Technical Writer

Location: Richmond, Virginia
Work Arrangement: Hybrid
Job Type: Contract
Shift: EST
Interview Mode: Phone or In-Person

Position Overview

A public sector agency, the Virginia Department of Elections, is seeking a highly skilled Technical Writer to support a cloud-based software development initiative currently in progress.

This role is critical in translating complex technical information into clear, concise, and user-friendly documentation for both technical and non-technical stakeholders. The selected candidate will contribute to an Agile development environment and play a key role in developing and maintaining documentation standards, including the creation of a comprehensive style guide.

Local candidates preferred. Must be able to work a hybrid schedule in Richmond, Virginia.

A technical writing sample (preferably a style guide) is required at the time of submission. Applications without a writing sample will not be considered.

Key Responsibilities

• Translate complex technical concepts into accessible language for diverse audiences
• Develop, edit, and maintain high-quality documentation including:
  • User guides
  • API documentation
  • Release notes
  • Standard operating procedures
  • Technical manuals
• Author and maintain a comprehensive documentation style guide
• Collaborate with developers, product managers, and subject matter experts (SMEs)
• Support Agile/Scrum development teams with clear documentation deliverables
• Maintain version control and structured documentation review practices
• Ensure documentation meets agency standards, formatting guidelines, and accessibility requirements
• Manage multiple documentation projects and meet established deadlines

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in English, Technical Communication, Computer Science, or related field
• Minimum five (5) years of technical writing experience, preferably in a government or technology environment
• Expert-level proficiency with:
  • MS Word
  • Google Docs
  • Confluence or similar documentation tools
• Proficiency with Adobe Acrobat, SnagIT, or similar visual tools
• Experience with Git or other version control systems
• Experience with documentation platforms such as GitBook or similar
• Strong understanding of Scrum/Agile methodology
• Familiarity with REST APIs, JSON, and software architecture concepts
• Ability to read and interpret code snippets
• Experience creating and maintaining manuals, user guides, SOPs, and structured documentation
• Ability to interview SMEs and distill complex technical information
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with exceptional attention to detail

Highly Desired Skills

• Experience with government documentation standards and accessibility compliance
• Familiarity with diagramming tools such as Lucidchart or Draw.io
• Basic knowledge of programming languages or IT systems
• Experience with UX writing
• Knowledge of Markdown and HTML/CSS
• Experience writing documentation for software products (SaaS, desktop, or mobile)