George Thatcher

ABOUT ME Name: George Thatcher Address: Brookfield (Southwest Melton), Melbourne, 3338, VIC Email:-Mobile:- Status: Permanent Australian resident, New Zealand national. Primary Work Skills: Technical Writer, Business Writer, eLearning & Content Provider, Article and Blog Writer, Editor, Freelance Journalist, Transcriptionist, Software Trainer, CMS Developer, Data and Reporting Analyst, Researcher CV Last Updated: March 6th 2018. ADVANCED SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE AREAS Technical Writing roles: • Worked in a mid to senior technical writing capacity since 2002. 15 years experience. • Have operated a sole trader and publishing business, have written for numerous online businesses, offered consultancy services involving documentation, writing, training, transcription. • Adept at using different and complex technical writing tools, including Author IT, Madcap Flare, RoboHelp. • Write, edit and publish content according to different audiences. • Ability to create content across multiple outputs (Web HTML, Web Responsive HTML, docs, pdf, ebook etc) • Documentation scope includes:      • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Product based (software applications, device usage instructions, RF equipment, hardware). Instructional/tutorial based (eLearning, training course material). Procedure/process based (operational plans, instructions, policies and procedures, disaster recovery, evacuation and emergency). Governance based (COBIT and ITIL methodologies, ISO, Ministerial Standing Directions). Reporting and Data Analysis. Research material, interview SME's, to construct content. Familiar with different internal CMS, web portals, intranets, CRM’s, knowledge bases. Proficient with building website environments from scratch. CMS development experience includes: PHP-Fusion, WordPress, Joomla and Drupal. Currently work with PHP-Fusion and WordPress. CRM/ERP exposure: Microsoft Dynamic NAV, Bitrix24 Cloud based Project Management tools (Asana, CapsuleCRM, Trello, Redbooth) Business Intelligence Tools: ZAP BI for Microsoft Dynamic NAV. DMS experience: including SharePoint, Documentum. Experience with mySQL and MSSQL database administration. Editing of mySQL tables, HTML and CSS files, and other configuration files for the web. Building instructional videos using tools: Adobe Captivate, Camtasia, Active Presenter, OpenShot. Software Trainer capability (Author IT, Linux distributions). Software Tester/QA capability. Data Analyst role, working with large datasets in mySQL, MSSQL and Dynamic NAV environments. Report writing, using MS Access, Excel, Crystal Reports. Manage third party suppliers (printing, tech support, foreign language translations). Manage media contacts, re: dissemination of press releases and articles. Other Technical and non Technical Roles: • Variety of Commercial support roles (FMIS – budgeting/reporting, Marketing, IT). • ICT Systems Administration (50-100 user sites), plus onsite Field Engineer roles. • Previous staff management experience (mentoring, performance managing etc). • Project manage property/building contracts, • Project manage IT SLA’s and commissioned studies. Freelance roles (examples): • Sports websites for Tennis and Horse Racing. Clients include Australian TAB, Luxbet.com, Digital Crowds, GlobeFrog, BettingAdda.com (UK), BetforFree.com.au. • Testing and proofing for new Cloud website: AppsAtCloud.com (NZ) • Social media coordinator for NZ based pricing website: priceme.co.nz. • Transcription service for many small Upwork/Elance clients. • Website design for small Australian businesses, including: sunwestremovals.com.au. • Website design and PHP Fusion maintenance for music portal: https://glorydazemusic.com. • Data analysis and Excel build in the Human Resources workspace: thecreche.com.au (Michael Carew). • Manage meta-data libraries in the Audio/Video workspace. EDUCATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT • Diploma in Journalism (NZ Institute Of Business Studies, Auckland-) • Author IT Software Trainer -) • Linux Desktop Trainer (2007- current) Variety of management and personal development training and health/safety courses over the years. STRENGTHS • Understands and adapts to both public sector and private sector environments, having spent time in both. • Working as part of a Software Development team, inclusive of Developers, QA Testers and DBA’s. • Able to