Technical Content Writer

Job Description:

This position is responsible for the designing and delivering quality user and technical content so Vertex customers, partners, and alliances are successful using our solutions. This role will design, create, maintain, and deliver content for complex or emerging products in various formats and across multiple channels, such as in-product content, embedded help, digital guides, and videos. This role can be posted at a Senior level. This position is part of the Product Content Experience (PCX) team.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Designs and develops user content in text, images, and video that is accessible, findable, and meets search engine optimization (SEO) requirements.

• Converts and enhances legacy content to engaging digital content.

• Creates and maintains clear, usable, accurate digital content for complex or emerging products.

• Creates content that enables users to successfully install, configure, use, and maintain Vertex software solutions.

• Designs and develops digital content for different audience types including tax professionals, integrators, programmers, database administrators, and system administrators.

• Works with Product Management, Product Owners, and Product Designers to gather requirements for new features and design content for the user interface.

• Works successfully with agile engineering teams.

• Performs need, audience, and task analysis.

• Writes and organizes content that meets users’ needs and project requirements and complies with Vertex standards.

• Gathers and applies feedback from editors and subject matter experts.

• Collaborates effectively as part of a multidisciplinary scrum team.

• Delivers quality content on time and within scope and in multiple formats.

• Uses multiple tools (CMS, graphics tools) to produce deliverables in various formats (text, images, videos, knowledge base).

• Applies performance-centric information design principles to content.

• Uses topic-based (structured) authoring techniques to create modular content and self-contained articles.

• Maintains existing deliverables in multiple formats (HTML help, digital articles).

• Creates end-user, system administrator, and database administrator content.

• Adheres to department content development standards, practices, and processes.

• Stays abreast of industry trends through self-study, attending conferences and seminars, or participating in professional organizations.

• Participates in projects and performs other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• N/A

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• User Experience (UX) writing skills with demonstrated ability to produce clear, concise, error-free content.

• Demonstrated excellence in technical writing with a broad range of user content types, which can include user interface content, help; operating, technical, and reference guides; knowledge articles; and performance support materials, such as job aids.

• Knowledgeable about writing content for search engine optimization (SEO).

• Knowledge of fundamental web content design principles is required.

• Demonstrated advanced proficiency with authoring and graphics preparation packages/tools, including Microsoft Office and SnagIt.

• Strong organizational skills to maintain realistic project plans.

• Demonstrated ability with software defect tools and business applications.

• Ability to work with a diverse local and globally dispersed workforce.

• Ability to be patient with software build and release schedules/process that at times are ambiguous and fluid.

• Ability to work, persevere, and follow up with busy SMEs (subject matter experts).

• Ability to apply professional concepts, experience, and company objectives to perform an in-depth analysis of situations or data to resolve complex issues in creative ways.

• Ability to work without supervision (latitude for independent decision making).

• Ability to network with key contacts outside own area of expertise.

• Ability to listen and understand information and communicate the same.

• Ability to follow a technical writing process to create clear and comprehensive software documentation.

• Ability to critically assess source materials to determine content that is relevant to users.

• Ability to interview and interact face to face with subject matter experts to understand product solutions.

• Ability to organize and structure content in a way that helps customers to achieve their goals.

• Ability to use various authoring, drawing, image manipulation, and screen capture tools.

• Must possess strong interpersonal, organizational, presentation and facilitation skills.

• Must be results oriented and customer focused.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office packages.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING:

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical communication field or equivalent degree.

• Six (6) years plus of combined, related technical experience.

• Training or work experience in computer programming, relational databases, information technology, or web-based applications.

• Training or work experience in accounting, finance, or tax is a plus.

• Or equivalent combination of education and/or experience.

Other Qualifications
The Winning Way behaviors that all Vertex employees need in order to meet the expectations of each other, our customers, and our partners.

• Communicate with Clarity - Be clear, concise and actionable. Be relentlessly constructive. Seek and provide meaningful feedback.

• Act with Urgency - Adopt an agile mentality - frequent iterations, improved speed, resilience. 80/20 rule – better is the enemy of done. Don’t spend hours when minutes are enough.

• Work with Purpose - Exhibit a “We Can” mindset. Results outweigh effort. Everyone understands how their role contributes. Set aside personal objectives for team results.

• Drive to Decision - Cut the swirl with defined deadlines and decision points. Be clear on individual accountability and decision authority. Guided by a commitment to and accountability for customer outcomes.

• Own the Outcome - Defined milestones, commitments and intended results. Assess your work in context, if you’re unsure, ask. Demonstrate unwavering support for decisions.

COMMENTS:

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals in this position. Other functions may be assigned, and management retains the right to add or change the duties at any time.