Caroline L. Scharf
scharf.caroline@gmail.com
3936 Everett Ave.
Oakland, CA. 94602
510-219-4851
www.carolinescharf.com

 


PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

 

 

I-many, Inc., Technical Writing Manager (staff)

Aug 2007–present

 

·    Manage a team of technical writers. Develop staffing plans; interview, hire, and mentor writers; and conduct performance reviews.

·    Institute documentation standards and processes including distribution and archival process, templates and skins, style guide, and SLAs with other departments.

·    Continue managing own documentation projects while performing management duties.

Special Projects:

·    Developed a documentation survey to understand strengths and weaknesses, and to identify areas of improvement.

 

I-many, Inc., Technical Writer (contractor)

May 2005–Aug 2007

 

·    Used FrameMaker, RoboHelp, Microsoft Word, and Acrobat Distiller to write and publish installation guides, administrator guides, online help systems, and other supporting documents for several products in an enterprise-wide contract management system.

·    Managed own documentation projects from interviewing SMEs, writing content, and coordinating reviews, to post-production and release while meeting tight deadlines.

Special Projects:

·    Developed a proposal for implementing context-sensitive help.

 

CollabFitness, Inc., Technical Writer/Business Analyst (contractor)

Aug 2004–Aug 2005

 

·    Developed functional requirements, interface specifications, and error handling for a web-based application.

·    Created wireframes and site maps using Microsoft Word and Visio.

·    Collaborated with remote engineering team to refine specifications and resolve issues.

·    Developed and wrote a new-hire training manual and supporting materials for sales personnel using Microsoft Word.

·    Developed marketing collateral, including web content, flyers, brochures, and print ads.

·    Worked with owner to write a developer’s guide and patent application. Created all technical diagrams using Visio.

·    Performed application testing.

 

Classroom Connect, Inc., Technical Writer (staff)

Aug 2003–May 2004

 

·    Wrote and maintained online help systems, application error messages, and contextual help for a suite of web-based applications.

·    Wrote print and web versions of a getting started guide.

·    Fixed textual errors in application code.

·    Assisted in application testing, usability testing, and interface design.

·    Edited product brochures and executive presentations.

Special Projects:

·    Acted as lead interface designer to update the online corporate store and product registration process. Worked with a graphic designer to update the design and branding, and collaborated with engineering to build and test it.

·     Led initiative to improve accuracy of deliverables from interface design leads, graphic designers, and writer to engineering team.

 

Johnson Controls, Inc., Documentation Team Lead (staff)

Mar 2002–Aug 2003

 

·    Led a team of editors and compositors to maintain a large documentation set for a government security system.

·    Oversaw documentation projects and team-member assignments to meet deadlines and budget requirements.

·    Provided estimates for and tracked multiple concurrent documentation projects.

·    Collaborated with engineering to edit and write online help systems, user guides, functional specifications, product brochures, presentations, and a computer-based training course using RoboHelp, Microsoft Word, and Flash.

·    Ensured documents complied with government classification and document release policies.

·     Maintained customer website and electronic and hard-copy documentation libraries.

 

Project Achieve, Inc., Technical Writer (staff)

Sep 1999–Mar 2002

 

·    Wrote and maintained a suite of web-based online help systems and training guides using RoboHelp.

·    Implemented popup help in application using Javascript.

·    Wrote and maintained application error messages in properties file.

·    Assisted in application testing, usability testing, and interface design.

Special Projects:

·    Led QA team of five members to release version 2.0 of application. Developed testing schedule, documented test cases, and worked with engineering to prioritize and fix issues.

·     Led project to identify and fix interface inconsistencies and HTML errors in front-end code.

 

Robert Half International, Inc., Technical Writer (staff)

Jun 1999–Sep 1999

 

·    Interviewed product managers, engineers, and end-users to gather documentation requirements.

·    Used RoboHelp to develop an online help system for an internal sales-lead database. Led a training session for in-house technical support to orient them to new application.

·    Worked closely with engineers to improve the user interface.

·    Developed documentation team's writing guidelines and standards.

 

Tom Sawyer Software, Technical Writing Manager (staff)

Feb 1996–Jun 1999

 

·    Used Microsoft Project to develop documentation schedules and coordinate them with engineering schedules.

·    Managed and mentored a junior writer.

·    Developed writing style guidelines, document review process, templates, and style sheets.

·    Worked with engineers to write programmer's guides and API reference manuals using FrameMaker.

·    Used Acrobat Distiller and Webworks Publisher to create PDF and HTML versions of manuals.

·    Created a context-sensitive help system for product demo using Forehelp.

·    Provided content for sales and marketing collateral.

·    Worked with graphic designers and printers to produce manuals, CD packaging, and brochures.

·    Created illustrations using FrameMaker, Illustrator, and Tom Sawyer Software products and converted them to high-resolution images for marketing and documentation projects.

·    Performed software and installation testing.

·    Participated in employee recruiting, interviewing, hiring, and performance reviews.

Special Projects:

·    Part of team to develop staffing policy, job titles, and descriptions.

·    Worked with company executives on business plan. Wrote and edited content, created figures and graphics, and coordinated reviews.

·     Part of team to redesign corporate website. Wrote and implemented all technical content for new site. 

COMPUTER SKILLS

 

 

·    Operating Systems: Microsoft Windows and Macintosh.

·    Software: Microsoft Office and Project, RoboHelp, ForeHelp, WebWorks Publisher, Adobe FrameMaker and Acrobat, Visio, TestTrack Pro, Bugzilla, and CVS.

EDUCATION

 

 

·    B.A. English Literature and Certificate in Technical Writing, CSU Chico

·     C Language Programming (Grade: A), UC Berkeley Extension

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

 

 

·     Member of Society for Technical Communication. Berkeley chapter volunteer Employment Manager (Nov 2004–present).