Technical Writers Occupation Details

General Job Description and Education/Training Levels for Technical Writers

The main tasks and work activities of Technical Writers are to edit written materials, compile technical information or documentation, maintain records, documents, or other files, confer with clients to determine needs. In general, for the Technical Writers, writing, reading Comprehension, speaking, active Listening and other 7 skills are required.

Technical Writers Job Description
Education	Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Related Experience	A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Job Training	Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Example	Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include real estate brokers, sales managers, database administrators, graphic designers, chemists, art directors, and cost estimators.

The following chart shows the education/training levels for Technical Writers jobs.

Less than a High School Diploma

0.00%

High School Diploma (or the equivalent)

0.00%

Post-Secondary Certificate

6.90%

Some College Courses

15.89%

Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)

35.25%

Bachelor's Degree and Above

41.96%

Tasks and Work Activities of Technical Writers

Organize material and complete writing assignment according to set standards regarding order, clarity, conciseness, style, and terminology.
Maintain records and files of work and revisions.
Edit, standardize, or make changes to material prepared by other writers or establishment personnel.
Confer with customer representatives, vendors, plant executives, or publisher to establish technical specifications and to determine subject material to be developed for publication.
Review published materials and recommend revisions or changes in scope, format, content, and methods of reproduction and binding.
Select photographs, drawings, sketches, diagrams, and charts to illustrate material.
Study drawings, specifications, mockups, and product samples to integrate and delineate technology, operating procedure, and production sequence and detail.
Interview production and engineering personnel and read journals and other material to become familiar with product technologies and production methods.
Observe production, developmental, and experimental activities to determine operating procedure and detail.
Arrange for typing, duplication, and distribution of material.
Assist in laying out material for publication.
Analyze developments in specific field to determine need for revisions in previously published materials and development of new material.
Review manufacturer's and trade catalogs, drawings and other data relative to operation, maintenance, and service of equipment.
Draw sketches to illustrate specified materials or assembly sequence.
Develop or maintain online help documentation.

Interacting With ComputersUsing computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Getting InformationObserving, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and EventsIdentifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Updating and Using Relevant KnowledgeKeeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesProviding information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersTranslating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
Analyzing Data or InformationIdentifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
Processing InformationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkDeveloping specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Documenting/Recording InformationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Edit written materials.
Compile technical information or documentation.
Maintain records, documents, or other files.
Confer with clients to determine needs.
Determine presentation subjects or content.
Review details of technical drawings or specifications.
Research new technologies.
Coordinate logistics for productions or events.
Design layouts for print publications.
Monitor current trends.
Draw detailed or technical illustrations.
Write informational material.

Skills and Abilities for Technical Writers

WritingCommunicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Reading ComprehensionUnderstanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
SpeakingTalking to others to convey information effectively.
Active ListeningGiving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical ThinkingUsing logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active LearningUnderstanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Time ManagementManaging one's own time and the time of others.
Judgment and Decision MakingConsidering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
CoordinationAdjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
MonitoringMonitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Written ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
Written ComprehensionThe ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Near VisionThe ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Oral ComprehensionThe ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Oral ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Deductive ReasoningThe ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Information OrderingThe ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
Problem SensitivityThe ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Speech ClarityThe ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
Inductive ReasoningThe ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Speech RecognitionThe ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
Fluency of IdeasThe ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
VisualizationThe ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
Category FlexibilityThe ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.

Digital camerase.g. Compact digital cameras
Scannerse.g. Computer data input scanners
Desktop computerse.g. Desktop computers
Notebook computerse.g. Laptop computers
Personal computerse.g. Personal computers
High capacity removable media drivese.g. Universal serial bus USB flash drives

English LanguageKnowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Computers and ElectronicsKnowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
ClericalKnowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
Communications and MediaKnowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
Administration and ManagementKnowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Public Safety and SecurityKnowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Education and TrainingKnowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Production and ProcessingKnowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

Technical Writers Occupation Detailed Description

Tasks and Work Activities of Technical Writers

Skills and Abilities for Technical Writers