Saint Mary’s University

Duties as the Technical Writer include, but are not limited to:

1. Developing, implementing and evaluating documentation and communication for ITSS initiatives across all University constituencies. This includes:

• Participating in project planning to analyze requirements and determining the most effective form of communication to inform University users of an ITSS project or service.
• Collecting and interpreting technical and functional information from technical resources within the department, vendor documentation, and others outside of the department as required through interviews and available documents and notes.
• Using written word, charts, diagrams, video and/or other means of communication to develop documentation.
• Ensuring the documentation and/or communication describes the function, use and troubleshooting for a product or service delivered by ITSS to improve its likelihood for success.
• Reviewing and editing technical manuals and documentation written by technical resources to ensure they are complete, accurate, well written and conform to departmental standards.
• Assisting in writing technical manuals and documentation by writing some sections and providing expertise in diagrams, charts and other forms of information delivery.
• Assisting in developing project plans and timelines, as required, as part of the technical project and operational planning, focusing on change management activities and communications.
• Assisting with the writing of procurement documents such as public tenders, Requests for Information (RFI), Requests for Proposal (RFP) and other related documents.

2. Developing and maintaining standards and templates for various types of documentation and communication written by the department, including technical, process and user standards. This is done by:

• Researching, evaluating and recommending IT documentation best practices and documentation tools and methods in support of documentation improvement efforts.
• Writing and maintaining documentation standards for a variety of documentation types used by the department.
• Editing written documentation of other ITSS staff and managers to ensure unified and consistent documents.
• Monitoring and performing quality assurance (QA) on internal knowledge base and document repository.

3. Coordinating all planned project, service and outage communications via the appropriate medium by:

• Organizing, writing, editing, and publishing digital content on ITSS' social media, web and portal accounts.
• Determining the most effective way in which to convey information to University users, which includes layout considerations, appropriate medium, frequency and audience, based on available analytics and analysis.
• Publishing content on digital platforms using the prescribed tools.

To be the successful Technical Writer you will possess a Community College diploma in English, Communications, Journalism or Technical Writing; have demonstrated technology writing experience; and a minimum of three (3) years of directly related experience. You further demonstrate excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both oral and written.

Saint Mary's University is one of Canada's top primary undergraduate universities--known for its international collaborations, leadership in entrepreneurship, and research that benefits local and global communities. Our programs in Arts, Science, Graduate Studies and the Sobey School of Business are among Canada's best and feature professors who are committed to the success of their students. Saint Mary's provides our 7,000 students with a place that fosters possibility, excellent research opportunities, and distinguished graduate and professional programs combined with a caring community. Nestled in the heart of Halifax, Nova Scotia, on Canada's east coast, Saint Mary's University is marked by iconic buildings, green spaces and fresh ocean air. The Saint Mary's University community is committed to a prosperous future for the world-a world without limits.

Learn more about working at Saint Mary's University here and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!

Apply for this opportunity online by visiting www.smu.ca/employment and use our online application system through CareerBeacon. Select the position you are interested in and apply by clicking the "Apply Online Now" button. Please include the names of three professional references. No telephone calls please.

The search committee will begin to consider applications on June 25, 2018 and continue until the position is filled.

Saint Mary's University hires on the basis of merit and is committed to the principles of employment equity. Saint Mary's University encourages applications from qualified women, visible minorities, Aboriginal people, and people with disabilities. Preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.

Saint Mary's University thanks all applicants for applying. Only those selected for interviews will be contacted.

Saint Mary's University promotes a scent free environment and is proud to be tobacco-free as of September 1, 2013