Rebecca Lyons
Aurora, CO **012
************@*******.***
SUMMARY
Technical writer and editor with more than 15 years of experience. Scientific and technical background. Available as freelance, contractor, or permanent employee, onsite or offsite. Wrote and edited documentation for executive, technical, and general audiences. Worked in concert with SMEs and business managers. Taught editing and writing classes and trained other writers. Works with minimal supervision. Learns new skills and software easily.
SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
• Technical writing and web content
• Scientific, business, and technical editing
• HTML coding
• Website support and maintenance
• Ghostwriting
• Instructional design
• Training
• Lesson materials and teaching
• Electronic learning and online materials
• User guides and software manuals
• Freelance writing – articles, fiction, and book reviews
• Project management
• Manuscript evaluation, as associate editor of a small press magazine
• Information mapping
• Document quality control
• Speechwriting
• Knowledge of Chicago, AP, and APA style guides and standard proofreader’s marks
SOFTWARE
Internet Explorer, Netscape, MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, Access, Project), WordPerfect, PageMaker, Quark Xpress, HTML, Adobe Photoshop, iAuthor (similar to Authorware), SnagIt, Interwise (graphics), Visio, Adobe FrameMaker, Book Collector (book inventory software)
EDUCATION
BA Chemistry, Roosevelt University, Chicago, Illinois
• Supporting work in biology, biochemistry, physics, statistics, calculus, electronics, and cartography
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Freelance Writer and Editor (1990 – present)
• Wrote novels, short stories, articles
• Evaluated and edited manuscripts
• Created queries (sales letters) and cover letters
• Participated in and moderated panels at book conventions on different aspects of writing and literature
Environment: MS Office/Word, Internet Explorer
Freelance Content Provider (2009 – present)
Writers Research Group
• Wrote articles for Web site on different topics
Environment: MS Office/Word, Internet Explorer
Student Test Evaluator (April – May 2008)
AppleOne (contractor)
Denver, Colorado
• Evaluated and scored student essay questions
Environment: Proprietary software
Technical Communications Specialist (October 2004 – November 2007)
AT&T (contractor for Sapphire Technologies)
Denver, Colorado
• Wrote and edited business and technical documents
• Ghostwrote speeches, e-mails, and announcements for managers
• Managed document quality control
• Performed Web site support
• Wrote and edited web content
• Generated monthly reports and document measurements
• Wrote for, edited, and formatted monthly department newsletter
• Trained other writers
Environment: MS Office/Word/Excel/PowerPoint/Publisher, HTML, Visio, Intranet
User Guide Writer (September 2004)
Intelagard (contractor)
Broomfield, Colorado
• Wrote, formatted, and edited user guide for fire suppression equipment
Environment: MS Office/Word
Proofreader (July 2004)
The Children’s Hospital (contractor)
Denver, CO
• Edited and proofread documents for the Quality Performance department
Environment: MS Office/Word
eBook Editor (January – February 2004)
SourceBeat
Aurora, Colorado
• Edited online computer books for sense, grammar, and usage
Environment: MS Office/Word, PageMaker, Internet
Technical Writer (October 2003)
Quest Communications (contractor)
Denver, Colorado
• Revised proposal for Corporate Compliance department
Environment: MS Office/Word
Instructional Designer (June – September 2003)
Accenture University (contractor for Analysts International)
Highlands Ranch, Colorado
• Wrote and edited instructor-led and online training modules for call center software
• Created information mapping
• Placed graphic elements
Environment: MS Office/Word/Excel/PowerPoint/Project, iAuthor, SnagIt, Interwise, proprietary call center software, Intranet
Technical Writer (February – May 2003)
Ciber Inc.
Greenwood Village, Colorado
• Wrote and revised internal business and technical documents
Environment: MS Office/Word/Excel/PowerPoint
Technical Writer (September 2001 – November 2002)
JF Sato and Associates
Littleton, Colorado
• Wrote, edited, and formatted for environmental consulting firm:
o Proposals
o Technical reports
o Environmental impact statements
o Environmental assessments
o NEPA documents
• Conferred with scientists performing investigations
Environment: MS Office/Word/Excel/PowerPoint/Access
Software Documentation Writer (May – August 2001)
Quark, Inc.
Denver, Colorado
• Wrote, edited, and formatted user guide for internal order inventory software
• Placed screen shots into documentation
Environment: Quark Xpress, MS Office/Word, SnagIt
Technical Information Specialist (October 1998 -- May 2001)
Qwest Communications (contractor for Philips Personnel)
Denver, Colorado
• Transferred fiber optic data from CAD drawings into spreadsheets
Environment: MS Office/Word/Excel, AutoCAD
Administrative Assistant (May – September 1997)
TIAA – CREF, Denver, Colorado (contractor)
• Transcribed documents and spreadsheets for Change Management department
• Edited and proofread documents for department
Environment: MS Office/Word/Excel/PowerPoint/Access
Instructor, Writing and Editing (1996-1997)
Colorado Free University
Denver, Colorado
• Prepared lessons and handouts for fiction writing and writing improvement classes
• Lectured on editing and writing
• Wrote and participated in interactive writing exercises with students
Environment: MS Office/Word
Editorial Assistant (Geology) (September 1991 – June 1994)
Geological Society of America
Boulder, Colorado
• Edited scientific papers for peer-reviewed science journal
• Performed manuscript tracking
• Managed book review process
• Proofed galleys and blue sheets
• Edited illustrations and made suggestions for improvement
• Conferred with editors and authors
• Attended company seminars on geological subjects
Environment: MS Office/Word/Excel/PowerPoint/Access, manuscript tracking software