Technical Writer - The Toro Company

Who Are We?

The Toro Company is a homegrown, Minnesota-based company that has been in business since 1914. We pride ourselves on providing world class equipment to help maintain the environment that we love, while putting an emphasis on giving back to the communities that surround us. From residential lawns and gardens, to venues such as St. Andrews Links and Target Field, we are a company with a global footprint and a passion for helping people beautify whatever landscape they may be in. With 100 years of operation under our belt and an average employee tenure of 15 years, come find out what makes The Toro Company the best place in the Twin Cities to build a career.

Do you want to build your Technical Writing career with live published content and cutting-edge technology, while working for an industry leader and household name?

The Technical Publications Department at The Toro Company is looking for an exceptional candidate with great ideas, skills, and passion for Technical Writing and innovation. In this position, you will author and contribute to our topic-based authoring projects using the DITA XML architecture. You will use PTC products (Windchill content management system, Arbortext Editor, Creo Illustrate) and the Titania content delivery solution and web-based review tool, work with multiple departments (Engineering, Marketing, Customer Service), and user test animations and augmented reality experiences that add great value for our customers.

What Will You Do?

• Create accurate instructional content such as operator's manuals, installation instructions, and Quick Start Guides for Toro hardware and software products using text, line art, graphic storyboards, and animations.
• Define and translate customer requirements into clear and concise instructional communications. Learn and apply the Toro structured XML architecture when authoring content and assist with the transition to topic-based authoring (DITA).
• Reuse available text to maintain accuracy and consistency of the instructional content and to obtain reduced translation costs.
• Learn and apply storyboard concepts for the creation of graphics.
• Learn and apply the techniques required to create and edit animations and learn about the application of augmented reality (AR) experiences).
• Apply appropriate metadata to graphic communications for searching and reuse.
• Create and route workflow requests for changes and new content to the editor, supervisor, and product teams (Engineering, Legal, Safety, Test, and Customer Care) for review and approval, and incorporate appropriate changes in the content.
• Manage a multi-project workload and complete all projects on time to meet production schedule requirements.

What Do You Need?

• Work requires the level of educational development normally acquired by completing a bachelor's degree from an accredited college in Scientific and Technical Communications, English, or related engineering field or applicable experience as a writer/artist.
• Experience; TW I: 0-3 years' experience in instructional documentation. TW II: 3-5 years' experience in instructional documentation.
• Experience with XML; database publishing preferred. Experience with Arbortext Epic Editor or similar application is desirable.
• Experience with technical illustration, animation, and video creation required. Proficiency with Adobe Illustrator and Corel Draw preferred. Experience with Creo Illustrate and Creo Parametric CAD software preferred.
• Proficiency with MS software (Excel, Word, and PowerPoint) is desirable.
• Mechanical background with the ability to understand and communicate technical and mechanical concepts is desirable. Ability to read detail and assembly drawings and schematics is desirable.

Other Job-Related Components:

• Author instructional documentation that complies with the Toro Style Guide for Instructional Documentation.
• Create graphics that comply with the Toro Style Guide for Graphic Documentation.
• Work closely with the team lead to ensure that all projects have the proper priorities and support to meet plant production and on-line requirements.
• Communicate cross functionally with SMEs (subject matter experts), Engineering, Product Evaluation, Service, Legal, and Marketing.

What Can We Give You?

At The Toro Company, we are always working to make sure our employees know just how valued they are. In addition to a competitive salary, an affordable and top tier medical/dental/vision plan, 401k, and many other great benefits - The Toro company offers employees at our Bloomington, MN HQ location a variety of perks, including:

• Dress for your day - We know you're more productive when you're comfortable, which is why TTC employees are encouraged to take advantage of our casual, corporate environment.

• Location - Conveniently located near both St. Paul and Minneapolis, we are centrally located for most commuters!

• Food - Take advantage of our onsite cafe, which serves both breakfast and lunch. With a Caribou Coffee attached, you can grab a snack and a coffee at any time during your day.

• Wellness - The Toro Company's HQ offers complimentary use of our onsite fitness facility to employees. In addition to physical wellbeing, TTC offers a variety of mental health and financial health resources to all employees.

• Volunteerism - The Toro Company is proud to provide employees 20 hours of paid time to volunteer in the community.

• Summer Hours - Enjoy a flexible schedule during the summer! By working a little more during the first few days of the week, TTC employees at our Bloomington HQ are able to start their weekends early and leave by noon on Friday.

• Flexible Work Arrangements - This team is currently implementing a hybrid work schedule. The opportunity to collaborate in the office and work from home part-time, has promoted team-building and flexibility. #LI-Hybrid

• Competitive Salary - The pay range takes into account skills, experience, education, and location. It is not common to be hired at or near the top of the range; compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. Cash compensation is one piece of our competitive total rewards package. If you need to, you can access your pay early with the Even app.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and consider qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, or other non-merit based factors. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.