Summary

I am an experienced technical writer seeking full or part time work in developing customer-facing documents for both end users and administrators. With over 20 years experience in technical writing, I have developed expertise in applying the principles of:

• User-centered interface design Information Mapping
• Instructional Systems Design ISD Performance-Based Training PBT
• Section 508 compliance standards applied to MS Word and PDF documentation
• Some of my documentation noted in this resume has received awards from the Washington DC chapter of the Society for Technical Communication.

Experience

Technical Writer/Editor

Confidential

In my current full time position for a project with the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services under the US Dept of HHS, I edit and peer review deliverables and check for compliance with Section 508 standards. Accomplishments include the development of two implementation guides and collaboration in developing lunch-and-learn PowerPoint presentations. Topics included writing in plain language, copying and pasting content to avoid introducing corrupt styles, and using correct grammar and punctuation.

Confidential

On a short-term contract for a project with the Social Security Administration, I edited technical documentation such as functional specifications. The contract ended unexpectedly due to a reduction in project funding.

Confidential

On a six-month contract, I developed user guides on new software to store research on the National Children's Health Study for the National Institutes of Health. Major accomplishments were:

• Developed three user manuals totaling 200 pages in length in 6 months
• Applied Section 508 compliance standards to MS Word files and PDFs to pass certification

Technical Writer/Editor

Confidential

On a subcontract, I revamped and reformatted project documentation for InterAct911 on a contract with Maryland state agencies to customize and update their emergency response systems.

Technical Writer

Confidential

On a contract with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for work on their electronic medical records system, I updated and rewrote user guides, patch descriptions, and other customer-facing documentation within deadlines. Major accomplishments were:

• Rewrote in collaboration with developers and analysts a user manual for VA hospital sites using the principles of task-oriented workflows and Information Mapping structure
• Developed a new user manual for administrators from test documents
• Applied Section 508 compliance standards to MS Word files and PDFs

Technical Writer

Confidential

On a one-year contract in the nuclear energy division of Shaw, I reformatted and revamped engineering user guides, administrator guides, training guides, test plans, and graphics. Major accomplishments were:

• Modernized user manuals by applying task-oriented workflows to improve readability
• Applied the principles of Information Mapping to organize topics for skimming and scanning capability
• Used a minimalist approach in writing to reduce and simplify verbiage to save costs in case document translation became necessary

Senior Documentation Specialist

Confidential

In the plant processing CAD division of Bentley, I developed product documentation in the form of user guides, administrator guides, tutorial workbooks, online help, and course guides for end users and administrators. Major accomplishments were:

• Converted technical information such as functional specs into clear, concise text as a single source for product guides, tutorials, courseware, and online help, thereby increasing efficiency
• Rewrote wording for translation/localization for international clientele, resulting in 1 reduced costs by eliminating the use of synonyms and wordiness 2 removal of culturally biased language, slang, and programmer speak
• Designed courseware using ISD and PBT principles based on task-oriented workflows of clientele
• Reviewed graphical user interfaces for usability based on user-centered design principles

Senior Courseware Developer

Confidential

In collaboration with application engineers, I developed courseware for high-level learners such as application developers and network administrators for applications such as Delphi Client/Server and Oracle Workgroup Server. Major accomplishments were:

• Developed training manuals using ISD and PBT principles
• In collaboration with a senior application developer, developed a custom workgroup server course onsite at the Oracle Corporation, Redwood City, CA.
• Rewrote wording for translation/localization for international clientele

Technical Writer/Editor

Confidential

Under contract to IBM Corporation, I documented their online messaging system, tested online help panels, and performed substantive edits on API guides, administrator guides, and user guides.

Technical Writer/Training Developer

Confidential

I updated existing user and training documents and developed new documents for the EDS-TOPPS software for HMOs. Major accomplishments were:

• Rewrote and modernized the entire end user documentation including over sixty manuals and guides
• Developed courseware based on ISD principles
• Set up a documentation library where none existed

Senior Training Developer and Trainer

Confidential

Department of Defense contract, I participated in benchmark and usability testing, documented military hospital quality assurance applications, and trained hospital staff. Major accomplishments were:

• Developed courseware using ISD principles
• In Okinawa, Japan, trained Pacific-area military hospital staff on patient admission and discharge processing
• Demonstrated the applications at U.S. Department of Defense regional conferences

Software Skills