I am a cutting-edge communicator with extensive experience as a writer, editor, instructional designer, and developer, as well as graduate-level education in communications from the University of California. I have demonstrated a high degree of creativity in creating world-class technical/instructional/marketing/public relations materials, including project documentation, tutorials, ADDIE training and testing materials, online help systems, user and installation guides, product demos, proposals, responses to RFP\'s, newsletters, press releases and websites. I have worked on many platforms and performed documentation project management.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

Text Processing: MS Word, FrameMaker, PageMaker, MS Publisher

Online Help: RoboHelp, VB Help, Windows Help, Madcap Flare

Presentation: Visio, ABC Flowcharter, Harvard Graphics, PowerPoint, Astound

Project Management: MS Project, MS Excel, MS Outlook

Multimedia: Flash, Fireworks, Director, Animation Shop, Shockwave, Sound Forge, Captivate

Website Creation: DreamWeaver CS4, FrontPage, HTML, DHTML

Graphics: Adobe Illustrator CS4, Fireworks, Paint Shop Pro, Image Composer, Photoshop

Programming: XML, Flash ActionScript 3.0, Visual Basic, JavaScript, DOS batch files, macros

Other: ClearCase, SourceSafe, Documentum, TeamSite, Wiki, Sharepoint, Confluence

EXPERIENCE

July, 2010-Present. Confidential
System/Ingenix/DHCS. Contract Documentation Specialist/Instructional Designer/Metadata Librarian. Using SAP BusinessObjects data warehouse: updated basic training materials including learning guides and FAQs, developed new advanced training materials, created Adobe Captivate tutorials, uploaded files into FlexTraining environment, provided classroom training support, updated DB metadata using RoboHelp HTML, updated contract deliverable documents, documented procedures, served as Help Desk backup.

April, 2010-July, 2010. Confidential
Writer/Designer. Rewrote, redesigned and reorganized multilevel Information Technology website for the UC Davis Medical Center. Coded in HTML, created Adobe Illustrator page layouts, Flash/XML self-populating buttons, Fireworks icons and graphics, and utilized TeamSite Content Management System (CMS) and Confluence Wiki tool.

February, 2010-March, 2010. Confidential. Contract Technical Writer/Editor. Utilizing SharePoint, followed company guidelines to format and edit RFP proposal deliverables including project plans, DEDs, exhibits and appendices for California Highway Patrol Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) Replacement project. Participated in team status meetings. Worked on-site and remotely.

January, 2010–February, 2010 (part-time). Confidential Contract Website Designer/Webmaster. Designed new website for large, multi-departmental insurance firm, incorporating Flash, Fireworks and DreamWeaver, PHP and multimedia elements. Served as agency webmaster (on-going) since 2004. 100% telecommute.

November, 2009-January, 2010. Confidential/Electronic Data Systems. Contract Technical Writer. Utilizing SharePoint, gathered information to create deliverables for California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Strategic Offender Management (SOMS) database project. Interviewed project managers and technical resources, created and updated draft deliverables.

July, 2009-October, 2009. Confidential. Contract Technical/Marketing Writer. Created power/energy generation industry partial discharge user’s guide and ported information from MS Word to Adobe FrameMaker. Created new wiring diagrams, reorganized information, added appendices and details on application use, adhered to corporate templates and standards, utilized FrameMaker.

February, 2009-May, 2009. Confidential, FMAB Division. Contract Analyst/Technical Writer/Team Lead. At State level, led meetings of Work Group members, performed project management and completed Short Doyle/Medi-Cal (California’s Medicaid) HIPAA-compliant claims billing procedure manual for use by all California counties. Interfaced with management. Worked with subject matter experts and stakeholders to provide definitions of claims processing requirements and the business requirements on which they are based. Reviewed and documented Drug Medi-Cal claims processing policies and procedures, including process flow diagrams. Managed the document review process to ensure consistency, accuracy, and readability. Performed project management, created Excel forms, Work Plan and Issue Log.

August, 2008-December, 2009. Confidential. Contract Marketing Technical Writer/Team Lead. Created documentation templates for enterprise-wide corporate rebranding, created new illustrations in Adobe Illustrator for hardware and software installation and operations manuals included in Bills of Materials, edited content for accuracy and standardization, performed layout and copy editing for corporate brochures and marketing materials, recommended documentation approaches, tools and font sets, utilized corporate Wiki pages to research and log application issues.