understand new concepts in very quick time. • Meets deadlines in conjunction with client requests. • Gregarious personality. Ability to relate to people at all levels. • Works to establish strong relationships with internal and external customers. • Achieves high quality outputs. • Uses today’s modern tools to embellish technical writing role (audio, smartphone, camera, screen cam). • Enjoys problem solving, including: analysis, and continuous improvement strategies. INTERESTS • All aspects of writing and publishing. • Sustainable housing and living. Tiny Houses, Off The Grid Living. • Crypto currencies and blockchain. TIMELINE Contract Technical Writer [Environment Protection Authority (EPA) ], CBD Duration: November 2017 – January 2018 Company Profile: The EPA is Victoria’s regulator for environmental protection. Role: Develop new policy and procedure documentation, or edit/update existing content. Build a repository of Risk, Integrity and Business Continuity documentation, that will form part of EPA’s Business Continuity Management Plan. Update training materials/assets around fraud, corruption and conflict of interest strategies. Tools Used: Microsoft Office Major Clients: Dept of Treasury and Finance, Dept of Environment, Land, Water, Planning Work Type: Edit and/or create documentation, develop slide decks in Powerpoint for training materials. Departure: Short term contract only, to end of Jan 2018. Contract Technical Writer [Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) ], CBD Duration: September 2017 – November 2017 Company Profile: The VCAA is the state’s curriculum developer of Year 11/12 study courses. Role: Tabulate and organise VCAA audit results from 2017 Year 11 and Year 12 surveys. Tools Used: Microsoft Office, Qualtrics Online Survey Platform Major Clients: VCAA stakeholders, Victorian High Schools and Educational Bodies. Work Type: Work with exported Word documents out of the Qualtrics system. Some analysis in Excel. Departure: Short term contract only, to November 2017. Freelance Writer + Misc Duration: July 2016 – September 2017 Activity: Freelance Writing, Web Design, Content Management work, Write a Book, Full-time Study. Contract Technical Writer [Bureau of Meteorology], CBD Duration: April 2016 – June 2016 Company Profile: The Bureau is the main provider of weather and forecast data in Australia. Role: Document the new Atlas Web application, being developed for commercial clients. Tools Used: Web Browser GUI, Microsoft Office, Rocket Chat. Major Clients: Sydney Water, Rio Tinto. Work Type: Product based - application use ‘how to’. Departure: Short term contract only. Data and Reporting Analyst [Toxfree, Remote Work, Melbourne, Full time Consultant] Duration: April 2015 – Feb 2016 (Moved from Perth to Melbourne at the conclusion of Perth contract during March 2015, see below) Company Profile: Toxfree is one of Australia's leading Waste Management Services companies, and manage numerous waste management contracts across Australia.. Role: Build reports and provide data analysis for both Toxfree and its client base. Test new functionality of plugin’s provided by Toxfree’s software development partner: Fenwick Software. Tools Used: Microsoft Dynamic NAV, Microsoft Office. Major Clients: Chevron. Work Type: Reporting and Analysis (Microsoft Dynamic NAV and MS Excel) Departure: Contract conclusion, as client (Chevron) went live. Technical Writer [Toxfree, Bibra Lake, Perth, Full time contract] Duration: Aug 2014 – Mar 2015 Full-time Contractor, Aug 2014-Mar 2015 based in Perth. Company Profile: Toxfree is one of Australia's leading Waste Management Services companies. Toxfree is subcontracted to Chevron, and manages the removal of all waste materials from Barrow Island (Gorgon Gas/LNG Project), as part of the Chevron/Toxfree contract. Role: I was part of the project team involved with implementing the 'Wastefree' system for the Chevron/Toxfree contract. My role was: Technical Writing all the procedures and training material related to 'Wastefree', a customised application using Microsoft's NAV13, built into Toxfree's ERP/CRM system. Tools Used: Microsoft Dynamic NAV, Microsoft Office. Major Clients: Chevron Work Type: Product based (Wastefree Training Manual), Procedures, Truck Driver instructions for using handheld scanners and configuration of these. Departure: Moved to Melbourne permanently. Freelance Work + Misc Duration: April 2014 – Aug 