The Irony of It All...

On the day that I noticed this job ad, which asks for experience with Info Mapping, DITA, XML and tools such as FrameMaker, oXygen, and XMetal also asks for "strong/expert skills" in tools not known for using structured authoring: MS Word, MS Publisher, and Adobe Acrobat. And, just as a point of reference, ACT was one of the companies I was interested in joining after I was laid off from Pearson. Obviously, this could certainly be a different opening, but it's funny (to me) that both Transamerica & ACT "passed" on me, at the time, and now both companies seek technical writers. I do especially love this line in the job description below - Ability to create content for reuse in different formats—documents, apps, training, etc. - as it is something I would include in a job description if I were able to hire a second technical writer to work with me. No, that's not even on the radar, just a side / interesting thought. I would also require experience with RoboHelp.

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Senior Technical Writer, Product Delivery & Implementation

ACT, Inc.

Iowa City, IA

This role writes content for external consumption, primarily documents, emails and web content, for the operational fulfillment of ACT programs. This content explains the administration of ACT programs to different audiences, including testing staff, educators at the school and district levels, and students.

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Typical work-related activities include:

• Perform writer, editor and layout functions for content
• Creating and updating content that helps students, parents, educators, and counselors prepare for testing, participate in testing, and interpret testing results
• Coordinating input from numerous sources on complex, large-scale programs with multiple stakeholders and ensuring consistency in messaging and appearance
• Creating and updating content that helps test administrators prepare for testing, administer tests, and perform posttest activities
• Provide editing services
• Proofreading copy for quality control including grammar, punctuation, and style in accordance with the editorial style guide

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related discipline required
• Master’s degree preferred
• Or an equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and abilities can be acquired

Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years of professional writing and/or content development experience
• Experience with structured authoring, e.g., Information Mapping or DITA XML (strongly desired)
• Experience with structured authoring tools such as Adobe FrameMaker, oXygen, XMetaL, or a component content management system (CCMS) (strongly desired)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong/expert skills in Microsoft Word, Microsoft Publisher, and Adobe Acrobat
• Ability to create content for reuse in different formats—documents, apps, training, etc.
• Ability to adapt to new technologies and new/evolving communication channels

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I see this in my CBJ Business Daily email:

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ACT begins realignment in Commercial Division 

Iowa City-based ACT informed employees this week about a new realignment in its Commercial Division that will include job cuts, transfers and some new positions.

The realignment was made as the nonprofit assessment organization began its fiscal year, and "in an effort to streamline operations and better serve our customers," spokesman Ed Colby said in an emailed statement. He said the changes are part of ACT's new approach to providing sales and support across its products and services.

The company did not disclose the number of employees that would be affected or file an Iowa WARN Act notice. The latter is typically required 30 days before a layoff event affecting 25 or more full-time employees.

ACT in February said it would cut 100 jobs, and in July announced the elimination of 23 jobs as part of an outsourcing effort launched in 2016.

The company announced last week that it has agreed to acquire the automated item generation (AIG) technology of MGHL Consulting Ltd. Terms of that deal have not been disclosed. 

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Life goes on though, right?

RIGHT!!!!