Technical Writer/Editor/Instructional Designer Resume

Title
Technical Writer/Editor/Instructional Designer

Primary Skills
Framemaker, Office, writing, editing

Location
US-CA-Carlsbad

Posted
Dec-19-08

SUMMARY
• Experienced writer, editor, instructional designer, and project manager of technical documents targeted to engineering, military, manufacturing IT support, marketing, and retail product audiences. Researches, develops, writes, proofreads, edits, releases and maintains products; i.e., manuals, curriculum, booklets, spec. sheets, reference manuals, bulletins, tech notes/articles, addenda, help, Web content, etc.

• Creates, revises and maintains documents throughout design, development, testing, release, and maintenance phases. Interfaces successfully with localization partners for translation and print vendors for hard-copy production. Uses configuration and content management systems, including Agile and ClearCase.

• Successful track record completing multiple projects concurrently with a minimum of supervision. Ability to interact and communicate productively with others at all levels to test product, research design, develop, review and publish electronic and printed documents.

• Expert user of XML, ISD process, , HTML, and web scripting codes. Expert user of Microsoft Word, Adobe FrameMaker (Structured and Unstructured), RoboHelp, Acrobat, and Dreamweaver. Skilled user of Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Visio; Trivantis Lectora; and raster- and vector-graphics editing software, including Adobe PhotoShop and Illustrator, and Corel PaintShop Pro. Familiarity with Epic Editor/ArborText, XML Spy, XMeTaL, and other structured authoring programs

PROCESS KNOWLEDGE
XML, DITA, SCORM, ADDIE ISO 9001, CMMI Level 5, GCCS/COE, ISO 9000, MIL--STD--2167A, MIL--STD--498, MIL--HDBK--1221, MIL--DTL--87929, MIL--M--38784, SPAWARINST 4160.3A, 21 CFR Part 11, OSHA

CLEARANCE
Secret (active 2005--2006)

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Contract Technical Writer
San Diego, CA
2006 -- Present

L--3 Communications, Inc.
Eastman Kodak Corp.
BakBone Software, Inc.
Brendan Technologies, Inc.
Kyocera Wireless Corp.
Science Applications International Corp.

• Designs, writes, edits, and maintains training curricula, hardware and software user guides, installation, configuration, and system administration manuals, Help, reference manuals, readme documents, release notes, etc.

• Designed and structured style guides and glossaries for single sourcing, localization and update considerations.

• Consults with developers and engineers on user interface layout and usability. Revises documents efficiently to reflect product updates, improved functionality, and evolving customer requirements.

• Migrated legacy documentation by converting unstructured Framemaker and Word manuals to structured XML documents using DITA architecture in order to reduce localization and maintenance costs.

• Created and maintained style guide, documentation review templates for quality assurance in compliance with ISO--9001, 21 CFR Part 11 FDA guidelines, etc.

• Collaborates with documentation team and customers to design and implement improved publications process flow to standardize and maintain style guidelines, shorten document cycle and minimize rework.

Northrop Grumman Corporation
San Diego, CA
2004 -- 2006
Senior Technical Writer

• Produced software user guides, system administration manuals, installation and configuration procedure manuals, tutorials, release notes, and Web--based Help for Department of Defense Joint Effects Model (JEM) program.

• Created style guide, documentation review templates for quality assurance in compliance with ISO--9001, CMMI Level 5, COE--GCCS, and Department of Defense Standards.

Accelrys, Inc.
San Diego, CA
2001 -- 2004
Senior Technical Writer

• Produced instructional user guides, tutorials, release notes, and multi--platform Help for biotechnology software products.

• Created first online, server--side customer satisfaction survey in the corporation to measure utility and effectiveness of software documentation. Data collection and interpretation is ongoing and influences documentation content, structure, and style.

• Improved quality and usability of user guides, installation manuals, and online help by increasing size and depth of indexes by 30 to 50%.

Independent Contractor -- Freelance Writer
1998 -- Present
Instructional Designer, Writer/Editor

• Writes feature and investigative articles for educational publishers, trade magazines, and Web sites under tight deadlines and with minimal editing. Writing emphasizes business, employment, career development, disability, health care, and related issues.

• Designed, wrote, and taught a wide range of training curricula for government, higher education, healthcare, human services, and corporate consulting industries using principles of Instructional System Design (ISD). Curriculum design and revision based on state and federal environmental requirements. Provided administrative and technical support for a Learning Management System (LMS).

• Designed LAN--delivered online training program that reduced training time by 60% and allowed personnel to demonstrate competency without time away from work.

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS
Document Production Skills:
Research, Storyboard, Design, Proofreading, Structured Authoring (XML, DITA, EDD, DTD) Writing, Editing, Layout, Indexing

Operating System Experience:
Windows; Macintosh. Familiar with Unix and Linux

Software Skills:
Adobe products (Acrobat, Dreamweaver, Fireworks, Flash, FrameMaker, Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, RoboHelp); Microsoft products (Access, Excel, Help Workshop, Outlook, PowerPoint, Project, SQL, Visio, Windows, Word), Oracle 7, 8, 9, TechSmith SnagIt Camstasia Studio, SnagIt; Trivantis Lectora, others.

Product Types Written, Edited, and Formatted:
Academic Articles, Advertising, Books, Brochures, Classroom Instruction, Computer--Based Training, Curriculum, Documentation Plans, Feature Articles, Glossaries, Grant Applications, Indexes, Installation and Configuration Procedures, Job Descriptions, Marketing, Newsletters, Online Help, Procedures, ReadMe Notes, Release Notes, Reports, Résumés, Specifications, Speeches, Style Guides, System Administration manuals, Tests, Training Materials, Training Plans, User Manuals, Web Content, Web Layouts

Training and Instructional Design Skills:
Course Evaluation, Self--Paced Instruction, Instructional Design, Subject Matter Expert Coordination, Computer--Based Training (Storyboard, Screens, Scripting), Training Material Design, Performance--Based Instruction, Training Needs Analysis

Business Skills:
Needs Analysis, Consultation, Customer Service, Project Management, Training, Supervision, Evaluation, Scheduling, Budgeting, Coaching

EDUCATION
M.S. -- The University of Arizona -- Tucson, Arizona
B.A. -- University of California -- Irvine, California, cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa

OTHER CONTINUING EDUCATION
Documentation Software:
RoboHelp, FrameMaker, Lectora, Microsoft Office

Instructional Design and Training Methods:
Instructional Design, Training Needs Analysis and Evaluation, Computer--Based Training (CBT) Authoring, Training Project Management, Training Liability Issues

Other Topics:
Federal records management, Environmental compliance, and Health and safety topics

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Publications include:
• Retailing Career Starter. New York, LearningExpress, LLC. 1998.
• Feature articles for trade magazines, trade newsletters, and Web sites.

Clientele include:
• AirFiber, Inc. (San Diego, CA)
• American PrintWare, Inc. (San Juan Capistrano, CA)
• LearningExpress, LLC (New York, NY)
• Miller Brewing Co. (Milwaukee, WI)
• Monster.com (Maynard, MA)
• Oracle Corporation (Redwood Shores, CA)
• Salk Institute for Biological Studies (La Jolla, CA)
• Technical Standards, Inc. (San Marcos, CA)
• Tramp Steamer Media, LLC (Trenton, NJ)
• Washington Information Source Co. (Germantown, MD)

Bibliography, writing and project samples, and references are available upon request.

Certifications
See above


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