Job description Technical Writer in the North Central Region

Find out what work is like for a technical writer in Canada. This work description is applicable to all Authors and writers (NOC 51112).

Technical writers

Description

Technical writers write manuals and specifications for publication or presentation. They are employed by governments, large corporations, private consulting firms, publishing firms, and other establishments, or they may be self-employed.

Work week duration

Technical writers usually work between 35 to 40 hours per week.
Between 35 to 40 hours

Job duties

Here are some of the main activities and tasks that Technical writers have to perform, and some of the physical demands they involve:

  • Analyze material, such as specifications, notes and drawings
  • Conduct interviews and research to gather information on a specific field
  • Write, review and update manuals, user guides and other documents to provide instruction and to explain clearly and concisely the installation, operation and maintenance of software and electronic, mechanical and other equipment
  • Develop and maintain help documentation
  • May design and develop training course material
  • May help create content for software products, such as on-screen instructions and error messages.

Physical demands Help - Physical Demands

  • Sitting

Physical demands

Physical demands are the physical activities that the job requires the worker to do. Physical demands are selected according to the likeliness that workers will have to perform them for at least half of the time they spend at work.

Workplaces and employers

Here are the typical workplaces where Technical writers are employed and some of their main characteristics:

  • Advertising agencies
  • Governments
  • Publishing firms
  • Multimedia companies
  • Self-employed
  • Large corporations
  • New-media companies

Work environment Help - Physical Work Environment

  • Indoors, environmentally controlled

Physical proximity from others Help - Physical proximity from others

  • Somewhat close (e.g. share office)

Work environment

The work environment refers to the physical setting in which people work. The characteristics and conditions of the work environment are selected according to the likeliness that workers will be exposed to them at least once a week.

Physical proximity from others

Physical proximity from others refers to the physical distance between individuals in the workplace. The likeliness that the job requires to perform tasks while being physically close to other people is rated on a scale with 3 levels: "Somewhat close", "Close" and "Very close".

Related job titles

Here are some other related job titles that are found in the same occupational category (NOC 51112), and a list of similar occupations:

  • medical writer
  • scientific writer
  • specifications writer (except construction)
  • technical writer

Similar occupations Help - Similar occupations

Similar occupations

This section lists other occupations that are part of the same broad occupational category as Technical writers in the National Occupational Classification (NOC). These occupations involve similar core qualifications but involve different responsibilities. To see more similar occupations, use the Job Transition Tool.

Sources Occupational and Skills Information System & National Occupational Classification

Labour Market Information Survey
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