Long-Term Technical Writer Needed for Industry Guide Development

The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) invites qualified individuals to submit proposals to serve as the Technical Writer of the upcoming Guide for Plant Appraisal, 11th Edition.

The Guide for Plant Appraisal is an industry reference for guidance to professionals conducting tree and plant appraisals in the United States with a +/- 100-year history of use and progression. This publication, or parts of it, have been referenced or specified in legal cases and for municipal codes, and it is considered a primary reference for this industry, with wide use by arborists, urban foresters, landscape appraisers, foresters, landscape architects, and legal professionals.

2. Project Overview

The selected Technical Writer will:

●Collaborate closely with a consensus committee of subject-matter experts, which is the CTLA CRC (CTLA Content Review Committee).

● Use the information provided by the CTLA CRC, including from their review of public and professional comments for the 10th Edition, as the content for writing this 11th Edition.

● Lead the drafting of the 11th Edition using format, grammar, and style and current technical writing standards and best practices to ensure technical accuracy, clarity, and consistency.

● Consolidate diverse CTLA CRC inputs into a coherent, cohesive, and singular narrative voice.

● Assist in identifying, conceptualizing, and/or developing graphics, visual aids, tables, and/or figures to emphasize and elucidate key learning objectives for this document.

● Lead the content and review gathering process, provide iterative drafts for CTLA CRC review, and provide both feedback and reasoned answers regarding edits and revisions provided by the CTLA CRC.

● Communicate and report on a regular basis with ISA as the publisher and hiring organization.

3. Scope of Work

Key responsibilities include:

● Review of the 9th Edition and 10th Edition and accompanying public comments, and other documents as determined by the CRC .

● Participation in virtual and hybrid in-person CRC meetings.

o Estimated commitment: Two-hour virtual call every other month. Two-day in-person meeting twice per year.

o In-person meetings have a physical location, but the selected Technical Writer is only required to attend virtually via hybrid meeting software such as Zoom, Teams, etc.

● Leading the content development and revision of manuscript sections with CRC guidance and feedback.

● Ensuring consistency of tone, style, Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level, and scientific rigor.

● Preparing the manuscript for production: editing the draft manuscript after CRC review for language accuracy and intent; adhering to editorial and formatting standards.

Estimated timeline with Technical Writer engagement:

• Present to November 2028: CTLA CRC manuscript draft development.

o Technical Writer engages throughout this process.

• November 2028 to November 2029: Iterative public comments on draft and manuscript revision based on comments.

o Technical Writer engages on manuscript revision in this process.

• November 2029 to November 2030: Manuscript in production with publisher.

o Technical Writer may be asked to engage on incorporation of changes resulting from copyediting queries or proofs review.

4. Qualifications

The skills and experience and abilities we seek are focused on:

● Demonstrated experience writing or editing industry standards (for professional organizations and/or government agencies, and interpreting and expanding on them in educational publications), industry-guidance level documents, or similar scientific or technical publications at nationwide or international levels (not just intrastate regional or state level standards and publications).

● Experience working with committees of subject matter experts or multi-author groups, as the primary writer/author or a writer/author of publications for professional organizations.

● Familiarity with economics and/or natural resource management is encouraged but is not a requirement.

● Strong ability to translate complex technical content into clear prose that is useful for professionals at an expert level and for entry-level practitioners in an industry.

● Proven organizational and communication skills.

5. Proposal Requirements

Proposal documents shall be:

● Cover letter expressing interest and suitability.

● Resume or CV highlighting relevant experience.

● Brief narrative (2 pages max.) detailing approach to writing a technical reference publication as a writer for groups and/or committees of professional industry organizations or similar.

● Two published examples written by you as primary writer (or author), or as part of a team of writers (or authors) that are scientific or technical publications.

● Estimated budget and hourly/daily rate (or fixed project fee).

● Names and contact information of at least two professional references.

6. Proposal Submission

Submit proposals via email with pdf attached documents by June 1, 2026 to:

Finalists may be asked to participate in one or more interviews as part of the selection process.

Apply tot his job

Apply To this Job