Technical Writer
Resume:
Eugene (Gino) Dykstra
Beaverton OR 97008
SUMMARY
I have a proven record of handling any and all writing and publication requirements from initial inception and development, editing, illustration – all the way through the final publication process. I’ve worked with a vast array of document requirements from company operations manuals, floor assembly instructions, product description and repair, posters, flyers, library development documents, consumer how-to manuals and more. Typically, I am responsible for my own illustrations, so have advanced skills in computer graphics, industrial photography, and creative layout and design. I have developed my own computer fonts when requested and I’ve even hand drawn a comic strip to help explain a specific assembly procedure! WORK HISTORY
October 2023 – Present Technical Writer, Bowflex
• Updating and creating Customer Owner/Assembly manuals for complex exercise systems using InDesign and Adobe Illustrator. CAD materials incorporated into documents using SolidWorks CAD system.
Sept 2022 – August 2023 Technical Writer, MegaFluid Systems
• Updating complex FrameMaker customer user manuals for all manufactured systems.
• Creating new user manuals for new systems utilizing FrameMaker.
• Creating graphic advertising material for sales department using a variety of programs. Dec 2021 –Sept 2022 Technical Document Specialist, Sigma Design
• Creating equipment and operational documentation with emphasis on safety issues.
• Working on prototype documentation as development processes change and develop.
• Analyzing documentation needs and operational guidelines for operational expansion.
• Assisting in improving safety processes company-wide and ensuring OSHA compliance at all levels.
Jan 2020 – March 2020 Technical Document Specialist, MegaFluid Systems
• Creating equipment and operational documentation with emphasis on safety issues.
• Designed and updated document library.
• Analyzed documentation needs and operational guidelines for operational expansion.
• Assisted in improving safety processes company-wide and ensuring OSHA compliance at all levels. May 2019 – Dec 2019 Technical Documentation Specialist, ProTech
• Created equipment and operational documentation with emphasis on safety issues.
• Designed and updated document library.
• Analyzed documentation needs and operational guidelines for operational expansion.
• Assisted in improving safety processes company-wide and ensuring OSHA compliance at all levels.
• Performed training classes to orient operators to safety and operational documents.
• Researched equipment functions online to ensure accurate documentation processes. Apr 2018-Apr 2019 Technical Writer/ Document Specialist, Eaton Portland Power Center (Contract)
• Created document templates to be utilized for all manufacturing floor documents and forms.
• Created plant document library structure, including labeling and file formatting.
• Created manufacturing Standard Operating Procedures, floor procedures, tool and equipment use, and Final Assembly instructions and other relevant documents for electrical manufacture as well as validated documents and updated as needed.
• Assisted in improving red-tag and other product flow operations, including creating flow charts for tier 1 use.
• Created training PowerPoint presentations for new employees, including use of power systems throughout the plant floor and operational parameters. Jun 2017- Oct 2017 Technical Writer, FamilyCare Health (Contract)
• Created 2018 Medicare/Medicaid Advantage Plans customer documentation following strict CMS guidelines, specifications and requirements. Worked in multiple software suites to create all company-customer interface documents.
Jan 2016- Mar 2017 Engineering Technical Writer, Nortek Air Solutions LLC (Contract)
• Created templates for documents, test documents, CAD design modifications, specifications, and customer documents.
• Created in-house manufacturing documentation using 3D graphics programs, computer graphic programs and industrial photography.
• Created posters, flyers and other documents for out-of-house or customer use.
• Edited and cartoon illustrated the corporate handbook for new employees. Mar 2015 –Dec 2015 Technical Writer, Cascade Controls NW Inc. (Contract)
• Created floor manufacturing instructions for operators.
• Created new workmanship standards documentation and work instructions per specifications.
• Worked with SMEs, MEs and others to create documents using photographs and extensive computer graphics to illustrate operational requirements and parameters. Feb 2013- Feb 2015 Technical Writer, TE Connectivity (Contract)
• Created new operator’s manuals for the floor manufacturing processes per CAPA and ISO 9001 requirements – involving detail-oriented technical writing, photographic and graphic skills.
