U.S. Federal Government as a Source of Employment for Technical Writers
The U.S. federal government is a major source of employment for technical writers, as the government employs more than 7,000 writers who produce manuals and instructions for federal agencies and departments.
Technical writing is a field that requires an understanding of the subject matter being written about, as well as the ability to communicate clearly with others who may not have that expertise. Technical writers are often called upon to create instructional materials for various purposes, such as teaching people how to use software or equipment or providing instructions on how to handle hazardous materials.
The U.S. federal government offers many opportunities for technical writing careers because it has a need for documentation on a variety of topics relating to its programs and services.
The federal government hires technical writers at all levels of experience, from entry-level positions with a Bachelor’s degree to senior level positions with a Master’s degree.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job opportunities are expected to grow by 11% from 2014-2024.
According to Salary.com, a technical writer at the entry-level can expect an annual salary between $41,000 and $68,000.
U.S. Federal government provides quite a few opportunities for technical writers who prefer the security of a steady paycheck, generous benefits, and long-term job security.
When the economy tanks out, private sector jobs are the first to go while government workers stay put.
Consider these U.S. facts:
- The largest employer in the United States is the Federal Government.
- U.S. The Federal Government employs approximately 2.8 million personnel, and federal jobs can be obtained in over 200 countries.
- The Office of Personnel Management, which is the hiring authority for the Federal Government, announced that due to attrition (baby boomers retiring) up to 50% of the current federal workforce is projected to retire over the next five to seven years. This means they’ll be hiring (just like all other workers) new writers as well.
Here are some of the technical writing opportunities available in the government sector, in any country:
- Policy Handbooks and Manuals
- Government Agency Style Guides
- Government Rules and Regulations Handbooks
- Policy Memorandums
- Memorandums of Understanding (MOU)
- Meeting Minutes
- Conference Reports
- Conference Presentation Notes and Slide Shows
- Human Resources Guideline Handbook
- Public Policy Reports
- Government G-rant and Proposal Guidelines
- Government Web Site content
- Inventory Documentation
- Legal and Ethical Guidelines documents
- White Papers
- Agency Case Studies (how problems were solved; challenges met)
Here is a good web site with links to employment opportunities to numerous Federal agencies in the United States:
http://www.usajobs.gov/
Apply for a government writing position and make your success official!
