Editors, Writers & Grammarians – this one’s for you

Editors, writers, and cranky grammarians, don’t miss this opportunity to clean up your language and help better guide those who just can’t find the right words.

In a special MEA interactive Q&A session, author and linguist Jila Ghomeshi will answer your burning questions about grammar, punctuation, how we use words (correctly and incorrectly), the politics of language, and why it all matters!

An associate professor of linguistics at the University of Manitoba, Ms. Ghomeshi recently wrote Grammar Matters, The Social Significance of How We Use Language. She has published many pieces on language and grammar, and had a radio column on linguistics for CBC Manitoba for two years.

Date: Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Time: 7:00 – 9:00 pm.
Location: Millenium Library (Anhang Room).
Cost: $15 for everyone
Refreshments: Coffee & cookies will be served.
RSVP: Please let us know if you intend to come so we can plan accordingly. Thanks!

Open to MEA members and non-members; please submit questions in advance to Ms. Ghomeshi at: linguistghomeshi@gmail.com

Contact meaworkshops@gmail.com to let us know you’re coming.

Do you know anyone who has been fired because of a breach of e-mail etiquette? Do you know what companies expect? There are things you should know that can affect a company’s processes and legal liabilities, not to mention the basics of etiquette that everyone should know.

At the next MEA Whine & Dine on Thursday, April 12^th, come learn about e-mail etiquette while enjoying food and friends at The Old Spaghetti Factory at The Forks.

Kirby Gilman will cover the following about e-mails:

• Using, To, Cc, and Bcc
• Professionalism
• Subject lines
• Formatting
• Spam and chain emails

We’ll see you at our usual time of 11:45 am – 1 pm. Please RSVP to this address so we can give the restaurant ample notice with our reservation. If you’re busy answering all those e-mails and forget to RSVP, show up anyway, and we’ll fit you in!

Kirby Gilman is a freelance editor and technical writer and is the current Events Chair for the MEA. She has a love/hate relationship with computers and e-mails: she loves their efficiency, but there is always so much to learn! Luckily, MEA Whine & Dines make learning a pleasure.

Date: Thursday, April 12, 2012
Time: 11:45 am – 1:00-ish
Location: The Old Spaghetti Factory at The Forks
Cost: Just the price of your lunch.
RSVP: Please let us know if you intend to come so we reserve a large enough table.

As always, visit the MEA website at http://www.manitobaeditors.ca/upcoming_events.htm for the complete story.

Job Title: Instructional Designer
Department: Home Office
Number of Positions: 1
Location: 116 Nature Park Way, Winnipeg, MB
Job Type: Contract
Professional Areas: Information Systems
Salary Range: $12.00 – $15.00 hourly, depending on qualifications
How to Apply: Apply via the Dufresne Web site

We are one of Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies!

The Dufresne Group (TDG) has created a strong reputation for great product assortments and providing home furnishing solutions to the Canadian consumer built on a foundation of service excellence. For 25 years Dufresne has continued to stand on our promise of “A Better Experience”.

With 23 stores across Canada, TDG continues to place a high value on respect and integrity with our customers, our employees and our suppliers. Passionately focused on our customers, hard working and results oriented, we are proud to be one of “Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies” for over 10 years making us a an elite member of the Platinum club.

We are currently seeking an Instructional Designer for a 6-month contract position for our home office located at 116 Nature Park Way, Winnipeg, MB.

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Manager, Training & Development, you will be responsible for the design and development of instructional material for Web-based learning. The successful candidate will have demonstrated experience in needs analysis, project management course development and evaluation skills. This is a 6 month contract position.

Specific job responsibilities will include:

• Analysis and review of existing training programs
• Adapt existing programs to Web-based learning delivery
• Develop and design new programs utilizing blended learning techniques

Qualifications:

• Minimum 2-3 years demonstrated experience in the design and development of Web-based learning (entry level to advanced courses).
• Demonstrated proficiency using authoring tools and multi-media technology (Articulate, Adobe Presenter, etc.).
• Ability to manage multiple projects within short deadlines.
• Bachelors Degree in Education, Instructional Design or equivalent education and experience.
• CTP / CTDP designation is considered an asset.
• Knowledge of LMS / LCMS systems including SCORM / AICC tracking
• Demonstrate initiative and ability to facilitate change
• Demonstrates TDG’s Core Competencies

Dufresne is committed to investing in our employees through world class training programs and a great work environment that solidify our position as an employer of choice. What do we offer?

• Market competitive wages;
• Comprehensive benefits plan, educational assistance program and excellent employee discounts;
• Career growth and continuous development;
• Respectful and family-oriented working environment with strong company values.

We might ask ourselves -
- Who hires technical communicators in Winnipeg?
- Where can we look for work and what are effective ways to search (looking for job ads. making cold calls)?
- How should we market ourselves (social media, networking)?
- What are the tools we can use (resumes, cover letters, portfolios)?

Discussion topic: Looking for Work
Place: Red River College, Princess Street
Time: Tuesday, March 6, 2012, 6:00pm until approx. 7:00pm
Refreshments: Attendees will be responsible for purchasing or bringing their own coffee or other refreshments.
RSVP: Please let Sean know whether you’re planning to attend – we’re curious. You can even just add a comment to this post! Please come even if you haven’t responded to this message.

A partner at Winnipeg’s Fillmore Riley LLP, Raber has specialized in intellectual property and trademark law for more than 20 years.

Millennium Library
Carol Shields Auditorium
251 Donald Street
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
7 – 8:30 p.m.
Free

Presented by the Manitoba Editors’ Association, Manitoba Writers’ Guild, Professional Writers Association of Canada – Manitoba Chapter, Society for Technical Communication – Manitoba Chapter, and Winnipeg Public Library.

