Writing for the Web: Agencies & Roles Page | Kelsey Leljedal

The need

HHS, one of the largest federal agencies, sought to update their Careers site to help applicants understand where they might work through detailed descriptions of all of their divisions.
The original page contained dense text blocks without clear headings.
The challenge: Retain extensive content about HHS while improving scannability and encouraging users to search for jobs.

Applied web writing best practices for readability.
- For example, incorporated lists, bolding, and accessible headings.
Simplified the government jargon to plain language.
- For example, relabeled “staff divisions” as “offices” and “operating divisions” as “agencies.”

Aligned content with the site’s voice and tone by incorporating first-person pronouns.
- For example, revised “The CDC works 24/7 to protect America” to “We work 24/7 to protect America” to create a more personal tone.

A refreshed about page featuring scannable lists and accordions describing HHS offices and agencies.
Matched Heading 1 text to page title text for consistency and to meet users’ expectations.
Differentiated the HHS staff divisions from the operating divisions with descriptions for all 30.
Standardized the template for every HHS office and agency that included their location, what they do, and featured jobs.
Improved job search process.
- For example, added a clear call-to-action to “Search jobs at HHS” and provided instructions on filtering by agency.