportunity announcement.
• Consistency and Standards: Ensure consistency in image, branding, grammar, punctuation, format, tone, and style. Apply VTTI proposal standards and practices effectively to all proposal documents as time and circumstances require.
• Project Management: Work collectively with the Proposal Team and VTTI’s PIs to plan and implement a proposal development timetable, staffing plans, and identify unique or unusual specifications in the request for proposal requirements.
• Additional Editing: Edit other technical documents as necessary, including, but not limited to, reports to sponsors, journal articles to be submitted for publication, external publicity materials, newsletters, etc.

Directions Given and Received:
• Independently perform most assignments with instructions on global objectives and general results expected.
• Receive guidance on unusual or complex problems, and work is reviewed for application of sound professional judgment.
• May supervise, mentor, train, and coordinate the work of faculty, staff, and graduate research assistants who assist in specific assignments.

The team is looking to hire for the Blacksburg area but is open to considering remote work.

• Educational Background: Master’s degree in journalism, English, communications, or a related field. A bachelor's degree with significant related experience may be considered in lieu of the advanced degree.
• Technical Writing and Editing Skills: Demonstrated experience in technical writing, research editing, and grant/contract proposal coordination. Comprehensive knowledge of English grammar and the ability to edit and write communication materials for multiple audiences, ensuring clarity and accessibility.
• Work Ethic: Must have a strong work ethic and be able to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Work Experience: A strong record of progressive experience in communication fields, including demonstrated technical writing and editing skills.
• Project Management: Ability to work under pressure, oversee multiple projects, and meet deadlines.
• Collaboration: Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively with a variety of people.
• Software Proficiency: Proficiency with the Microsoft Office suite, especially MS Word.
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• Previous experience working in writing, editing, or communications within a university/higher education setting
• A technical background with an understanding of basic engineering principles.
• Familiarity with Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft PowerPoint, and Adobe Photoshop
• Familiarity with federal government acquisition, solicitation request for proposal (RFP) process and contracting resources.
• Transportation/Research experience is desirable
• Familiarity with web or graphic design software, such as Adobe Creative Suite and Web content management systems

Restricted

Commensurate with Experience, starting salary is $57,000

2/27/2025

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including the Innovation Campus in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous Extension offices and research centers. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance.  These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.