Technical Writer

Full Job Description

Seattle City Light is hiring a Technical Writer. In this position, you will work in tandem with a second technical writer to support a team of standards engineers and subject matter experts.

Seattle City Light's standards are important because they define the utility's best practices. Compliance with these standards is mandatory for all City Light employees, contractors, and suppliers.

In this position, you will also:

• Create and edit technical documents, such as design standards, construction standards, material standards, work practices, handbooks, and reports, as well as organizational procedures.
• Manage the publishing process for documents, including review cycles with teams and stakeholders.
• Project management of more complex publications, such as handbooks and a stock catalog.
• Coordinate the production and revision of CAD drawings with a technical resources team.
• Maintain a SharePoint site.
• Maintain electronic standards history files.
• Work with electrical engineers to develop and revise technical documents.

This position reports to the Supervisor of Standards Engineering.

Seattle City Light, a department of the City of Seattle, is one of the nation’s largest municipally owned utilities in terms of the number of customers served.

Over the years we have worked very hard to keep Seattle's electricity affordable, reliable, and environmentally sound.

Today, City Light is a recognized national leader in energy efficiency and environmental stewardship.

Requirements

Here is more about what you’ll be doing:

• Technical writing and editing - Revise or create documents and perform content editing as well as copyediting following the Standards Style Guide. Coordinate review cycles with subject matter experts until approval to publish is obtained.
• Document formatting and production - Edit and apply style-based formatting to documents including tables and figures. Create and update templates, including layout, design, and style definitions.
• Graphic design - Coordinate production of new or revised CAD figures and incorporate images into documents. Perform minor digital editing of photos.
• Publishing - Manage the publishing process from project initiation to final publishing on a digital library site for a large library of technical documents and books.
• Archive/library management - Manage a library and archive of digital documents.
• Project management - Manage all steps of larger document production, including review cycles, coordination with an external printer, and stakeholder communications.
• Maintain all aspects of a SharePoint site - Manage and maintain a team SharePoint site, including updating of webparts, menus, lists, forms, and other tools and applications within the site.

Qualifications

In addition to the skills and experience mentioned below, a successful applicant will have experience that reflects a commitment to creating fair and equitable outcomes and has:

A Certification in Communications, English, Technical Communications, Technical Writing or other relevant field. Proficient user of work processing and spreadsheet programs.

Experience with Adobe Creative Suite or similar print design software; or other combinations of education and/or relevant experience.

Desired Qualifications - You will be successful if you have the following experience, skills, and abilities:

• Expert-level proficiency in Microsoft Word, such as creating and modifying styles and templates, and creating and revising complex tables.
• Expert-level proficiency in Adobe Acrobat Pro.
• Proficiency in managing the writing, editing, and production of technical or instructional documentation.
• Writing and/or editing experience at an electric utility, other utility, or engineering firm.
• Expert-level proficiency in SharePoint.
• Intermediate proficiency in Excel, and Photoshop or other digital photo editing software.
• Electronic publishing experience, including document revision management.
• Project management for publications, including managing multi-stage review cycles, document revision, stakeholder communications, and schedules/deadlines.
• Ability to lead meetings and facilitate conversations with stakeholders to communicate expectations and desired outcomes.
• Ability to work as a team member in a culturally diverse workforce.
• Possess technical research skills.
• Self-starter with the ability to simultaneously manage multiple projects.
• Ability to provide and receive feedback in a respectful, positive manner.

Please note this job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Emergency Response Commitment:

Seattle City Light is committed to reliable service during emergencies.

Through our Emergency Response Program, each employee is assigned a role—usually aligned with their regular duties—to support emergency operations.

Your participation is vital to helping the utility stay prepared and serve our community when it matters most.

Additional Information

The full salary range for this position is $44.65 to $51.97 per hour.

Application Process

Please submit the following with your online application:

• A cover letter in which you clearly describe how your knowledge, experience, skills, and abilities prepare you for the job responsibilities and qualifications outlined in the job announcement
• A current resume of your educational and professional work experience.
• A recent writing sample, not to exceed five pages

Incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Who May Apply: This position is open to all candidates that meet the qualifications. Seattle City Light values diverse perspectives and life experiences.

Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

Seattle City Light encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences.

Job offers are contingent on the verification of credentials and other information required by the employment process, including the completion of a background check.

The background check will involve a criminal history check, which includes conviction and arrest records in compliance with the Seattle’s Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17and the City of Seattle Personnel Rule 10.3.

A driving history review may be conducted in compliance with SMC 4.79.020.Applicants will be provided an opportunity to explain or correct background information.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.

More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans.

Want to know more about Seattle City Light? Check out our web page: https://www.seattle.gov/city-light/about-us/careers.