November, 2007-July, 2008. Confidential, IT Division. Contract Analyst/Technical Writer/Team Lead. At State level, led meetings of 90+ Work Group members and completed high-profile legislature-mandated Short Doyle/Medi-Cal (California’s Medicaid) HIPAA-compliant claims billing procedure manual for use by all California counties. Interfaced with high-level DMH management. Worked with subject matter experts and stakeholders to provide definitions of claims processing requirements and the business requirements on which they are based. Reviewed and documented SD/MC claims processing procedures, including process flow diagrams. Managed the document review process to ensure consistency, accuracy, and readability. Performed project management, created Project Charter, Excel forms, Work Plan and Issue Log.

August, 2008-October, 2008 (Part-time). Confidential. Contract Technical Writer. Updated existing user guides for computerized robotic surgical system.
April, 2008-May, 2008 (Part-time). California Department of Corrections (CDCR). Contract Analyst/Technical Writer. Attended meetings to gather requirements specifications and conduct the business needs assessment (Data Evaluation and Recommendation [ORDER] Project) for the Strategic Offender Management Systems (SOMS). Meetings helped identify relevant existing databases, business processes, policies, and information requirements for the Offender Information Services Branch (OISB), Office of Research (OR), Juvenile Research Branch (ARB), and Adult Research Branch (ARB).

January, 2006-September, 2007. Confidential. Contract Sr. Technical Writer/Instructional Design Developer/Team Lead. Developed complete set of SDLC documents including templates, training manuals, HTML online help systems, user guides, system administration manuals, release notes and corporate newsletter. Estimated documentation time requirements and developed/maintained project documentation including spreadsheets tracking team assignments, status, and due dates. Collaborated with local and remote teammates in drafting Functional and Technical Specifications and User Acceptance Tests, including test scripts and outcomes. Analyzed and wrote responses to RFP-based requirements for highly complex voter registration application. Demonstrated superior writing, editing and organizational skills. Performed documentation project management.

June, 2003-Present (part-time). Confidential, Public Relations/Grant Writer. Wrote two successfully funded state grant applications for streetscape improvement project providing new sidewalks, decorative street lighting, historic markers and a monument for a 14-block historic district on the National Register of Historic Places and Virginia Landmarks Register. Wrote press releases and held press conferences. Wrote newsletters, designed non-profit website and walking tour map, served as webmaster.

August, 2004-Present (part-time). Confidential, Bristol Historical Association. Public Relations/Grant Writer. Wrote two successfully funded grant applications (one federal, one regional) for a historic preservation project providing architectural design plans and restoration funds to create a living history museum for a historic wood frame house from the 1700s listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Wrote press releases and held press conferences. Designed brochure and website, served as webmaster. Completed quarterly federal reports and paperwork.

August, 2004-January, 2006 (part-time). Confidential. Contract Technical Writer. Wrote monthly reports using graphical pie and bar charts and performed basic statistical analysis reports summarizing call center outsourcing services, utilized Excel, MS Word to create graphical reports.

February, 2002-August, 2002. Confidential. Contract Technical Writer/Project Lead. For a 40 billion dollar company, oversaw documentation of Folsom Data Center Conversation project transferring data center to corporate HQ. For 30 internally-developed applications: interviewed application developers, assisted four writers in creating/updating documentation, VISIO flowcharts, architecture and dataflow diagrams, and other documents. Performed documentation project management. Created/updated project spreadsheets and reports, identified content owners and new documentation needs.

October, 2000-June, 2001. Confidential. Contract Multimedia Instructional Design Developer. Revised and updated extensive animated Flash training for the HP High Availability Observatory for HP Premier Support Engineers. Training provides an introduction to the HAO suite of trouble-shooting applications. Using new script, revised animation, added new scenes and lessons, recorded and synched voiceovers for 80-file training project.

August, 1998-October, 2000. Confidential. Contract Technical-Marketing Writer/Instructional Design Developer/Webmaster. Wrote professional end-user documentation for HP\'s highly regarded OpenView family of software products, including on-line help systems, HTML marketing/training materials and user guides for the HP OpenView Exchange Manager for ManageX and IT/Operations, and the VantagePoint Database SMART Plug-In for Oracle and other DBs. Wrote marketing materials, created web pages and graphics. Created Flash-animated website for the HPOV Formula One Team. Tested applications in Windows and UNIX.

