Technical and Content Writer / Editor

          Print / Online Desktop Publisher

               Documentation Consultant

Vocational Background / Work History

Wordtech services is the bridge between...

               the unknown to the known,
                    the complicated to the simple.
                         and confusion to understanding.

Summary

Technical communicator seeking opportunity to utilize extensive skill set of technical writing, editing, and desktop (on-line and print) publishing. Proficient and experienced in the design, development, and implementation of technical writing and desktop publishing practices.

Areas of expertise include computer software / hardware documentation, reference / operations manuals, catalogs, and newsletters.

Professional Experience

Technical Communicator
Advantage Technical Resources
SPX Valley Forge
Houston, Texas
2009-Present 

  • Contract technical communicator tasked to write, edit, and desktop publish print and online help software and hardware documentation for clients in the Houston area including ExxonMobil, Halliburton, Sercel, WesternGeco, and Worley-Parson.

  • Re-wrote, edited, and desktop published outdated user manual describing the disassembly and reassembly of highly specialized equipment. Applied new style sheet and incorporated graphics to help technicians understand material.

  • Provided timely expertise to write and desktop publish cement slurry test operations manual. Project was floundering and behind schedule, so consulting company requested my intervention. Successfully completed work assignment on time and to client satisfaction.

Senior Technical Communicator
Baker Atlas (subsidiary of Baker Hughes)
Houston, Texas
2000-2009

  • Collaborated with subject matter experts (SMEs) to write, edit, and desktop publish print (PDF) documen-tation and on-line help for Advantage, a Windows-based software suite with over 200 programs, each with separate documentation.

  • Interacted with subject matter experts to write, edit, and desktop publish print (PDF) documentation and on-line help for Wokflow Manager, a Windows-based software suite with over 250 programs, each with separate documentation.

  • Baker Atlas recognized contribution of user and reference documentation and on-line help to Workflow Manager with Certification of Merit.

  • Collaborated with subject matter experts (SMEs) to write, edit, and desktop publish print (PDF) documen-tation and on-line help for Advantage, a Windows-based software containing over 200 programs.

  • Designed and implemented writing and desktop publishing standards for all facets, print (PDF) and on-line, of documentation for Workflow Manager, including written and visual presentation.

  • Researched, developed, and implemented style sheets and publishing standards for FrameMaker, RoboHelp, and Flare to obtain consistent output for print (PDF) documentation and on-line help.

  • Worked closely with SMEs to write, edit, and desktop publish print (PDF) documentation for eXpress, a Windows NT- and UNIX-based software suite with over 300 programs, each with separate documentation.

  • Baker Atlas recognized contribution of user and reference documentation to eXpress with Certification of Merit.

  • Initiated and implemented department purchase of two software packages for documentation. Researched, reviewed, and recommended RoboHelp and Flare to write and produce on-line help systems. Self-taught software and provided instruction to other team members on individual basis and in small groups.

  • Served as informal technical adviser to help in-house users of FrameMaker, RoboHelp, and Flare software packages as well as technical writing issues.

Technical Communicator
Kitba Consulting / CAC Inc.
Houston, Texas
1998-2000

  • Contract technical writer tasked to write, edit, and desktop publish software / hardware documentation for clients in the Houston area including GeoQuest and CAC.

  • Defined and established desktop publishing methodology for company hardware and software manuals. The assignment included writing, editing, and desktop publishing user and reference manuals.

  • CAC recognized contribution of technical writing, editing, and desktop publishing of hardware and software documentation with Outstanding Performance Certificate.

Publications / Documentation Coordinator
Stanco Plumbing Specialties Co.
Houston, Texas
1996-1998

  • Increased sales and customer satisfaction by improving readability of 2,400 page catalog distributed to salesmen and clients.

  • Successfully completed assignment to research and establish publishing standards for parts catalog manual including fonts, spacing, sizing, format, headers and footers, and overall presentation of material.

  • Produced company newsletter containing promotional material, sales articles, and advertisements designed for staff and clients. Developed all aspects of publication and received compliments from management, sales staff, and customers.

Documentation Specialist
Setpoint, Inc.
Houston, Texas
1991-1995

  • Interacted with subject matter experts to research, write, edit, format, and desktop publish user and reference documentation for high-level multi-application Windows and UNIX software packages.

  • Created, designed, and produced corporate newsletter which was distributed worldwide to over 2,000 clients and employees.

  • Produced corporate newsletter published quarterly for employees and customers. Using desktop publishing software, applied grid methodology to determine header and body fonts, white space, and overall presentation of publication. Newsletter recognized by Society of Technical Communicators (STC).

Computer / Software

FrameMaker, RoboHelp, Flare, Word, Acrobat Professional, Captivate, SnagIt, Freehand, Photoshop, Visio, Expressions, HTML, PC, Windows, UNIX, DOS, ClearCase, and Sharepoint.

Education

Bachelor of Arts
Journalism and Religion
Baylor University
Waco, Texas