Technical Writer - 964

Relapath is seeking a Technical Writer 3 to support agency initiatives to review and update documents and web-published content for ADA WCAG 2.1AA compliance for the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD).

About the Role

This individual will work with the MDARD Bureau Services Manager to establish best practices for ongoing efforts to review and address non-compliance with ADA WCAG 2.1 AA standards and applicable department policies for published documents and agency-maintained web content. The role includes training program staff on these best practices and leading efforts to complete needed updates. Weekly meetings with the MDARD Bureau Services Manager will track progress, remove barriers, and set priorities.

This position collaborates closely with the department’s web administrator, web team, forms analyst, and Digital Accessibility Review Team (DART) to ensure timely compliance. The ideal candidate will have experience producing technical content for published documentation and web content in support of business operations, reports, and communications in compliance with WCAG 2.1 AA ADA guidelines, including the use of accessibility tools.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain user and technical documentation and project process documentation for application teams.
• Understand the user’s view of applications and structure procedures in a logical sequence.
• Write a variety of technical articles, reports, brochures, and manuals for documentation across multiple uses.
• Coordinate the display of graphics and production of documents as needed.
• Develop, enhance, and maintain user documentation for multiple applications, including operational provider documentation.
• Create and maintain online source documentation.
• Manage documentation libraries and subscription lists.
• Identify, create, revise, and maintain documentation and templates.
• Ensure appropriate control access and use of documentation materials.
• Maintain application and user documentation, ensuring consistency in messaging and terminology.
• Research and complete documentation service requests.
• Provide accurate and useful status updates.
• Manage and report time spent on all work activities while adhering to quality standards.
• Compose technical documents, manuals, bulletins, brochures, publications, training manuals, and special reports.
• Organize and coordinate the composition of materials and drafting of forms suitable for reproduction.
• Review and edit prepared materials and illustrations.
• Develop and refine material for publication in journals and periodicals.
• Prepare informational material for release to mass media.
• Collaborate with agency staff on formats, graphics, and layout of publications.
• Assist agency staff in preparing and refining material for speeches and public presentations.
• Research product design, capabilities, and compatibility ranges as needed.
• Oversee the writing, editing, publishing, and distribution of specification documents.
• Review various resources and prepare analyses or summaries.
• Mentor teams to implement documentation standards, including developing and delivering related training materials.
• Review existing documentation against standards, document and prioritize identified gaps.
• Work on projects with a purposeful ADA WCAG 2.1 AA focus.
• Utilize ADA tools associated with technical writing (e.g., Microsoft Accessibility Checker, Adobe Accessibility Checker).

Requirements

• Minimum of 4 years of general technical writer experience.
• Minimum 1 year of mentoring and working with teams to implement documentation standards, including developing and delivering related training materials.
• Minimum 2 years of reviewing existing documentation against standards, documenting, and prioritizing identified gaps.
• Minimum 1 year of working on projects with a purposeful ADA WCAG 2.1 AA focus.
• Minimum 1 year of experience using ADA tools associated with technical writing (e.g., Microsoft Accessibility Checker, Adobe Accessibility Checker).
• Experience in technical writing, journalism, or communications work.
• Knowledge of techniques and methods for planning, organizing, and writing various types of materials, research methodology, and departmental policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Strong communication skills, both written and spoken.
• Ability to work in a team environment.