See official flyer.

Are you looking to work for an established company where you can showcase your technical writing skills? Are you highly motivated with strong interpersonal skills?

On behalf of our client, we are recruiting for a Technical Publications Specialist. The incumbent will be a graduate of technical college and have a minimum of five years directly related technical writing and or publications experience.

The successful candidate will:

• Create, maintain and publish; Operator’s manual, set-up manuals, parts catalogs, and installation instructions for various products
• Participate in digital photography in support of the aforementioned documents
• Manipulate existing 3D solid model files (Solid Edge) and bitmap files to create illustrations
• Have the ability to write clear and detailed documents using reference materials provided by engineering design staff

Requirements

• Computer skills including:
  • MS Office products
  • Photoshop, Photo Paint or other raster bitmap software program experience
  • Solid Edge modeling design program
  • Arbor Text Editor publishing software program
  • IsoDraw illustration software program
• Strong Communication skills
• Ability to work well within a team
• Experience in publishing documents for CD or Web use would be considered an asset
• A farm background and mechanical aptitude would be an asset

This role will appeal to an individual with excellent communication skills and multitasking abilities, has a positive attitude and is very energetic. If you have the organizational and interpersonal skills, are a team player and interested in learning more about this opportunity please forward your resume to Tracey.Keen@mnp.ca or 204-336-6249.

The original job posting can be found here.

Princess Auto is committed to providing an outstanding shopping experience for our guests. To contribute to that experience, the Technical Writer will write, edit and proofread product manuals that are accurate, reader-friendly and contain the necessary information so guests can operate the product safely and effectively. After assembling the manual contents, the Technical Writer provides the content to a member of the design team for layout.

In fulfilling this function, the Technical Writer will:

• Track house-branded items that require manuals as directed by the Packaging Coordinator
• Communicate with vendors to obtain item information
• Work with the buying teams to ensure the manual content is accurate and enhances the shopping experience for the guest
• Supply French manual copy, using translation services as necessary
• Proof manuals created by vendor or in-house designer
• Ensure that deadlines are met so that proper manuals are ready in time for the shipment of house-branded items
• Assist the packaging technician with packaging content as necessary
• Communicate all significant developments in manuals to the Packaging Coordinator and work with the Packaging Coordinator to improve the process
• Conduct audits of our house-brand packaging/manuals on a regular basis

The Technical Writer will possess the following attributes:

• Strong written skills – familiar with technical terms and able to construct reader-friendly phrases in both languages with proper grammar and spelling
• Training in a Communications program or comparable education/work experience (e.g. manual/report writing, process documentation)
• Advanced knowledge of Princess Auto product lines and willingness to expand that knowledge base
• Superior organizational skills
• Initiative to seek improvement to all aspects of manuals
• Commitment to the team
• Proofreading skills
• Ability to cope with changes in Marketing Communications strategies and processes
• Familiar with MS Office

The following abilities would be an asset to the Technical Writer:

• Process Management: creating a better way to carry out a process, implementing it, getting others to adhere to it
• Problem-solving skills
• French language skills, especially written
• Experience creating/editing databases, running reports, writing queries, etc.
• Capable of taking media-ready photographs using a professional camera

What our Unique World can offer you:

• Competitive Wage
• Opportunity to participate in a profit sharing plan
• A positive and supportive workplace
• Opportunity to make a difference and inspire others
• Opportunity for advancement
• Training and personal and professional development
• A generous, company-paid benefits package including:
  • Dental
  • Medical
  • Prescription drug plan
• Company pension plan
• Store discount

If you are interested in applying for this opportunity, please submit a cover letter and resume outlining your qualifications to:

Mail: Princess Auto Ltd, 475 Panet Rd, Winnipeg, MB R2C 2Z1
E-mail: careers@princessauto.com
Online: www.princessauto.com
Fax: (204) 654-5256

What’s your idea of a great workplace?

Somewhere that nurtures your unique talents. A place where you’ll know you’re succeeding and your career can grow. Where you’ll share a higher calling: protecting people from risk on the road. A place that respects you at work – and encourages you to have a life outside it. Somewhere that embraces the future, and takes pride in its past. We’re Manitoba Public Insurance!

Manager, Technical Communications

As the Manager of Technical Communications, you will work with a team of knowledge management professionals, and be responsible for the development and maintenance of business information related to products, services, and business processes for our staff and business partners. Your focus will be in directing the development of procedures, business rules, and other online reference information using innovative methods and leading edge technology.

Responsibilities

• Direct the creation of a consolidated body of corporate business information about our products, services and business processes, including the ongoing development and maintenance of online reference materials.
• Manage information portfolios, each targeting specific lines of business or organizational focus.
• Manage strategic and tactical divisional and departmental projects involving extended project teams.
• Provide recommendations to improve products and services.
• Research, develop, and maintain sound content development methodologies.
• Govern and direct the development and application of technical communication standards.
• Manage a team of technical writers and editors.

Education

• University degree in business, information management or a related field
• Completion of additional coursework in project management an asset

Experience

• Seven years of related experience defining and documenting policies and procedures
• Three years of experience in directing or managing projects
• Three years of supervisory experience

Special skills

• Superior writing and leadership skills
• Solid strategic and critical thinking abilities
• Strong conceptual and problem solving skills
• Experience writing business rules, policies and procedures

Interested? Apply with your resumé before November 23rd, 2011

For a full description of these jobs, and to apply online visit: http://careers.mpi.mb.ca. If you have specific questions about the posting, you can call 204-985-1635. However, applications must be submitted online.

We believe diversity strengthens us. As our aim is a workforce that reflects the communities we serve, we encourage all to apply. Our sincere thanks to each of you for applying. We will contact those we’re considering for an interview.