Wrote scripts and created self-running animated multimedia demo CD of HP ManageX Event Manager. Wrote scripts and created self-running animated multimedia demo CD of HP Network Node Manager. Designed/developed internal team web site visible within HP and external HP OpenView web site for the Exchange Manager. Also served as webmaster for several internal and external web sites.

January, 1998-August, 1998. Confidential. Contract Technical Writer/Webmaster. Wrote business process documentation for software upgrade project affecting 60,000 Intel employees. Created project tools including an Access DB to track and record revisions to documents, an Access DB and Access DB reports to track missing documentation components, and a VB code-driven self-populating Excel spreadsheet to track action items. Created Visio flowcharts and wrote business processes. Assisted in the design and development of web site, created web pages and web graphics, served as webmaster.

November, 1997-January, 1998 (part-time). Confidential. Contract Technical/Marketing Writer/Instructional Design Developer. Wrote training manuals and user guides for Solomon Software-compatible time and billing system and credit card verification system. Followed Solomon documentation standards for user guides and training manuals. Captured screens, filed bug reports, and made program enhancement recommendations. Tested applications.

July, 1997-October, 1997. Confidential. Contract Technical Writer. Rewrote and reformatted three existing user guides for computerized robotic surgical system. Created new format templates, renamed and reorganized files, took digital photos and inserted into manuals. Created documentation procedures and tools, including documentation checklist, documentation change request form, documentation change DB, data entry form, and report. Updated training materials with current information, and created new PowerPoint slide sets and related handouts. Scanned photos and manipulated using Corel Photo-Paint. Translated technical specifications from French to English. Tested applications.

February, 1997-July, 1997. Confidential. Contract Technical Writer/Instructional Design Developer. Responsible for all project written materials. Developed training materials; created and edited system, program, and operational documentation; created MS Access databases, data entry forms, queries, and reports. Created and enforced documentation standards; created, edited, and updated user guide; created and disseminated project newsletter.

September, 1996-February, 1997. Confidential. Contract Technical Writer. In conformance with documentation standards, wrote and edited business processes and technical publications for the International New Zealand Criminal Information System (INCIS). Tested applications.

August, 1996-September, 1996. Confidential, Sacramento. Contract Technical Writer. Wrote operational procedures for the payroll and benefits functions of the Genesys U.S. Payroll System, documented operational procedures for the ViComp Incentive Compensation System, utilized Excel, MS Word.

November, 1995-August, 1996. Confidential. Contract Technical Writer/Instructional Design Developer/Trainer. Wrote, rewrote, and validated training materials. Trained state employees on the application. Revised user guide addressing content errors and adding new system information. Created system diagrams. Wrote end-user newsletter for statewide distribution. Developed plan to revise the 40,000 page Detailed System Design Document. Assessed the software and system needs of Documentation Team, assisted team members, and performed QA on draft and finished products. Learned SACSS application, Excelerator Development Tool, and Jetforms software. Utilized SQL and reviewed COBOL pseudo code. Tested applications.

May, 1996-June, 1996. Confidential. Contract Technical/Marketing Writer. Wrote responses to RFP\'s for Virtual Telemanagement System, which provided on-line access to telephone call records and disseminated information via the Internet, CD-ROM, and magnetic tape.

March, 1995-October, 1995. Confidential, Incorporated. Contract Technical/Marketing Writer; Chair, Documentation Committee. Documented latest revision of UNIX-based relational database hospital information management system. Created end-user release notice. Wrote and edited end-user newsletter. Chaired Documentation Committee meetings. Ran programs, created test data, generated and captured reports, verified data, generated bug reports.

July, 1994-February, 1995. Confidential. Contract Technical/Marketing Writer. Wrote user guide, installation manual, and system overview for highly complex OS/2-based diagnostic laboratory software, along with response to RFP proposals, documentation, and marketing materials for automated time keeping software.

EDUCATION
BA: Confidential College 
MA Coursework: UC Davis
Train-the-Trainer Courses: CSUS
Computer Applications: UCSC
Science Courses: Confidential College