February Council meeting will be Tuesday, February 7th at 6:00 p.m. at Home Depot. Please RSVP so I can alert security to let you in. We will provide refreshments/light dinner.

• Develop overall documentation strategy for new and existing products and services based on business objectives, customer research, and usability testing
• Create and maintain an information products development plan, including tasks, deliverables, and milestones
• Design and create documentation, consisting of manuals, on-line help, quick reference guides, training material, and other information products as needed
• Participate in integration testing in order to verify the accuracy of documentation with respect to the released product
• Oversee final production of the documentation
• Define and document best practices and standards for the development of technical documentation at Brickstream

STC Atlanta 2012 elections are now underway. Go to STC Atlanta elections poll to cast your vote. Hurry! Go vote now, because the poll will close January 30th. We will announce the new STC executive council on February 1st. Contact Jen Collier with any questions.

Bachelor of Science, Arts or Business degree with knowledge of engineering or science.

Experience

Minimum of three years experience writing end user manuals for both technical and general audiences in an engineering or manufacturing company. Previous experience as a technical writer in food, beverage or consumer products packaging and processing a plus. Must have knowledge of adult learning theory and its use in developing documentation. Must be computer literate and have excellent writing abilities and experience in using various documentation and publishing tools like MS Office, Adobe products and Visio. Must possess ability to understand technical jargon and the use of it in documentation. Must be good communicator. Must manage multiple projects with minimal supervision. Experience with the use of the Internet required. Ability to read blueprints and make hand sketches preferred. Experience with 3D design or CAD is a plus. Previous experience writing content for sales and marketing material highly preferred.

Duties

This position will support and report administratively to the Training Manager, and to a Sr. Technical Writer or Project Lead as necessary. The Technical Writer’s duties include but are not limited to:

• Perform job task analysis, gap analysis and needs assessments, course design and course development
• Develop instructor and student materials for operator, maintenance and other technical staff for equipment and system manuals for the food, beverage and consumer goods product industries
• Develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and troubleshooting guides
• Assist with sales and marketing brochures, promotional materials, SOPs, and troubleshooting guides
• Assist with documentation of company technical standards and creation of templates for common purposes
• Assist with the development of technical and non-technical presentations and in writing proposals
• Develop electrical, mechanical and machine technical specifications
• Deliver/facilitate training
• Assist all levels of the organization with the development and publishing of documents

Characteristics

The candidate must have good personal habits, be able to compose and pleasantly interview engineers to effectively collect pertinent data. Must be able to stay on task and complete work on schedule, to work independently as well as on a team and finally, in every effort, promote the principles and professionalism of Polytron.

Candidates – submit your resume to pbaldwin@polytron.com

The application of technical communication skills to the development of software user assistance has grown immensely in the past twenty years. This specialization is very fulfilling and challenging and technical communicators are finding their role in the software development process to be increasingly valued. User assistance is much more than “Help.” It encompasses a wide range of skills and technologies that are combined to improve the software user’s experience.

Many of us are now embedding helpful content directly into the user interface. We are involved with usability testing, localization, testing, quality assurance, and branding. This presentation provides a cutting-edge overview of the latest trends in software user assistance, defines the key terminology, highlights the most important technologies, and offers predictions on future directions of our field. The seventy-five minute session should be of interest to technical communicators of all backgrounds and experience levels.

Joe Welinske is the president of WritersUA.
WritersUA is a company devoted to providing training and information for user assistance professionals. The WritersUA/WinWriters Conference draws hundreds of attendees each year from around the world to share the latest in user assistance design and implementation. The free content on the WritersUA web site attracts over 20,000 visitors each month. Joe has been involved with software documentation development since 1984. Together with Scott Boggan and David Farkas, Joe authored two editions of the popular and pioneering book Developing Online Help for Windows. He has also taught online Help courses at the University of Washington, UC Santa Cruz, and Bellevue Community College. Joe received a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from the University of Illinois in 1981, and a M.S. in Adult Instructional Management from Loyola University in 1987.

There are three open elected positions and several non-elected volunteer positions currently open. These are the elected positions:

• President
• Vice President
• Secretary

Anyone interested in running for one of these positions should submit a Statement of Purpose and brief bio by January 20th. Descriptions of each position can be found below.

We’ll announce the new officers February 1st. Please send your nomination to Jen Collier.

As for the other positions there is no deadline to volunteer but we encourage you to get involved at the beginning of the year because that is the time for planning the upcoming year. If you have questions about any of the positions, you can email Jen Collier. Also, we’ll have council members at our chapter meeting on January 19th ready to answer your questions.