• Worked with mechanical, development and sustaining engineers as well as with manufacturing operators to consolidate and verify operational parameters for manufacturing documentation.
• Converted documentation parameters on hundreds of products – three months ahead of schedule.
• Created visual structural aides to assist in training employees.
• Assisted in designing structure for the entire corporate document tree.
• Revised quality control documents and designed and performed validation tests and measurements along with associated documentation.
• Revised inventory parts documentation to reflect changes to 2011/65/EU RoHS standards and moved product to full production – seven months ahead of schedule. 2009-Present Co-Manager, McDonald Trust
• Manage the 43 acre McDonald Nature Preserve in Iowa City, Iowa. Tending to the properties as well as handling budgetary issues.
EDUCATION
Post-Graduate studies, History, University of Iowa Post-Graduate studies, Sociology and English, University of Evansville B.A. in Anthropology, emphasis on Women's Roles, Cross-Cultural, University of Iowa. Also attended the International Writing Workshop at the same institute. Undergraduate Studies, Kirkwood Community College
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
Robnett, MK: Critical Care Nursing: Workforce issues and potential solutions (Critical Care Medicine, 2006) Wibbenmeyer LA, Latenser BA et al: Emergence of community associated methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus infections in a burn trauma unit (American Burn Association, 2007) Chung JY, Burke BA et al: Percutaneous drainage prevents abdominal compartment syndrome in significant thermal injury (American Burn Association, 2007)
Burke BA, Lewis RW et al: Pseudophedrine legislation decreases methamphetamine lab related burns
(American Burn Association, 2007)
Burke BA, Latenser BA: Defining acute abdominal hypertension and abdominal compartment syndrome in acute thermal injury: a multicenter survey (American Burn Association, 2007) Fine Scale Modeler: articles on detailing starship models for movies. Cult TV Man Web site: articles on building, designing and detailing museum replicas. Fantastic Modeling Magazine: articles on the history, production and background of classic models. Journal of the International Plastic Modeling Society: numerous articles pertaining to the design, improvement and production of museum replicas. Example: Backdating the Revell 1:96 scale U.S.S. Kearsarge to Civil War Configuration (Vol 25, 5, 2013)
Webs Basic Gaming System: a reference book for the Webs gaming and role-playing system. Edited, wrote articles and completed graphics and computer graphics for publication. Web of Stars: a reference book for the science fiction expansion on the Webs Basic Gaming System. Edited, wrote articles and completed graphics and computer graphics for publication. Web of Horrors: a reference book for the horror genre expansion on the Webs Basic Gaming System. Edited, wrote articles and completed graphics and computer graphics for publication. Web of Heroes: a reference book for the superhero genre expansion on the Webs Basic Gaming System. Edited, wrote articles and completed graphics and computer graphics for publication. Out 'N About Asheville: wrote articles and created computer generated graphics for this travel magazine. Isaac Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine: short story, "Broken Toys" based on the Ann Quinlan case. The Twinning, by Fritzen Ravenswood, editor.
Definitive Mark Twain editions, University of Iowa Press, 1974, editor. COMPUTER WRITING SKILLS
IBM, Macs and compatibles. Write in FrameMaker, InDesign, Works for Windows, Microsoft Word as well as Amipro, Pages. Do graphic and desktop publishing with Adobe Illustrator, CorelDraw, Photoshop, Publisher, PowerPoint, Fontographer, Visio, OmniGraffle, Access, Office Suite 2000 – 2017 as well as a variety of similar programs. CAD design with SolidWorks. CERTIFICATIONS
Medical Terminology
LEAN Manufacturing Methods – Peak Consulting Group, 3/2015 National Career Readiness Certification – two Platinum, one Gold, 4/27/16 InDesign Training
Adobe Illustrator Training
SolidWorks Training
REFERENCES
Available upon request.
Contact this candidate