Technical Publication Specialist

Job Overview

Company Description:

Rite-Hite is the global leader in the manufacture and distribution of industrial loading dock and door equipment.  Our innovative products and world class sales organization ensure solid, consistent growth, both for our company and our staff.  Arbon Equipment, a Rite-Hite company, is North America's premiere distributor of dock and door equipment as well as service. To continue our growth, we have an opening for a Technical Publication Specialist at our brand new headquarters in Milwaukee, WI or at our Dubuque, IA manufacturing plant. 

Job Description:

This position is primarily responsible for editing, updating, standardizing, and maintaining Rite-Hite technical manuals (Owner and Installation).

Here is a list of the essential job duties and responsibilities: 

Assess and lead all manual projects and prioritize accordingly. Obtain input from Rite-Hite personnel regarding deadlines and product priorities.

Communicate status of projects regularly to key Rite-Hite personnel in the US, Europe, Asia, South America and Canada to set priorities and evaluate other requests for manual creation and translation.

Coordinate language translations for manuals, quality control of translations and tracking changes and versions for US and international locations.

Use the established InDesign template for all OpCo manuals, making adjustments as needed.

Ensure required elements are accounted for. Use the software to apply consistent styles and format to each manual that makes managing the content as easy as possible in the future.

Format or re-format manual content so that translation can be done as efficiently as possible.

Maintain procedures, guidelines, and industry manual standards (i.e. ANSI, CE) for future reference and application. Communicate and help educate all OpCo content creators/reviewers so they understand the process, guidelines and requirements.

Identify standard or common pages/text, abbreviation lists, consistent terminology, common statements or fine print, and graphics that can be used in all manuals for consistency and for the language translation.

Manage this content and make sure it is utilized wherever needed. Work with Engineering and content reviewers so they are aware of this content and will also use it.

Follow the publication coding system that communicates the product, the manual version, and revision date. Maintain a spreadsheet of all manuals, product model, the languages available, etc.

Always be able to identify the most current version of each manual and make sure they are available to the field.

Create technical publications, such as operation, installation, parts and service manuals for Rite-Hite Operating Companies. 

Write, edit and revise documentation for consistency, ease of use, accuracy and streamlining in response to engineering changes and product improvements.

Create, edit and manipulate graphics used in the technical publications.

Provide guidance to Engineering and other key personnel to develop and provide the best possible graphic files.

Work closely with respective Engineering, Applications, Technicians, and Customer Service Representatives as needed, to ensure accuracy is maintained throughout a writing, editing and/or reformatting project.

For new products, manage and coordinate information gathering and the publication creation process.

Work closely with OpCo staff to obtain text, graphics, drawings, etc. and use the established template and guidelines to create new manuals. Be responsible for routing proofs and obtaining the necessary sign-off.

When new manuals are finalized or existing manuals are updated, work with the Rite-Hite Print-Shop to provide files for print production, as well as notifying the appropriate people within the organization that the pdf file is available. Update the E-Trunk, Website, etc. with new pdf files.

Establish guidelines and procedures for handling product changes (ECNs and other corrections), especially when there are translated versions of a manual to consider.

Play a role in assuring Rite-Hite digital assets for tech pubs are handled and tracked appropriately. Be involved in maintaining our digital asset management system.

When requested, assist with the creation of graphics, adjusting photos, and other documents needed for use by marketing.

Required Experience:

4 year degree in technical writing, graphic design, desktop publishing, and/or communications with demonstrated work experience in page layout is needed. Experience editing or working with technical publication text and graphics is important.

Ability to work productively as part of a small team, in a fast-paced and deadline driven environment.

Must be comfortable handling multiple assignments and meeting customer needs, all at the same time.

This position requires a solid competency in desktop publishing, specifically Adobe InDesign and the Adobe Creative Suite of software applications.

Solid written communication skills, specifically technical writing, editing and documentation experience is required. Strong production art skills and efficient file building know-how are needed. This is not a creative graphic design position.

Must understand and be able to effectively use templates, style sheets, fonts, and various formats of graphic files in the creation of multi-page documents. In addition, a good understanding of how to create and work with pdf files (Adobe Acrobat) is important.

Ability to read, analyze and interpret engineering drawings, engineering documents, internal installation instructions and legal requirements. Ability to interpret a variety of information furnished in written, oral, diagram or graphic form.

This position requires attention to detail and strong organization skills.

This position requires excellent communication skills, verbally and in writing. The ability to communicate with a wide range of people, from engineers, to sales, to technicians, to international colleagues is important.

We Offer:

Rite-Hite provides competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package with medical, dental, and vision coverage along with life and paid medical leave. We also provide a retirement savings plan that combines 401(K) with company match and profit sharing. Paid holidays, vacation, and up to five paid personal/sick days per year round out the package.

Rite-Hite is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer offering a drug free workplace for our customers and employees.