Job Description
📍 Location: Tampa, FL (MacDill AFB) | Hybrid: Onsite/Remote
💼 Contract: DoD Agency Publication Services | Pending Award
🔒 Clearance: Active Secret Required (Top Secret Preferred)
About the Role
Lead critical publication operations for a major Department of Defense agency. As a Senior Technical Writer, you'll manage complex, high-visibility publication projects, oversee security review processes, and serve as a subject matter expert on military publications. You'll work directly with General Officer leadership, coordinate with Congressional liaisons, and ensure zero-defect publication standards for materials that shape defense policy and operations.
This is a senior leadership role where your publications directly influence military strategy, inform Congressional decisions, and support national security objectives. You'll mentor junior staff while managing some of the most sensitive and consequential documents in the defense enterprise.
What You'll Do Daily
Advanced Publications Development (40% of time)
- Author high-level publications for senior military leadership (General/Flag Officer level)
- Develop complex policy documents, strategic plans, and operational assessments
- Prepare Congressional testimony materials and quarterly oversight reports
- Lead development of time-sensitive, high-stakes publications
- Serve as final editorial authority and quality control for all team deliverables
DOPSR & Security Review Management (25% of time)
- Manage command-wide Defense Office of Prepublication & Security Review (DOPSR) processes
- Serve as primary liaison with DoD DOPSR office and security officials
- Implement security redactions and coordinate with Public Affairs for material release
- Tain and mentor team members on DOPSR procedures and security protocols
- Prevent unauthorized disclosure of classified information across all publication workflows
Publications Management & Team Leadership (20% of time)
- Oversee and coordinate multiple concurrent publication projects
- Manage workflow and deadline compliance across 3-person team
- Provide mentorship and guidance to junior technical writer
- Implement quality control standards and ensure zero-defect deliverables
- Brief senior leadership on publication status and potential issues
Research & Translation Oversight (10% of time)
- Lead complex research projects on foreign entities, organizations, and individuals
- Conduct in-depth background investigations using classified databases
- Manage translation services and coordinate with language experts
- Ensure accuracy and cultural appropriateness of translated materials
Data Management & Compliance (5% of time)
- Ensure DFARS compliance for all data storage, rights, and ownership
- Implement and maintain document management protocols per DoD guidance
- Oversee version control, backup, and retention schedules
High-Impact Publications You'll Lead
- Quarterly Congressional reports on military operations
- General Officer briefings for Pentagon and National Security Council
- Strategic plans and operational assessments (classified)
- Intelligence summaries and threat assessments for senior leadership
- Policy documents and guidance affecting military operations
- Public affairs materials for media and public release (post-DOPSR)
- Congressional testimony preparation
Required Qualifications
Security Clearance: - Active Secret clearance REQUIRED (must be current and transferable)
- Top Secret clearance strongly preferred
- Must be eligible to work on a Top Secret facility
- Demonstrated experience working with classified materials at multiple classification levels
Education: - Bachelor's degree in English, Communications, Journalism, Technical Writing, or related field REQUIRED
- Master's degree preferred
Experience: - Minimum 5+ years of professional technical writing experience REQUIRED
- Significant experience with DoD/military publications REQUIRED
- Proven track record working in classified environments REQUIRED
- Experience managing publications projects and leading teams strongly preferred
- DOPSR or security review experience highly desired
Core Competencies: - Expert-level military/DoD writing style and deep knowledge of military protocols
- Demonstrated project management and leadership abilities
- Ability to work effectively with General Officer leadership and senior stakeholders
- Expert understanding of security classification and DOPSR procedures
- Strong analytical skills and ability to synthesize complex information
- Ability to manage multiple high-priority projects under extreme time pressure
- Superior attention to detail and zero-defect quality standards
Technical Skills: - Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)
- Expertise with Adobe Acrobat Professional (redaction, security features)
- Experience with document management and workflow systems
- Proficiency with classified email systems (SIPR/JWICS)
- Familiarity with DOPSR submission portals and security review systems
Highly Valued Experience
- Previous experience supporting DoD Combatant Commands
- Direct DOPSR coordination and management experience
- Military service (any branch) - understands military culture
- Congressional liaison or Capitol Hill experience
- Intelligence community background
- Middle East regional expertise or operational experience
- Foreign language proficiency (Arabic, Farsi/Dari, Pashto, Turkish)
- Experience with interagency coordination (State Dept, NSC, etc.)
Work Environment & Expectations
- Hybrid arrangement: Regular onsite presence at MacDill AFB required for classified work
- High-operational-tempo environment with frequent urgent deadlines
- Direct interaction with senior military leadership (General Officers)
- Work with highly classified materials (Secret/Top Secret/SCI)
- Lead a small, elite 3-person team with outsized mission impact
- Zero-defect culture - accuracy and security are paramount
Why This Role Is Different
This isn't standard technical writing or even typical DoD contract work. This role requires:
- Senior-level judgment - Your editorial decisions affect military operations and policy
- Security expertise - You're a trusted authority on classification and DOPSR
- Leadership presence - You brief Generals and interface with Congressional staff
- Mission criticality - Your work supports active military operations worldwide
- Professional excellence - You maintain the highest standards under intense pressure
Career Impact
This role positions you as a senior publications professional in the defense space:
- Develop/maintain Top Secret clearance (career-long asset worth $100K+)
- Gain rare DOPSR expertise - highly valued across defense industry
- Build relationships with senior military leadership and Congressional staff
- Qualify for senior DoD civilian positions (GS-13/14 equivalent work)
- Open doors to other Combatant Commands, intelligence community, or policy organizations
- Develop portfolio of work supporting national security at the highest levels
Contract Details
Status: Pending award - position contingent on contract award
Base Period: February 2, 2026 - February 1, 2027
Option Periods: Four (4) one-year options plus potential 6-month extension
Total Potential Duration: 5.5 years
Job Tags
Full time, Contract work, Work at office, Worldwide,