Job Description:
Summary: Responsible for performing usability testing with clients on documentation and utilizing feedback to improve documentation and standards. Selects the appropriate media and distribution methods, develops communications that persuade and influence Client audience.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
• Assesses and tests application screens within the application environment. Uses fact-finding techniques and analytic tools to identify problems.
• Writes a variety of technical articles, reports, brochures, and/or manuals for documentation for a wide range of uses. Tailors level and detail of communication appropriately to meet needs of audience. Revises existing material to incorporate tech writing experience.
• Coordinates the display of graphics and the production of the document. Edits documentation projects for formatting and style standards.
• Demonstrates well-developed writing skills, including the ability to write original material at a professional level using correct grammar and syntax.
• Produces comprehensive, professional documentation that requires the organization and presentation of research information obtained from different source.
• Develops communications that persuade and influence Client audience, prepares materials for presentation and gives oral presentations outside the department.
• Troubleshoots and effectively resolves difficult or unusual problems.
• Analyzes the impact of changes throughout the library.
• Provides direction and training to other in department.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Complexity of Work: Moderately routine; general policies applied. Some decision-making.
Education: Bachelor’s degree from a four year college or university in a related area or equivalent work experience.
Experience: 5-7 years experience in technical/business writing; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

SkillsSkills
*Either skills or additional skills are required Skills:CategoryNameRequiredExperience
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Additional Skills:Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
• Thorough knowledge of information mapping concepts
• Skill in investigation and analysis
• Skill in preparation of written material
• Skill in business communication and training
• Skill using application software/tools
• Skill in evaluation of documentation
• Skill in production and quality control
• Skill in publishing system operation
• Skill in understanding and focusing on the clients’ needs, establishing credibility and building relationships with clients
• Skill in editing writing for punctuation, syntax, and grammar
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, clients and public

Do you have a great background in Communication and Writing? Have you always thought the field of technical writing would be exciting? These two (2) opportunities are a great way to gain entry into an amazing company that offers career growth and long term opportunity!

In this role you will:

• Meet the information needs of clients and associates by producing technically accurate, clean, concise, and usable regional and client information
• Research, analyze, and write regional and client documentation in the appropriate medium, following all department standards and guidelines
• Write clear, concise and accurate technical documentation according to department standards

Technical/Professional Skills

• Understands and applies grammar rules
• Exposure to or basic understanding of publishing tools (e.g., Adobe RoboHelp and Adobe FrameMaker) would be a plus.
• Analytical skills
• Can-do attitude and willingness to assist others
• Strong oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to perform on a geographically distributed work team

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Technical Communications, Communications, English, Journalism, Computer Science, or equivalent in education and experience
• Up to 1 year of technical communication experience
• Working experience with information development and publishing tools (Adobe RoboHelp and Adobe FrameMaker) a plus
• Working experience developing documentation in different media (e.g., online help, on-screen text, FAQs, guides) a plus
• Knowledge of structured authoring/DITA a plus

About ADP

Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADP), with about $10 billion in revenues and about 570,000 clients, is one of the world’s largest providers of business outsourcing solutions. Leveraging over 60 years of experience, ADP offers a wide range of human resource, payroll, tax and benefits administration solutions from a single source. ADP’s easy-to-use solutions for employers provide superior value to companies of all types and sizes. ADP is also a leading provider of integrated computing solutions to auto, truck, motorcycle, marine, recreational vehicle, heavy manufacturing, and agricultural vehicle dealers throughout the world.

ADP is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer; M/F/D/V.  ADP believes that diversity leads to strength.

Interested and qualified? Please submit your qualifications and resume to debbi.kritzman@adp.com.

We have three open elected positions: President, Vice President, and Secretary.  Anyone interested in running for one of these positions should submit a statement of purpose (SOP) and brief bio by January 20th. Descriptions of each can be found below.  Elections take place January 23th – January 30th.  We’ll announce the winners at our chapter meeting on February 1st.  Please send your nomination(s) to Jen Collier.

We have other non-elected volunteer positions currently open too.  Please see those positions below.  There is no deadline to volunteer for these positions but we encourage you to get involved at the beginning of the year because that is the time for planning the upcoming year.

Elected Council Positions

President

Time Requirement: 10 to 15 hrs. per month

The chapter president heads the administrative council and is responsible for all operations of the chapter. The chapter president should be enthusiastic, energetic, responsive, and good at solving problems and resolving disputes. The president should also be gracious and a good listener. The Chapter President:

• conducts regular meetings of the administrative council (at least three to five meetings per year are recommended)
• assigns duties to other officers soon after their election
• suggests schedules for ongoing chapter programs—both within the Society and in collaboration with other professional groups
• explores topics for the coming year’s meetings with the program committee manager and other officers
• appoints special assistants or committees for specific tasks not easily managed by standing committees applies and maintains controls for budgets, expenditures, and other fiscal activities, and, together with the treasurer, signs all chapter checks
• leads the formulation of goals and policies for the chapter
• contacts committee managers periodically to obtain status/activity reports for submission to the chapter officers
• submits a report describing chapter activities to the director-sponsor before each STC board of directors meeting (a form for this purpose will be provided by the director-sponsor)
• submits frequent informal reports to apprise the director-sponsor of the general condition of the chapter

Vice President

Time Requirement: 10 to 15 hrs. per month

The Vice President oversees the professional development area of the chapter which includes Currents, competitions, and Awards and Recognition. The Vice President is strongly encouraged to run for Chapter President the following year. The Vice President:

