Documentation Specialist Jobs

Documentation Specialist
Gathers, analyzes, and composes technical information. Conducts research and ensures the use of proper technical terminology. Translates technical information into clear, readable documents to be used by technical and non-technical personnel. Supports the development of all types of documents and reports by developing and updating graphics presentations to improve the quality and enhance the usability of these documents. Responsible for integrating the graphics generated with automated tools and the deliverable documents.

Tasks:

• Conduct research and ensure the use of proper technical terminology.
• Organize material and complete writing assignment according to set standards regarding order, conciseness, style, and terminology.
• Edit functional descriptions, system specifications, user's manuals, special reports, or any other customer deliverables and documents.
• Compose technical documents including, user's manuals, training materials, installation guides, proposals, and reports.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
• Originality - The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
• English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
• Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
• Learning Strategies - Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
• Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
• Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
• Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
• Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
• Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
• Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
• Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
• Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
• Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
• Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
• Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
• Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Communications and Media - Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
• Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Tools used in this occupation:

• High capacity removable media drives - Universal serial bus USB flash drives
• Personal computers
• Notebook computers - Laptop computers
• Scanners - Computer data input scanners
• Desktop computers

Technology used in this occupation:

• Development environment software - Darwin information typing architecture DITA; Extensible markup language XML; Microsoft Visual Basic; Standardized general markup language SGML
• Desktop publishing software - Adobe Systems Adobe FrameMaker; Adobe Systems Adobe InDesign; Corel Ventura; PTC Arbortext
• Web platform development software - Hypertext markup language HTML; JavaScript; Microsoft ASP.NET; Sun Microsystems Java server pages JSP
• Graphics or photo imaging software - Adobe Systems Adobe Illustrator; Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop software; Corel CorelDraw Graphics Suite; Corel Paint Shop Pro
• Data base management system software - Author-it; Oracle Business Intelligence Discoverer; Oracle software; Talisma Knowledgebase