Editor/ Writer

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Editor/Writer

🔹 Company: International Council on Clean Transportation

🔹 Location: San Francisco, California, United States (Hybrid)

🔹 Job Type: Full-Time

🔹 Category: Think Tanks

🔹 Date Posted: May 9, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 2-5 years

🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (Washington, D.C. or San Francisco)

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Editing and writing a diverse range of research publications and organizational materials
• Coordinating with the Development Team to produce materials for funders
• Translating long-form pieces into accessible communications products
• Upholding the ICCT's style and quality standards in print and digital products
• Building relationships between researchers and the Communications and Development Teams

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong background in editing and writing, with a focus on scientific or policy documents. Experience with environmental or transportation policy is a plus.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Review and edit a diverse range of written materials, including reports, policy briefs, blog posts, fact sheets, and press releases

✅ Identify and help resolve possible editorial issues, including inconsistencies of argumentation, methodology, development, or organization

✅ Reorganize and rewrite as necessary and negotiate revisions with authors

✅ Handle a continuous stream of editing assignments on a broad range of production timelines

✅ Identify and surface the behind-the-scenes value of the ICCT’s work and highlight policy achievements and impact in organizational reports, promotional materials, presentations, and digital copy

✅ Coordinate with the Development Team to produce and review materials for funders including grant proposals and end-of-year reports

✅ Work with researchers to identify research and writing projects that support the ICCT’s strategic goals and translate long-form pieces into briefs, blog posts, op-eds, and other accessible communications products that suit policy objectives

✅ Help build and manage relationships between researchers in various programs and regions and the Communications and Development Teams

✅ Uphold the ICCT’s style and quality standards in print and digital products

ASSUMPTION: This role involves a mix of developmental editing, copy editing, and writing, with a focus on ensuring the integrity and quality of the ICCT's research publications.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: A graduate degree in environmental science, climate change/sustainability, or a related field, or equivalent work experience

Experience: 3+ years of experience writing and editing according to professional style guidelines such as APA, Chicago Manual, GPO, etc. (APA experience is a plus)

Required Skills:

• Ability to understand and synthesize technical information and translate it for multiple audiences differentiated across platforms
• Attention to detail and accuracy
• Ability to work in multiple software platforms and learn new applications quickly

Preferred Skills:

• Knowledge of the transportation sector and issues related to clean transportation

ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in scientific or policy writing and a strong understanding of environmental or transportation policy will be well-suited to this role.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $91,700 (DC) or $100,900 (SF)

Benefits:

• Health Insurance
• Paid Vacation
• Family Leave
• 401k Plan with a generous 7% employer contribution
• Hybrid/Remote office flexibilities
• Professional development funds
• Other benefits

Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week)

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is based on the location of the office and is competitive for the nonprofit sector. The benefits package is comprehensive and includes health insurance, paid leave, retirement savings, and professional development opportunities.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Think Tanks

Company Size: 51-200 employees

Founded: 2001

Company Description:

• An independent nonprofit organization founded to provide first-rate, unbiased research and technical and scientific analysis to environmental regulators
• Dedicated to improving the environmental performance and energy efficiency of road, marine, and air transportation sectors and fuels
• Committed to benefiting public health and mitigating climate change

Company Specialties:

• Transportation policy
• Advanced vehicle technologies
• Clean energy
• Climate change
• Air quality
• Environmental policy
• Energy efficiency
• Regulations

Company Website: http://www.theicct.org

ASSUMPTION: The ICCT is a well-established think tank with a strong reputation in the environmental and transportation sectors. Its mission and values are well-aligned with those of an experienced Editor/Writer.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Mid-level

Reporting Structure: Reports to the Managing Editor

Work Arrangement: Hybrid (with the option to work remotely)

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential to take on more responsibilities and advance within the Communications or Development Teams
• Opportunity to work on a wide range of topics and gain experience in various aspects of editing and writing
• Possibility to contribute to the ICCT's strategic goals and make a significant impact on its mission

ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to work on a wide range of topics and gain experience in various aspects of editing and writing. It also provides the chance to contribute to the ICCT's mission and make a significant impact on its work.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid (with the option to work remotely)

Office Location(s): Washington, D.C. or San Francisco, California, United States

Geographic Context:

• San Francisco is a vibrant city with a strong focus on environmental sustainability and clean transportation
• Washington, D.C. is the hub of U.S. policy and politics, with a strong presence of think tanks and advocacy organizations

Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours per week) with flexible remote work options

ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement offers a good balance between in-office collaboration and remote flexibility. The locations of the ICCT's offices provide ample opportunities for engagement with relevant stakeholders and industry experts.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Initial screening of applications
• Phone or video screen with the Hiring Manager
• In-depth interview with the Managing Editor and other team members
• Final decision and offer

Key Assessment Areas:

• Editing and writing skills
• Understanding of the ICCT's mission and values
• Ability to work collaboratively and manage relationships
• Attention to detail and accuracy

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant editing and writing experience, as well as your understanding of the ICCT's mission and values
• Provide examples of your editing and writing work, particularly in the environmental or transportation policy sectors
• Be prepared to discuss your approach to editing and writing, as well as your ability to work collaboratively and manage relationships

ATS Keywords: Editing, Writing, Climate Science, Environmental Policy, Transportation Knowledge, Storytelling, Technical Information Synthesis, Communication, Grant Proposals, Research Coordination, Digital Copy, Presentation Skills, Policy Briefs, Fact Sheets, Press Releases

ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role is likely to be competitive, with a focus on candidates with strong editing and writing skills and a demonstrated understanding of the ICCT's mission and values.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft Office Suite of products
• Asana
• Other relevant software platforms and applications

ASSUMPTION: The ICCT is a Mac environment, and candidates should be comfortable working in multiple software platforms and learning new applications quickly.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Intelligence
• Flexibility
• Transparency
• Good humor

Work Style:

• Collaborative
• Mission-driven
• Culturally diverse

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Do you have a strong background in editing and writing, with a focus on scientific or policy documents?
• Are you comfortable working in a collaborative environment and managing relationships with researchers and other team members?
• Do you share the ICCT's commitment to improving the environmental performance and energy efficiency of transportation sectors and fuels?

ASSUMPTION: The ICCT values intelligence, flexibility, transparency, and good humor in its employees. Candidates who are a good fit for the organization's culture will be collaborative, mission-driven, and culturally diverse.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Handling a continuous stream of editing assignments on a broad range of production timelines
• Working with researchers to identify research and writing projects that support the ICCT’s strategic goals
• Managing relationships between researchers in various programs and regions and the Communications and Development Teams
• Upholding the ICCT’s style and quality standards in print and digital products

ASSUMPTION: This role involves a mix of developmental editing, copy editing, and writing, with a focus on ensuring the integrity and quality of the ICCT's research publications. Candidates should be comfortable working on a wide range of topics and managing multiple projects and deadlines.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role is similar to that of an Editor or Writer in other think tanks or research organizations, but with a focus on the environmental and transportation policy sectors
• The ICCT's mission and values set it apart from other organizations, with a strong commitment to improving the environmental performance and energy efficiency of transportation sectors and fuels
• This role offers the opportunity to work on a wide range of topics and gain experience in various aspects of editing and writing, with the potential to contribute to the ICCT's strategic goals and make a significant impact on its mission

ASSUMPTION: This role is well-suited to candidates with experience in editing and writing, particularly in the environmental or transportation policy sectors. It offers a unique opportunity to work on a wide range of topics and gain experience in various aspects of editing and writing, with the potential to contribute to the ICCT's strategic goals and make a significant impact on its mission.

📝 Sample Projects

• Editing a long-form report on global maritime regulations
• Writing a grant proposal for a funder focused on clean transportation initiatives
• Copy editing a technical report on biofuels in Brazil

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects are intended to give candidates an idea of the types of editing and writing tasks they might encounter in this role. The actual projects assigned may vary depending on the ICCT's current research priorities and funder requirements.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the typical workflow for an Editor/Writer in this role?
• How does the Communications Team collaborate with the Research and Development Teams to ensure the integrity and quality of the ICCT's research publications?
• What opportunities are there for professional development and growth within the Communications or Development Teams?
• How does the ICCT support its employees in maintaining a healthy work-life balance?
• What is the ICCT's approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and how does this manifest in its hiring and workplace practices?

ASSUMPTION: These key questions are intended to help candidates better understand the role, the organization, and the work environment. They are not exhaustive, and candidates should feel free to ask additional questions based on their own interests and concerns.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant editing and writing experience, as well as your understanding of the ICCT's mission and values
• Provide examples of your editing and writing work, particularly in the environmental or transportation policy sectors
• Prepare for your interview by researching the ICCT's mission, values, and recent work, and by thinking about how your own skills and experiences align with the role's requirements
• Follow up with the Hiring Manager one week after submitting your application to confirm receipt and reiterate your interest in the role

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.