Employment Opportunities

ATTENTION: Currently the application process is on hold. May 22, 2018.

Position Availability: Publications Manager position

Coastal Science & Engineering, Inc. (CSE), 160 Gills Creek Parkway, Columbia SC 29209  www.coastalscience.com.

Posted April 16, 2018.  60 days or until position filled. 

Full-Time 40 hrs/wk 8:00 am–5:00 pm M–F.  Some eve/wkend work.  Hours may be flexed.

Coastal Science & Engineering (CSE), Columbia (SC), is seeking an experienced publications professional to join its specialized coastal engineering team.  Under the supervision of the president/senior scientist and the chief engineer, the Publications Manager is responsible for overseeing the company’s publications operations according to established company protocol, primarily document development and production. The ideal candidate will be proficient in current publications software programs, at least familiar with graphics design software, and able to learn quickly the terminology related to CSE’s technical services.  Proficiency with social media and web site maintenance/management is desired.

This position routinely works with scientific, engineering, technical and engineering design (CAD) staff to develop company reports and presentations related to proposed and ongoing projects.  A successful candidate should have experience typing/formatting detailed reports with table of contents, narrative, scientific data, tables/graphs, photographs, and appendices, OR will be able to learn rapidly. S/He must be a stickler for grammar, punctuation, syntax, format/design, and a consistent editorial style.  An essential position, the candidate must have sufficient experience, knowledge, and maturity to fill this role confidently from the outset.  

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Maintain quality control of all documents/publications, applying CSE standards of excellence.
• Work collaboratively with staff to prepare documents, eg, scientific/technical reports, permit application narratives, responses to comments, client agreements.
• Provide typing, editing, formatting, cover design. Love of words a plus.
• Edit/refine tables, graphs, and photographs for final appearance and placement.
• Print/assemble/deliver copies of final reports by specified deadlines.
• Maintain (or oversee) in-house library/document archives—print and electronic.
• Maintain/update company website and manage social media presence.
• Provide some administrative management* to company operations. (*Shared with Business Manager.)

 Attributes:

• Establishes/maintains effective relationships with staff, clients, subcontractors.
• Confident in skills and competencies, including recommending alternative software to improve document production and scientific presentations.
• Uses advanced time management, organizational, and analytical skills.
• Desires to find answers, problem-solve, take initiative.
• Sets priorities well and works efficiently under pressure to meet deadlines.
• Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability.
• Uses effective listening and communication skills.
• Enjoys working in a small business environment.

Education/Skills/Proficiencies

Minimum Qualifications:

‒ 2-year associate degree in writing/publishing, business management, information management, or scientific-technical field, plus a min. 5 years experience in publications production and/or scientific/technical document preparation.  OR

‒ 4-year bachelor degree in English, journalism, publishing, business management, information management, or natural sciences with a min. 3 years experience in publications and/or scientific/ technical document preparation.

• Knowledge of and experience with a wide range of report production software and interfaces in order to integrate text and graphics from multiple sources.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, including Word, Styles in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, and pdf software.
• Familiar with graphics software, eg Adobe Suite products (Photoshop, NDesign, Light Room) for creating/editing scientific graphs, charts, diagrams.
• Ability to work with large, complex documents.
• Ability to learn jargon of profession related to coastal engineering, beach restoration, environmental assessments, and engineering design.
• Experience or familiarity with standard editorial style based on the Chicago Manual of Style, Modern Language Association (MLA) Style, OR Scientific Style and Format.
• Comfortable or familiar with computer systems, digital tools, and information management.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous experience in technical, engineering, scientific agency, company, or firm.
• Experience in preparing qualifications packages and in publishing project proposals and annual, interim, and final reports on environmental or coastal topics, natural resources topics, and/or engineering design.
• Proficient in word processing operations, publications software, Adobe Suite products such as Photoshop, Light Room, NDesign.  
• Experience in website and social media management.

Required Documents

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• List of References and current contact information
• Sample publications*

* Please be prepared to bring or provide samples of publications in which the applicant has had direct involvement (eg, typing, editing, formatting, and/or completing to final product).  Samples should show the ability to work with large, complex documents.

Salary negotiable based on ability and experience. CSE offers an excellent employee benefits package, including paid time off, employee-match IRA, and profit sharing. Some lifting over 40 lbs may be needed. 

Send the above-required documents confidentially to ATTN:  Libby Marcum, Business Manager, 160 Gills Creek Parkway, Columbia, SC 29209, OR lmarcum@coastalscience.com.  No phone calls, please.