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Senior Technical Writer
Feb 2022 - Present (2 years 5 months)
Fulltime contractor, supporting the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of Information and Technology (OIT) Health Services National Clozapine Registry (NCR) Project
As a Senior Technical Writer, I prepare, distribute, and maintain plans, instructions, guidance, and standard operating procedures (SOP) concerning the development of critical infrastructure for the project. In this expanding role, I define and/or implement policies and procedures to ensure protection of critical information as appropriate.
A thorough understanding of system and software development life cycle management and concepts sufficient to understand performance monitoring and methods of complex networks, systems, and devices is required; I employ strong collaborative skills to partner with senior leadership and Subject Matter Experts (SME) to deliver artifacts and requirements on time. I prepare and transcribe customer and executive briefings and meetings to inform valued stakeholders of mission-critical updates and progress and escalate risks and vulnerabilities as appropriate.
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Special Projects Asst to VA Director
Jan 2021 - Jan 2022 (1 year)
VA GS-2210-13 Federal employee
June 2021—January 2022: SSS Department Special Projects Assistant and Project Manager in support of evolving activities circumscribing the transition of select personnel roles and responsibilities within the Department, spearheaded a Zero-Based Program Review of all SSS programs/functions which assisted with pivotal leadership strategies, goals, and vision that aligned with increased information-sharing across the VA and with government partners. Managed IT cybersecurity-related programs and projects, developed long-range plans for IT security systems that minimized risks associated with system vulnerabilities, coordinated the implementation of security programs across platforms, and ensured coordination and collaboration on security activities.
January 2021-June 2021: CSSD Business Operations VA Functional Area Project Manager/IT Cybersecurity Specialist—Led four technical writers and contractors assisting three divisions and multiple functional areas in project objectives and goals by identifying, monitoring, and reporting VA security posture to include identifying process improvement opportunities, monitoring system security risks and vulnerabilities, and reporting daily, weekly, and quarterly metrics to senior executives and leadership. Developed program reports, statistical data, and program performance monitors/measures from programs and trends; analyzed, interpreted, and presented information to both large and small audiences in a variety of formats.
[NOTE: This position was funded by COVID funding allocations]
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Team Lead/Snr Tech Writer
Jan 2020 - Jan 2021 (1 year)
CRISP TSS System Security Support team--Led technical writers in support of program deliverables, document QA reviews, technical subject matter expert (SME) reviews, and QA finding resolution.
• Managed program deliverables and supported content change control and records management via the VA SharePoint document collaboration portal, using Adobe Acrobat, MS Word, Visio, and PowerPoint:
‒ Facilitated quality reviews, annual review requirements, OIG audit preparation, and the development of VA artifacts for use by VA healthcare facility personnel and ISSOs
‒ Developed workflows and white papers in support of policy and process improvements
‒ Provided value to stakeholders by defining needs and recommending solutions that delivered value to process improvement, communication management, strategic planning, and policy development
• Provided technical support for desktop publishing activities, in support of the Specialized Device Security Division, Research Support Division, Risk Management, Triage, divisional leadership and Program Support teams, using Visio, PowerPoint, SharePoint, and Adobe Acrobat Professional:
‒ Application functionality troubleshooting, technical content reviews, system topography diagram review and design, PDF form creation and editing, and graphic design
‒ Identified challenges within team operations for the development of long-lasting solutions that built trust and ensured awareness of impediments before they became setbacks
‒ Spearheaded initiatives to improve business operations services and strengthen customer relationships through practical problem solving and cross-team collaboration
‒ Monitored program performance goals and objectives, including independently recommending target dates, planning work to be accomplished, and achieving goals for multiple projects at once
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Visual Information Specialist, Senior Tech Writer
Dec 2014 - Jan 2020 (5 years 1 month)
As the Program Support Team Lead:
• Led a team of technical writers and graphic designers in support of program deliverables, document QA reviews, and technical SME reviews
• Managed program support tasking requests and prioritization, aligning resources to meet client expectations and deadlines
• Prepared complex graphics and other visual aids (using graphic design principles and 508-compliance methodology) for requirements documentation and program support strategy
• Produced dashboard graphics to provide leadership visibility into the team's numerous development activities
• Collaborated with internal customers and external government VA stakeholders to establish timelines
and delivery tracking schedules for projects
• Analyzed documents and gathered information, partnered with SMEs and document owners
• Brought all PowerPoint templates into a unified co-branded look
• Created templates and graphics (using Photoshop, PowerPoint) for quarterly summit sessions
• Responsible for managing strategic communications plans through collaboration with external stakeholders