2014 Activity: Freelance Writing, transcription, software testing, furniture removalist. Technical Writer [Risk Management Technologies Ltd, West Perth, Perth, Full time Permanent] Duration: Dec 2012 to Mar 2014 (full-time, permanent) Company Profile: RMT is Australia's leading provider of risk management solutions, it’s products are the 'ChemAlert' application/product, and 'First Priority' risk framework product. Role: Manage all technical writing and eLearning content for the ChemAlert product. Tools Used: Adobe Technical Communication Suite (Robo Help 10, Captivate 5.5 and 6.0), Active Presenter eLearning app, Reload SCORM Editor, Moodle LMS, Snag-It, One Note, MS Office 2013, Audacity audio app, Team Track (QA and bug tracking), First Priority DMS. Major Clients: Department of Defence, Curtin University, Department of Health, many others. Work Type: Product based - ChemAlert Operational Online Helpfile (Adobe RoboHelp), Instructional – ChemAlert e-learning packages (Adobe Captivate app). Departure: Take up sole trader employment, working from home freelance, between April and August 2014. Contract Technical Writer [Honeywell/Matrikon, Burswood, Perth, Full time Contract] Duration: Apr 2011 to Nov 2012 Company Profile: Honeywell is one of the leading IT Support organisations in the world, involved across many industries particularly in energy and resources. Matrikon the same, though they were bought out by Honeywell in June 2010. I was initially employed by Matrikon for this contract role. The Mine to Port project is a supply-chain application managing the flow of coal products from various mines to coal export terminals in North East Queensland. It also integrates with ERP systems such as 1SAP. The system is a combination of user interface and automated integration from other peripheral sub-systems. Role: Design product and configuration documentation related to the contract project 'Mine to Port'. Tools Used: Author IT (technical writing application), Snag-It, Treepad, MS Office, Paint Shop Pro, Silverlight, Atlassian JIRA, Honeywell DMS Major Clients: BMA (BHP Billiton and Mitsubishi Alliance), Abbot Point Coal Export Terminal. Work Type: Product based – Mine to Port Online Helpfile. Departure: Company restructure, work shifted to Honeywell’s Bangalore office. Joined RMT. Technical Writer [Soft Tech NZ Ltd, Auckland, NZ], [remote full time from Western Australia] Duration: May 2003-Mar 2004 (perm full-time, Auckland, NZ) Apr 2005-Dec 2007 (contract, part time, Wellington, NZ) Jan 2008 to Mar 2011 (perm fulltime, NZ and Australia). Company Profile: Soft Tech is an Oracle Partner and Software House. It sells and supports configuration software for the Fenestration industry (building products, walls, glass, joinery, extrusion etc). Software designed in Delphi/Interbase environment, plus .NET environment. Role: Manage all aspects of product documentation for its core products: including the creation of Manuals, User Guides, compiled Help files (CHM), Tutorials, Technical Specifications, Graphics, Marketing Collateral, Diagrams, Schematics and Training material. Manage Intranet content, Newsletters, Media material. Liaise with Software Developers on new code/functionality. Tools Used: Author IT (technical writing application), Treepad, Paint Shop Pro, MS SQL Server, MS Team Foundation Server and many others. Major Clients: Alcoa, Kawneer, Schuco, Assa Abloy, APL, G James Work Type: Product based – Online Helpfiles, Operations Manual, User Guides, API’s. Departure: Role made redundant in 2011 after company restructure. Joined Honeywell on contract a month later. [Note: during this time, I moved to Western Australia from New Zealand, permanently in November 2008.] Ad-Hoc Contract Technical Writer [Wordsworth IS, Wellington, NZ] Duration: March 2004 to Dec 2007 (adhoc basis) Company Profile: Wordsworth IS provides a value added component to Corporate business throughout NZ. This usually involves the placement of Business and System Analysts, Technical Writers, Change Managers. Role: To assist Wordsworth IS client base revolving around technical documentation. Clients: Bexhill Funding Group, Tranz Rail - Interislander Ferry, AffiniText, Egan Valuers, MetaOffice. Tools Used: Microsoft Office, Author IT (technical writing application). Work Type: Mostly product based documentation, Word documents plus Online Helpfiles. Departure: Returned to full-time work with Softtech.