Location: UK - London NW4

Job Status: Permanent Position (Travel)

Interview Date:  ASAP

Start Date: ASAP

Open To: EU citizen or UK work permit holder

Job Overview: A fast-growing upstream energy industry software and services company, is seeking a Technical Author to take responsibility for writing their documentation for a geoscience application and database system.

Since the mid-1990s, the company has been developing network and web-based systems to resolve large and complex data management issues, for petrophysicists, geologists and engineers in the upstream oil and gas industry.

The company's flagship software system is classed as the world-standard for well bore data management. It gives geoscientists complete access to a broad range of well bore data - including petrophysical logs, dip meter and core data - to make informed decisions. It is estimated that more than 70 percent of the world's log data is stored in their system, whose functionality continues to be extended to meet client demand.

Due to the continued success of this system, there is a need to formalise the style and branding of related documentation. Currently documentation is written by developers and technical managers and different styles exist. A more cohesive approach is required. Working with internal staff and clients, a primary responsibility will be to develop and formalise a house style and to adopt this style in all written documentation for the system, be it hardcopy manuals or online training tutorials. You will be supported by the product manager and developers with regard to all technical content.

Applications are welcome from graduates or experienced individuals with a proven flare for writing technical content. The company is aware that you may not have all the necessary skills or geoscience background, and is committed to providing all necessary training. The key requirements are willingness to learn, flexibility and desire to undertake the role and succeed.

Responsibilities:Your role will include the following:

• Working within the Support Group for the company's petrotechnical software applications and database system, you will be responsible for all documentation relating to this system.
• Liasing closely with the Product Manager and Development team for this system, collate and understand all current documentation and any proposed copy for new releases.
• Working with clients, understand their preferences for documentation.
• Develop the house style for company documentation.
• Revise current documentation and write all new copy accordingly.
• Develop and maintain supportive marketing materials that will utilise some of this documentation.
• Help in developing software workflows for demonstrations at conferences, and client site evaluations.
• Investigate what is required by clients for web-based training and help in developing appropriate solutions.
• Re-develop online documentation, including "Getting Started" tutorials, context-sensitive help and system work flows.
• Implement and enhance documentation standards, working with the QA and Delivery groups to ensure quality documentation is delivered on-time to customers.

This is a great opportunity for an intelligent, self-motivated individual with a technical background and some copy writing experience, to take ownership of all system documentation. Scope exists to influence and develop further online and offline communication tools for clients.

Preferences: The successful candidate will have:

• A science degree essential - preferably in earth science or petroleum engineering, or equivalent.
• Proven technical writing skills essential. This may be writing for a journal, technical reports or documentation, or technical training content.
• Web authoring skills highly desirable.
• Strong written and verbal communications skills in the English language essential; must be able to capture technical content and convey it to customers in a clear and interesting manner.
• Knowledge or experience of petrophysical or geological interpretation systems, or exploration or production data types, advantageous but training will be provided.
• Strong IT background advantageous - with knowledge of office based systems and web based technologies.
• Proactive approach in ensuring documentation is collated and written on-time.
• Good project management skills advantageous, with the ability to prioritise competing demands for documentation - e.g., online, hardcopy, and marketing.
• Highly flexible - ability to adapt to new challenges.
• Must be a good team player.
• Self-motivated, capable of working unsupervised and achieving objectives within agreed deadlines.

Package: : An attractive salary of between £27K - £35K (GBP) is on offer, dependent on skills and experience. Benefits include: 25 days' paid vacation per year, contributory pension scheme and free private health care and disability cover.

Working Smart Ltd., International Petroleum Recruitment Consultancy, PetroTech House, Francis Place, Pirbright, Surrey, GU24 OJU, UK. Tel: +44 (0) 1483 481141 Fax: +44 (0) 1483 799738