• Managed, tracked, and assigned tasks in SharePoint to maintain expected document quality
• Developed internal communications vehicles, newsletters, and informational materials; coordinated the development of government stakeholders’ materials
[This position was eliminated when the agency of record did not win the contract re-bid]
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Senior Art Director
CRS
Baltimore, MD
Mar 2013 - Mar 2014 (1 year)
• Researched and developed production timeline workflow for printed annual event fundraising materials
• Partnered with in-house production coordinator to review documents, carefully scrutinize vendor estimate quotes, and offer cost-effective solutions
• Demonstrated outstanding analytical and problem-solving skills
• Managed external contractors and printers, using knowledge of current offset and digital printing technology
• Prepared multi-lingual content for production, as well as copyediting text for finished materials
• Maintained project and digital asset files in accordance with established storage and archival protocols
• Mastery of communication principles, methods, practices and techniques and analytical methods. Skill to apply this mastery in developing new methods and approaches in planning, integrating, and evaluating the non-profit's functional program
• Designed, implemented, and managed multiple and ongoing programs and projects; directed the related resources, personnel, and activities to achieve the common goals as set by the Departments’ Director
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Corporate Electronic Publishing Specialist
T. Rowe Price
Owings Mills, MD
Jan 2012 - Feb 2013 (1 year 1 month)
As a contractor in this role, I:
• Designed graphics using PowerPoint, followed strict design protocols
• Assisted leadership in preparing confidential material
• Tasked with reviewing, correcting, and proofreading large-volume documents
• Collaborated with peers and presented redesigned sales team collateral to be distributed to a national audience
• Acquired and exchanged technical and non-technical information to clarify points with colleagues and leadership
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Creative Director, MarComm
Spacenet, Inc, a division of Gilat
McLean, VA
May 2011 - Jan 2012 (8 months)
• Within this billion-dollar international corporation, partnered with the Director of Marketing and Corporate Development to outline marketing goals, launch new initiatives, document requirements, form business strategies, and supervise contractors and vendors
• Supervised external agency to rebrand website, created and shared wireframes to demonstrate leadership requests. Used web content management system for website maintenance
• Edited provided content for clarity and on-brand messaging; developed content as needed
• Analyzed documented information to understand requirements for new product lines, consolidated that knowledge into sales-driven promotional materials
• Adjusted scope and reach for campaigns, based upon feedback and other metrics
• Converted internal client scope of work into proof of concept reflective of brands and target markets
[This US branch of this international company closed its doors in January 2012]
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Art Director / Senior Designer
Valador, Inc.
Herndon, VA
Sep 2010 - Dec 2011 (1 year 3 months)
As a consultant, I concepted, designed, and managed production of high-profile government agency (NASA) annual reports and findings. One report was presented to the White House
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Art Director / Senior Designer
Lockheed Martin Corporation
Bethesda, MD
Jul 2009 - May 2011 (1 year 10 months)
As a fulltime contractor, I:
• Worked closely with SMEs and document owners in seven divisions to identify, design, and update existing PowerPoint graphics
• Developed graphics and display signage, co-authored promotional materials, tracked workflow for
large-scale national conventions and demonstration events
• Gathered detailed information (via collaborative conversations and visual cues) to make the necessary adjustments after reviewing graphics with the appropriate document owners
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Art Director, Creative Services
Reveal MedSpa
Vienna, VA
May 2008 - Jul 2009 (1 year 2 months)
• Managed all operational, strategic, financial, and staffing functions for Creative Services division of the Marketing Communications department
• Increased advertising awareness via retail product displays and materials
• Coordinated promotions with inside sales staff to capture the consumer attention with targeted ads and signage
• Developed online and point-of-sale sales messaging for marketing deliverables with the marketing manager
[This company is no longer in business]
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Sr Designer/Sr Account Executive
Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide
Washington, DC
Nov 2006 - May 2008 (1 year 6 months)
As a fulltime senior designer and senior account executive for the Creative Studio / Business Development team, I:
• Created concepts, hands-on design, branding, new business, and presentation development.
Integral part of Business Development team responsible for securing several million-dollar accounts
• Partnered with copywriters and editors to craft and deliver creative solutions
• Provided mentorship to junior designers and interns as needed
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Senior Designer / Project Art Director
Kaiser Permanente Headquarters
Rockville, MD
Aug 2006 - Nov 2006 (3 months)
As a Marketing and Communications consultant, I:
• Managed large campaign-style projects simultaneously, prepared files for print
• Recommended design alternatives to account managers and directors, sought out best
pricing independently
• Provided training on a variety of subjects: production, software, best practices, editing and copywriting,
and brand identity