CE Service Technical Publications Writer – Salina, KS

Great Plains Manufacturing CE Division is seeking a Technical Publications Writer for supporting new product development and product enhancements. This position will coordinate, write, copy, and prepare layouts for: Parts, Workshop, Flat Rate, and other Technical Documentation manuals. 

This is an hourly on-site position that works Monday through Thursday from 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., and is based in our CE Service Department in Salina, KS.

Position Summary:

Plans, directs, and coordinates CE Technical Publication activities with KBT CE Customer Solutions Department in developing, writing, and editing material for manuals, instruction books, catalogs, and related technical and administrative publications concerned with work methods, procedures, installation, operation, and maintenance of CE machinery. Also serves as the primary author of GPM CE Service related documentation.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Confer with CE Service Specialists and CE Engineers to determine specific or general subject material to be developed for publication on new products.
• Serve as the lead in compiling and conveying technical data to the KBT service document development team.
• Responsible for creating technical documents, service bulletins and other communications.
• Create, coordinate and maintain technical document development schedules.
• Coordinate the use of parts and machines in the document development process with CE Service Specialists and CE Engineering.
• Work with testing and service teams to understand machine function.
• Clearly communicate written descriptions and instructions to educate equipment operators and dealership service personnel.
• Write, copy and prepare layout and formatting of manuals.
• Make corrections, changes and updates to previously published materials.
• Assist with new product service training materials.
• Read & interpret engineering drawings & MRP product structure.
• Review quality of final print or electronic publication before release.
• Recommend measures to improve publications process.
• Assign staff writer or contracts with specialist in subject area to produce drafts of manuscripts.
• Other duties may be assigned that require travel, field time, and shop time.
• Travel to Kubota in Japan for training will be required.

Preferred Skills and Qualifications: 

• Must possess excellent grammar skills. Written communications college credits a plus.
• Excellent communications skills, both written and oral
• Substantial desktop publishing experience (document architecting experience would be a plus, as would DTD authoring experience for any XML publishing application and/or HTML development)
• Extensive knowledge of Adobe software, such as Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, DITA, and FrameMaker 2019
• Strong mechanical background (agricultural or construction preferred)
• 3D-CAD experience (PTC Creo, Windchill or CATIA viewable preferred)
• Drafting or technical illustration experience, including knowledge of graphic file formats

At Great Plains Manufacturing, our people make the difference, making our company a great place to work and grow. If you are self-motivated, have a passion to succeed and value teamwork, we invite you to apply to join our team. For over 45 years, Great Plains Manufacturing, Inc., has been known as a world-class manufacturer of farm and landscaping equipment in Central Kansas. Now a Kubota company, we have recently added a new construction equipment division. With over 2,300 dedicated employees, Great Plains Manufacturing continues its dedication toward innovation and professional growth, while maintaining our family culture and community values. Grow with us! Visit our Careers page at www.WorkForGPM.com.