Technical Writer

If you want to work for a company with a passion for quality and innovation, consider Franklin Electric, or one of our companies. As the premier designer and manufacturer of residential, agricultural, and commercial water and fuel systems, we're making a fundamental difference in the lives of people around the world. Your career at Franklin will be well rewarded with competitive compensation and benefits--and more. We understand a fulfilling family life is the foundation to a successful professional one. We strive to promote from within and help every employee realize their professional potential. We believe in lifetime careers that continually challenge and fulfill. GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF POSITION Responsible for creating, editing, and maintaining technical documentation such as installation / maintenance manuals, educational presentations, journal articles, FAQs, and testing materials. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES * Analyze and determine the user needs of technical documentation. * Study product samples and gather technical input from product managers, engineers, and communications and marketing services. * Partner with technical staff to distill complex data into user-friendly communication mediums. * Organize and write supporting documents for products. * Work with internal teams to define and develop photographs, drawings, diagrams, animation, and charts to increase installer and user understanding of product application, installation, and maintenance. * Standardize and organize content included in technical documents. * Gather usability feedback from customers, installers, and in some cases, end-users. * Revise documents as new product issues arise. * Maintain and control existing documents and the respective internal online storage and organization thereof. * Produce new documentation, including development and direction of illustrations and animation as required. * Assist internal customers by updating tests and presentations. * Perform other related duties as required or assigned. POSITION QUALIFICATIONS Skills and Abilities * Employs strong grammatical and concise language skills to produce effective, easy-to-use content. * Works with fundamental electrical and/or mechanical concepts to create simplified explanations for end-users. * Reads and understands documents such as engineering specifications, flowcharts, wiring diagrams, and procedures. * Works in a team environment using modern structured authoring and modular development principles. * Effectively communicates information and responds to questions in person-to-person and small group situations with vendors, internal and external customers, and other employees of the organization. * Solves practical problems and deals with a variety of known variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. * Uses non-complex machines and equipment (calculators, copy/fax machines, etc.). * Writes routine correspondence within the organization * Effectively communicates information and responds to questions in person-to-person and small group situations with vendors, internal and external customers, and other employees of the organization. * Works with fundamental mathematical concepts such as algebra, geometry, and trigonometry. * Solves practical problems and deals with a variety of known variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. * Interprets a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram formats. * Reads and understands documents such as policy manuals, safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. * Utilizes common-sense understanding in order to carry out written, oral, or diagrammed instructions. * Plans the time, method, manner, and/or performance sequence of own work; may also occasionally assist in planning work assignments performed by others within a limited area of operation. * Frequently makes decisions of both minor and major importance, which may affect the work operations of other employees and/or clientele to a minor degree. * Uses non-complex machines and equipment (calculators, copy/fax machines, etc.). Education and Experience * Bachelor's degree in technology, technical writing, English composition, journalism, or a related field. * Associate's degree with a minimum of four years of relevant experience in technical writing, technical communications, or a related field * Experience writing in a technical field preferred. Computer Skills * Advanced: Adobe FrameMaker, Illustrator, Creo Illustrate, Content Management Systems (CMS), XML * Intermediate: Database, spreadsheet, word processing/typing, Microsoft Office * Basic: 10-key, alphanumeric data entry, presentation/PowerPoint. PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES * While performing the functions of this job, the employee is: * Regularly required to sit and to talk or hear. * Occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel. * The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. * Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and color vision. The company will make reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and expectations. ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS * The noise level in the work environment is usually minor. Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Women/Protected Veterans/Disabled