Job Title

Technical Writer

Location

Global

Position Type

Volunteer

Job Description

We are seeking volunteer professional Technical Writers to research our products, services, and technology to be documented and easily understood by our developers and user communities.

SIL International is a faith-based nonprofit organization committed to serving translation teams worldwide. If you believe, as we do, that all languages are of value, form an integral part of people’s identity, and have the potential to serve them in a rapidly changing world, then you can be part of a software team serving translation teams worldwide.

Summary:

A Technical Writer is responsible for creating documentation that clarifies the product's features and benefits, analyzing existing documentation for gaps, and interviewing developers and users to verify, reorganize, maintain, and write documentation for various platforms. They will author content that supports users from a wide variety of backgrounds, from very basic to highly technical users.

Major Responsibilities:

Maintaining the existing documentation
Planning and designing major updates and rewrites of user-focused documentation
Planning and designing major updates and rewrites of developer documentation
Selecting appropriate tools to manage documentation over the long term
Selecting appropriate systems to support translation of documentation into a variety of languages
Meeting with Language Technology staff and field personnel to understand documentation needs
Participating as an integral and enthusiastic part of the team, exhibiting ownership, follow-through, initiative, awareness, and effective communication with peers and management
Working with the team around a cohesive product roadmap

Minor Responsibilities:

Participate in regular project status, planning, partnership, and strategic meetings
Be available to travel to meet with the larger development team at least once per year
Be available to travel biennially to the Language Technology Conference
Participate in professional conferences and meetings

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

● A servant heart attitude

Demonstrated experience in writing technical documentation
Demonstrated experience in documentation tools
Adaptability and the ability to work collaboratively with a team
Good interpersonal skills of communication

● Good organizational skills

The ability to make decisions in a timely manner
The ability to generate multiple solutions to the problem
The ability to quickly pick up technical concepts
The ability to work both with a team and independently, and to multitask effectively

Education and Experience:

Technical Writers need experience in writing technical documentation. Successful candidates should also have experience conducting research for their clients. Bachelor’s degree in communications, professional writing, or equivalent work experience is preferred, but we care more for a heart and mind that are always learning.

Training and Orientation:

Will complete the initial IT Software Department training program and relevant portions of IT Orientation.

Weekly Hours

Originally posted on Himalayas