Technical Writer

Direct Client

Title: Technical Writer

Location: Columbia, SC

Duration: 12 months

Description:

SCOPE OF THE PROJECT:
Client, as the state Medicaid Agency, is required to develop and maintain Information Security Plans, Policies, Standards, and Procedures documents and related artifacts to ensure compliance with Federal, State, and Agency requirements.
Role Summary/Purpose
The Technical Writer will work with various internal teams including Agency leadership, Project Directors/Project Managers, Technical Directors/Developers, Business and Technology Stakeholders/Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), and other Agency staff to create Information Security-related business and technical documents and artifacts that will be used both internally and externally by OIA, executive management, agency staff, vendors, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and other stakeholders. We are looking for candidates who are highly organized, can work independently in a fast-paced environment, and produce multiple quality deliverables with varying deadlines. Candidates should be self-starters and creative problem solvers and have the flexibility to learn new products and technologies quickly.
Essential Responsibilities
1. Work alongside appropriate staff, teams, stakeholders and other points of contact (POCs) as required to:
• understand the goals and objectives of complex information systems with extensive security and compliance requirements,
• gather information necessary to produce accurate and complete documents and artifacts, and
• lead in the creation of document and artifact deliverables supporting OIA efforts and initiatives.
2. Participate in design-level discussions to provide recommendations on document and artifact deliverables based upon analysis of administrative, technical, and management aspects of information systems and associated services.
3. Work with technical staff and business stakeholders to create deliverables and artifacts that are intended for audiences with various levels of technical knowledge.
4. Organize and write supporting documents as needed.
5. Select and utilize photographs, drawings, diagrams, charts, and other graphical elements that increase users’ understanding.
6. Revise documents as changes or modifications to information systems and services occur.
7. Organize and maintain a repository of all documents and artifacts. 
Required Knowledge/Skills:
1. 5+ years of documented Information Technology-related work experience.
2. 4+ years of technical writing experience in positions requiring the development of structured written materials and visual aids.
3. Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
4. Ability to interact with internal and external vendors, project team members, management, and agency departments and to build relationships and use facilitation skills with both technical and non-technical personnel.
5. Ability to write, edit, and prepare presentations of technical information for both technical and business personnel using appropriate and illustrative graphical elements.
6. Experience in organizing information in a way that is appropriate for technical explanations without losing sight of the needs and aptitude of the audience.
7. Ability to collaborate and coordinate with multiple teams and vendors.
8. Ability to work independently and as a member of a team.
9. Ability to multitask and prioritize tasks effectively in order to meet deadlines.
10. Have proficiency/understanding of the MS SharePoint application.
11. Must possess advanced skills in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio) to include working with templates and style guidelines for branding consistency.
12. Keen attention to detail while maintaining the ability to see the big picture.
13. Ability to absorb and retain complex processes.
14. Strong English language skills.
15. Demonstrable understanding of the rules of English grammar and usage.
16. Ability to accept changes and constructive criticism in a fast turn-around environment.

Preferred Requirements/Skills:
1. Bachelor’s degree in English, journalism, technical writing, or similar discipline.
2. Bachelor’s degree in computer science or similar discipline.
3. Prior experience in writing System Security Plans, Advance Planning Documents, Requests For Proposals, or similar documents.
4. Knowledge of Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) concepts and the interdependencies of documentation.
5. Understanding of LEAN/Agile development style.
6. Prior experience with Bizagi.
7. Previous public sector work experience.

EDUCATION PREFERRED:
1. Bachelor’s degree in English, journalism, technical writing, or similar discipline.
2. Bachelor’s degree in computer science or similar discipline.

Technical writing experience with (FISMA or NIST or MARS or HIPAA)