This edition of Cyber Careers (our 17th one!) takes a different path. I’m sharing the experience of a Technical Writer/Curriculum Developer/Tester who works in a classified environment on an Army base. Think about the CIA Triad – confidentiality is the big one when you’re thinking about work that supports the US Department of Defense and requires a top level clearance. The work itself might be mechanically about the same as it would be in any other environment, but there are a lot of controls in place in this instance, to protect confidentiality.Name? Fred Warner

Location? Killeen, Texas, Fort Hood Contractor

Sign entering Ft. Hood

JOB

Who do you work for? Sev1Tech

Your job title? Though my formal title is Training Specialist, my functional title is Technical Curriculum Developer, Writer, and Software Tester

How many years in cybersecurity? 7 years in the areas of Radar, Ground-based Electro-Optical Deep Space Surveillance, Ballistic Missile Early Warning Radar, Distributed Common Ground System-Army

What do you do in your job?

I’m the Lead Staff Trainer for 14 training developers/technical writers. The training program orients people from a zero background in technical writing and orients them to the atmosphere and the potential work we can be called upon, as computer systems advance and CLOUD technology emerges. Day-to-Day we can be proofing a recently released software version to verify procedural changes impacted by software improvements. We identify changes to the Graphic User Interface (GUI), revise our documented curriculum, work through each procedure to ensure it still accomplishes the mission and rewrite procedures as needed to ensure it does.

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We may also be updating Army Training Development Capability (TDC) software across various intelligence domains including Signal Intelligence, Human Intelligence, Geographic Intelligence, GeoSpatial Intelligence, Weather Intelligence, and All Source Intelligence operations. Once lessons are updated and verified as functioning correctly, we complete the process with Quality Assurance evaluations and revisions then receive final review and approval from Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) approval authorities. Once approved, we compile and publish Training Support Plans and Student Training Publications in direct support to Training Specialists who conduct field-provided New Equipment Training, at their location globally.

Much of the work is conducted directly on classified computer and supporting technologies systems in a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF). When a procedure has changed more than 20% we are required to conduct Instruction of Key Personnel Training (IKPT) in-classroom lecture and hands-on training. Most activities are on-station, though we can be mobilized as needed up to 25% of the time.

Classroom training

This job requires that I hold a Security Clearance, TS/SCI level.

What do you like most about your job? Our focus is providing the information, not just correctly formatted, but functionally and technically complete. Also, we are to become technical experts on the system, when revision exceeds 20%, in a short matter of time to conduct IKPT.

What do you like least? When a complete draft of lesson material has been sent to TRADOC and Army University for “proof of format” and completeness for publication and it is returned for unannounced revision, like most writing jobs.

What work did you do prior to this position? Technical Writer and Developer. I was the guy who had a component placed on my desk and a stack or links to the technical information and I wrote complete hardware and software user technical manuals, 1200-1500 pages in 6 months. Additionally I was part of a team conducting site visits to proof technical procedures on-site with Lead Engineers and Lead Technicians.

Salary range for your position? Technical Writers average income nationally is $75,000 – $77,000

EDUCATION & GROWTH

Degree?

  • Masters Degree Human Relations, University of Oklahoma
  • Bachelor of Sciences Professional Aeronautics, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Cum Laude
  • Associates of Applied Sciences, Education and Instructional Technologies
  • Community College of the Air Force
  • Associates of Applied Sciences, Aircraft Maintenance Technologies, Community College of the Air Force

Certifications?

  • Certified Coach, John Maxwell Team
  • Air Education and Training Command Master Instructor
  • Air Force Occupational Instructor

What do you do to stay up-to-date or grow in cyber?

Follow Cloud technology and tech company progress being made for Internet to 75% of the global population. Google, Boeing, and SES companies.

Follow satellite company launches and technology going into orbit.

Sev1Tech is a Certified Cloud service company.

Global tech developments in data storage, access, and cloud emerging technologies.

Emerging Technologies on EtchASketch

Interested in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) communications and applications.

I recently read about technology blooming in Africa.

Favorite cyber news source and/or podcast?

Sev1Tech in-house, weekly huddle

InDeed tech and GOV Contract updates, latest being Microsoft $10B for cloud technology provider

OTHER COMMENTS

Take yourself back 10 years – what would you advise yourself to do differently? Get a COMP TIA A+ or other certification to increase your earning potential and marketability

View the original post here: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/cyber-careers-17-technical-curriculum-developer-karen

If you are interested in contributing to this project you can contact Karen on LinkedIn or send an email to KarenTCyber@gmail.com.