• maintains a special awareness of all chapter operations and confers frequently with the chapter president, not only to advise and assist, but also to gain knowledge that could prove useful if the vice president becomes president
• helps formulate policy and establish the chapter’s long- and short-term goals
• monitors the chapter’s finances on a continuing basis
• assumes responsibility for regular meeting programs in some chapters (see the section, “Program Committee Manager’s Responsibilities,” in this chapter)
• assumes the duties of chapter president when the president is unavailable performs other duties as defined by the president

Secretary

Time Requirement: 5 to 7 hrs. per month

• Responsible for the chapter history and information.
• takes minutes at administrative council and other chapter meetings (or arranges for a substitute)
• prepares and distributes copies of meeting minutes to officers within ten days
• prepares correspondence related to chapter business at the direction of the chapter president

Open Non-elected Volunteer Positions

Programs/Events Manager

 Time Requirement: 5 to 15 hrs. per month

• Identifies topics and speakers for chapter programs with the help of your committee members
• Organizes programs for regular chapter meetings with the help of the committee members
• Advertises the meetings, usually through Constant Contact and the website
• Reports the status of chapter programs to the administrative council
• Develops a budget for chapter programs

Programs/Events Committee Volunteer

 Time Requirements:  1 to 5 hrs. per month

• Assists the program manager with planning, coordinating, and publicizing the chapter events.

Membership Manager

Time Requirement: Approx. 3 to 5 hrs. per month

• Works with the chapter Council to recruit new members to the STC and the Atlanta chapter
• Conducts a renewal campaign to convince members to renew each year
•  Sends new members a welcome letter with information about the STC and the chapter
• Answers membership questions as they arise
• Maintains an up-to-date list of chapter members
• Updates chapter members’ contact information for email blasts on chapter events

Public Relations Manager

Time Requirement: Approx. 3 hrs. per month

• Advertise STC Atlanta Chapter events and opportunities to the corporate community, STC members at large, the Society, and potential STC members in accordance with the marketing and/or public relations plan and established publicity procedures.

Student Liaison

Time Requirement: Approx. 3 hrs. per month

• Encourage student participation in the STC Atlanta Chapter, especially after graduation from student chapters; provide support and guidance to student chapters in Georgia and to the Region 3 student conference; manage the scholarship process.

Sponsorship Manager

Time Requirement: Approx. 5 hrs. per month

• Coordinates and solicit corporate sponsorship of STC Atlanta Chapter activities and events; manage any advertising provided by the chapter; and build the endowment for the scholarships and bookshelf programs.

Hospitality Manager

Time Requirement: 2 to 5 hr.  per month

• Coordinate all arrangements with facilities, food, and other meeting needs for the chapter meetings; manage the awards banquet; provide guidance to Currents committee and Special Interest Groups (SIG) managers about meeting facilities.

Nominating Committee

Time Requirement: Approx. 5 hrs. during election months (typically Jan. and Feb.)

• The nominating committee is responsible for selecting a slate of candidates, handling nominations by petition from members, and preparing the ballot in accordance with the Policies and Procedures.

General Volunteer

Time Requirement: At least 1 hour a month

• Anyone is welcome to volunteer. As a general volunteer, you are encouraged to attend the chapter council meetings where the chapter business is discussed. These meetings are typically once a month and can be conducted in person or virtually.

KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY:
Create and update user guides, technical manuals, online help, and other forms of documentation for a variety of target audiences.
Position will have broad control over the design and presentation of the materials within the general corporate format guidelines.
Create and enhance documentation for software products based on development functional and implementation specifications, pre-release software, customer feedback, and interviews with software developers, test engineers, product managers, and support representatives.
Create and/or source diagrams and graphics to supplement text and enhance the presentation of concepts.
Coordinate with product management and development managers to schedule writing assignments in order to meet project timelines; Work with product management to agree on the documentation deliverables appropriate for new products.
Assist in development and execution of Information Product plans for product programs.
Plan and execute multiple writing assignments or smaller programs or asynchronous deliveries.
Demonstrate strong analytical and organizational skills.
Become subject matter expert in assigned product area.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor’s Degree in technical writing/communications or technical discipline. (Note: technical writing/communications degree preferred.)
Minimum 2 years of technical writing experience creating user guides, technical programming manuals, online help, and other forms of technical documentation.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills Strong skills in Microsoft Word or FrameMaker

Please respond to this email agreeing to the below:

I am acknowledging the terms of the position as presented to me today. I authorize Abacus to submit me for this position. Additionally, I have agreed not to be submitted by another agency for the same position.

If at anytime I receive another offer for another position, I will inform Abacus immediately so that any concerned parties can have all information to make appropriate decisions about hiring me.

Thanks & Regards,

Asher Kumar
Recruiter
Abacus Service Corporation
Direct: 916 – 365 – 9036
Toll Free Number: (866) 402-2228 ext.224
Email: asher@abacusservice.com
Web Site: www.abacusservice.com