Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To coordinate and provide English and French language writing, editing, translation and proofreading services in preparation for the printing and production of assessment and related publications for the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO).

Duties / Responsibilities :

1. Conducting research required for the final preparation, editing and printing of assessment and related materials, by identifying sources of information, collecting and compiling data, verifying and checking authenticity and accuracy of information with appropriate ministry officials/external sources.

2. Providing detailed editing of French and English language assessment materials and public relations communications to ensure consistency of quality, appearance, graphics and editorial style prior to publication. Reviews content for adherence to EQAO standards and policies, compliance with government policy on plain language, and consistency with other project materials. Identifies content issues and drafts recommended additions/amendments including translating technical/academic material into plain language while maintaining accuracy. Ensures that content and style meets the requirements of intended reader audiences.

3. Providing writing and editorial services for EQAO internal/external publications in both English and French (e.g. newsletters, pamphlets, brochures) by writing, editing, translating, and proof-reading articles/submissions, and ensuring text uses plain language and reflects tone/style appropriate to agreed upon communication objectives.

4. Contributing to EQAO editorial policy and writing/style standards by researching use of new terminology and recommending guidelines for use in EQAO assessment and communication materials.

5. Providing leadership for the development of writing style guides and editorial standards related to style, grammar, clarity, consistency and audience suitability for EQAO documents and publications.

6. Participating in the selection of vendors for inclusion on the standards vendors' list, including developing specifications for RFP's and selection criteria, participating in selection interviews; researching, analyzing and recommending business practices and continuous improvements to ensure that writing and editing projects meet EQAO standards.

7. Conducting independent projects as assigned by the Manager, and/or participating on special EQAO project teams.

Staffing and Licencing :

Requirement for verbal and written French language skills at the superior level.

Knowledge :

The job requires:
• thorough knowledge of data/information research practices/methods to conduct research for EQAO publications (corporate and assessment materials), identify sources of information, compile information, and verify and check authenticity of information.
• EQAO's mandate, objectives, programs and activities, business deliverables and priorities to understand the content of corporate and assessment materials in order to write and edit materials.
• English and French grammar, spelling, vocabulary and punctuation to write and edit materials; proofread, revise and finalize documents, and translate detailed and scientific material into plain language while maintaining accuracy.
• writing and editing methods and practices related to academic materials, techniques for the organization of text, layout design, and writing styles to edit text for English and French language usage, and to ensure consistency and accuracy of published materials.
• computer equipment and related word processing, data base, and presentation software to ensure consistency and accuracy of presentation and to amend materials as necessary.

Skills :

The job requires:
• analytical skills to review documents and determine the accuracy and quality of content (e.g. format, language, consistency) and to ensure compliance with established standards and procedures.
• evaluative skills to assess the style, approach and tone for written materials to achieve appropriate communication for the identified audience, and to assess the design, format, layout, and artwork of publications to ensure design concepts for materials meet assessment business requirements.
• analytical skills to review final copy to ensure the language and graphics used are consistent with copyright approvals.
• reasoning skills to research copyright requirements, layout designs, editorial practices and French/English translation requirements.
• analytical and business relationship skills to liaise with external production services and internal clients, monitor processes and resolve problems (e.g. production delays, changes in client requirements).
• problem solving skills to identify printing issues and to develop and implement appropriate solutions.
• written communication skills to compose, amend, edit and update assessment and related documents before publication.
• oral communication skills to consult with management and staff on publication content, presentation issues and copyright permission requirements, and discuss/clarify information and nature of issues with ministry staff when conducting research for written materials.
• precision in written language to review, identify and edit very specific items of text to ensure accuracy and consistency with copyright permission.

Freedom of Action :

The job requires working within government/EQAO policies, guidelines and directives related to the management of government external communication and within recognized writing/editing principles and publication production practices and standards. The position requires making decisions by: assessing accuracy/suitability of content of assessment materials for intended audiences; developing text in plain language; determining accuracy of layout, design, content and graphics; incorporating editorial conventions (vocabulary, spelling, grammar) to ensure accuracy and consistency of publications; resolving writing style and consistency issues with staff or external writers; and resolving publication printing issues. Work is monitored through meetings with the Manager, Production to review project progress.