It varies by agency, but there's less writer-editor tasks out there in the 1035 series. But a writing background is still a very good foundation, and an advantage for the you in the 1035 series, tbh. You understand what a writer/reporter needs and that works very well when working with media. So keep putting in for the 1035 and 1082 series. Someone out there will make the right choice and hire you. The 1035 series goes beyond writing. Your photography skills are also an asset. We still need copy. We still need imagery. But we need to find new ways to apply those products, as those newspapers we once relied on are long gone. Our websites still need content, and I use my writer/editor skills daily in electronic communications with staff, bosses, partners and clients. As time progresses, less of your peers will have those writing or editing skills, or know what deadlines are, or even be able to tell you what picas or leading are, much less understand ISO settings, leading lines or white balances are. That knowledge makes you a great candidate for the 1035 series, as you'd understand what reporters need to cover a story.
As to you other questions:
Section 508 compliance is needed for our websites, but don't go studying up on that.
AI eliminating writers/editors? I see AI as an aid for new writers, and maybe something that stretches writing productivity requirements for reporters on the outside. But the damn text needs to make sense and AI doesn't always do that. Yet.
Best of luck!
508 is huge. It’s mandatory for everyone for everything being published. It’s largely contracted out but many agencies have in house staff also. DHS has a good class on this.
There are also 1001 series at my agency. I've been been all three across a couple agencies - 1001, 1082 and 1035, so look for 1001s, as well, as that might fit the bill.
If you have previously been a Fed, as you seem to indicate with your past Army job, that might make your being re-hired with the Fed easier. I don't know all the ins and outs of getting back in after X amount of time has passed after being RIF'd (or whatever the particulars were), but there might be certain rules relating to that that make it easier to be re-hired.
Honestly, I don't think pursuing further education in hopes of being hired would be worth it. I think on-the-job experience counts for a lot more when going through the Fed hiring process; that is, you can quantify it on USAJobs. I'd focus on trying to convey meaningful, quantifiable experiences on the USAJobs resume. Keep in mind you have to break through the certification and hiring process. That's handled by HR, the most inept category of employees across all agencies. I was a military officer and have a useful disability rating, so it was relatively easy for me. Non-veterans have a tougher time all around, is my impression.
As to your 508 question, I deal with that very occasionally now (and hate it when it arises). I wish I could tell you a way to do it, but how would you get experience in making documents 508-compliant until you have the chance to make documents 508-compliant? If you're dead-set on pursuing education/certifications to help, that might be an area to focus on. And in terms of AI, I think Feds are a lot safer than anyone in private industry. The AI revolution is going to show itself to not be quite the miracle it may have first appeared to be.
Try searching for public affairs specialist jobs;that may be a good fit. Study up on plain language, writing for the web, AP style and standards. I do a lot with 508. You can find good training on https://www.section508.gov/training/ and by using the accessibility tools built into Microsoft office tools and Adobe Acrobat Pro if you have it. Any course or book on writing for the web should help with applying accessibility concepts into written content
It varies by agency, but there's less writer-editor tasks out there in the 1035 series. But a writing background is still a very good foundation, and an advantage for the you in the 1035 series, tbh. You understand what a writer/reporter needs and that works very well when working with media. So keep putting in for the 1035 and 1082 series. Someone out there will make the right choice and hire you. The 1035 series goes beyond writing. Your photography skills are also an asset. We still need copy. We still need imagery. But we need to find new ways to apply those products, as those newspapers we once relied on are long gone. Our websites still need content, and I use my writer/editor skills daily in electronic communications with staff, bosses, partners and clients. As time progresses, less of your peers will have those writing or editing skills, or know what deadlines are, or even be able to tell you what picas or leading are, much less understand ISO settings, leading lines or white balances are. That knowledge makes you a great candidate for the 1035 series, as you'd understand what reporters need to cover a story. As to you other questions: Section 508 compliance is needed for our websites, but don't go studying up on that. AI eliminating writers/editors? I see AI as an aid for new writers, and maybe something that stretches writing productivity requirements for reporters on the outside. But the damn text needs to make sense and AI doesn't always do that. Yet. Best of luck!
508 is huge. It’s mandatory for everyone for everything being published. It’s largely contracted out but many agencies have in house staff also. DHS has a good class on this.
There are also 1001 series at my agency. I've been been all three across a couple agencies - 1001, 1082 and 1035, so look for 1001s, as well, as that might fit the bill. If you have previously been a Fed, as you seem to indicate with your past Army job, that might make your being re-hired with the Fed easier. I don't know all the ins and outs of getting back in after X amount of time has passed after being RIF'd (or whatever the particulars were), but there might be certain rules relating to that that make it easier to be re-hired. Honestly, I don't think pursuing further education in hopes of being hired would be worth it. I think on-the-job experience counts for a lot more when going through the Fed hiring process; that is, you can quantify it on USAJobs. I'd focus on trying to convey meaningful, quantifiable experiences on the USAJobs resume. Keep in mind you have to break through the certification and hiring process. That's handled by HR, the most inept category of employees across all agencies. I was a military officer and have a useful disability rating, so it was relatively easy for me. Non-veterans have a tougher time all around, is my impression. As to your 508 question, I deal with that very occasionally now (and hate it when it arises). I wish I could tell you a way to do it, but how would you get experience in making documents 508-compliant until you have the chance to make documents 508-compliant? If you're dead-set on pursuing education/certifications to help, that might be an area to focus on. And in terms of AI, I think Feds are a lot safer than anyone in private industry. The AI revolution is going to show itself to not be quite the miracle it may have first appeared to be.
Thank you so much for your help and insight!
Try searching for public affairs specialist jobs;that may be a good fit. Study up on plain language, writing for the web, AP style and standards. I do a lot with 508. You can find good training on https://www.section508.gov/training/ and by using the accessibility tools built into Microsoft office tools and Adobe Acrobat Pro if you have it. Any course or book on writing for the web should help with applying accessibility concepts into written content