TECHNICAL WRITER

Description: Position Description:
The purpose of the Technical Writer position at Engineering R&D is to lead the effort to create complete and useful machine / project documentation (the Manual) that is provided to the end user, which is typically plant maintenance, operations, and sanitation personnel. The Manual provides extremely important information to the end-user and it is of the upmost importance that the Technical Writer delivers a professional, accurate, understandable, and timely end product.

Essential Functions:
Ability to translate / document / record verbal or demonstrated instructions into written instructions useable to a technical or non-technical end-user Handling of material and product within the shipping and receiving area and throughout the manufacturing departments as required. A person from a project team will demonstrate or describe to the Technical Writer how to do a task.
The Technical Writer will write a set of instructions using technical language common to the audience based on the information the project team demonstrated or described.
The Technical Writer will supplement the written instructions with visual aids (pictures, drawings, schematics, etc.) that he or she gathers to illustrate the tasks being described.

Lead the manual / project documentation process to meet deliverables and deadlines for a given project. Communicate with the project teams the needs and milestones necessary to meet deadlines associated with Bill of Materials, Spare Parts Lists, Preliminary Manuals, and Final Manuals.
Build a schedule of deadlines and dates for milestones to achieve the deliverables and project schedule deadlines. Communicates the schedule and deadlines to the project team. Effectively communicate with team members when there are gaps in schedule and deadlines.
Uses all means available to acquire information needed to achieve milestones and to keep the manual/documentation development processes advancing according to schedule. In many cases, the Technical Writer will need to work cooperatively with engineers and designers to acquire drawings and other information for inclusion in the product manual. The Technical Writer is expected to work cooperatively and forcefully to get that information to ensure it is available according to schedule.
Lead the effort to assemble, proofread, and revise to achieve a finished product to present to the customer.

Utilize available processes and tools to create a machine/project manual of necessary information for the end user. Acquire Hormel Item Numbers for manufacturer component lists.
Accurately reflect Supplier and Manufacturer information on the BOM.
Attach Bill of materials and Manuals in Enterprise Asset Management system.
Utilize the Hormel Foods Standard Naming Convention for parts descriptions.
Take photographs, screen shots, digital media, or video instruction when applicable as necessary to include in the machine/ project manual.
Collaborate with Engineer to write a detailed theory of operation of every machine.
Write detailed instructions for common tasks such as setup, teardown, sanitation, preventative maintenance, Lockout/ Tagout, proper lubrication, and common repairs.

Utilize available databases and software suites to produce a complete and useful machine / project manual. Ability to produce a written (paper) manual and a PDF version of the same manual.
Proficient enough in the PDM Vault and folder structures to acquire drawings, schematics, and other useful information to assemble the complete manual.
Proficient in Microsoft Office suite or Adobe Creative Suite and the ability to learn basic SolidWorks skills to find necessary information when developing the Manual.
Ability to learn digital video creation and editing software as the machine documentation process evolves to include instructional videos.

Ability to travel overnight as this position may include work at plant sites and the potential for overnight travel as necessary to complete project documentation needs.
OTHER DUTIES
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Requirements: A degree in Communications or Journalism
Some technical background or hobbies required.
Detail oriented with high accuracy.
Strong organizational skills, and ability to set and prioritize goals.
Excellent interpersonal skills.
Must have strong problem-solving skills with the ability to work independently in a responsible manner.
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands or fingers, and talk and hear.

Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those and employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Americans with Disabilities Act:
If you are a qualified individual with a disability, you have a right to request that the Authority make reasonable accommodations to help you accomplish your work, which must still be performed in all essential functions.

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