Resume
Candida (Dida) L. Kutz
dida@didakutz.org
LinkedIn Profile: www.linkedin.com/in/didakutz
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
- Broad skill set gained over 20+ years in publishing and "soft" side of computer technology.
- Motivated by "community of practice" building.
- Strong understanding of creative process.
- Excellent writing, editing, verbal, research, and analytical skills.
- Ability to work independently as well as on teams.
- Management and teaching skills.
- Working knowledge of Chicago Manual of Style and CBE Scientific Style and Format Manual.
- Proficient in Movable Type v. 3.x and MT 4, TypePad, CSS, Win 98/NT/2000/ME/XP, FTP, Dreamweaver MX 2004, Homesite, FrameMaker, Acrobat, PageMaker 6.5, Quark 5.0x, Illustrator 8.
- Word 2000, 97, HTML, PowerPoint, RoboDemo, RoboHelp; conversant with ArcGIS 9.2, PHP, Perl, Visio, FrontPage, PhotoShop 7, Excel, JAVA, UNIX, XML, XSLT, JavaScript,Visual Basic; knowledge of XMetal; Mac and PC experience.
03/07-Current: Ms. Kutz is currently working as an editor in the Curriculum Development Division of the Defense Language Institute-Foreign Language Center. Prior to joining the editorial group at DLI, Ms. Kutz worked in Silicon Valley and San Francisco in a number of positions related to internet publishing. In addition to editing and writing, she has experience programming and developing web content. With her background in science, specifically marine biology, she continues a passionate involvement with diving and related marine projects in the area. This scientific and natural bent affords Ms. Kutz the analytical skills and research credentials she uses in her editing work.
05/05-02/07 Freelance technical writer and web content consultant (i.e., web page development, training, and support for both traditional sites and web logs). Member of
07-current Editor * Point Lobos Magazine *
Solicit article and images for magazine published by Point Lobos Association. Make all editorial decisions regarding content; edit articles; conduct lay-out; deliver to printer.
05/05-02/07 Style Editor * CTB McGraw Hill *
Edit test booklets for international publisher. (contract position)
01/05-current Publisher/Writer * BluePlanetDivers.org *
Designed and launched website devoted to research diving using Movable Type publishing platform. Unique on internet. Unpaid personal project.
Full Time W2
09/04-03/05 Information Architect/Blog Mistress * SiliconValleyWatcher.com *
Managed personal blog and web site for Tom Foremski, former journalist at Financial Times. SiliconValleyWatcher.com has won a number of "best" awards, including shortly after launch named one of the top 250 most influential blogs by Bacon's Information. Managed all IT functions of rapidly growing site. As sole technologist and site designer, installed and configured Movable Type, created style sheets in CSS, designed type logo and overall look of site, and served in primary IT role (trouble shooting, backend server support, and tech support for other team members). www.SiliconValleyWatcher.com
12/01-09/04 Sole Proprietor * Candida Opals *
Owner of on-line Australian opal distribution and jewelry outlet. Responsibilities include web site maintenance (copy writing, uploading new files, photography, etc.), marketing, networking, attending trade shows, fulfilling orders, customer relations, i.e., everything except making jewelry and cutting opals. www.CandidaOpals.com
9/00-7/01 Sr. Technical Writer * KENAMEA *
As a member of the User Experience Group was responsible for documenting and editing user manuals, developer manuals, and Java API for new internet application platform technology. Also responsible for documentation planning, setting standards, creating process, and screening new hires. Co-creator of information architecture for online
2/00-9/00 Sr. Technical Writer * XUMA *
Primary responsibilities involved writing and substantive editing of scope deliverables for custom ASP house. Also actively mentored junior editors, reworked department structure and process, and hired new editors. Investigated single-source solutions for streamlining interdepartmental writing and editing process.
6/99-2/00 Technical Writer * UNITEQ APPLICATION SYSTEMS *
Team leader of technical publishing department reporting to VP of Engineering. Primary writer of warehousing software documentation.
6/92-7/93 Technical Legal Assistant * MATTHEW BENDER & CO., INC. *
Technically and substantively assisted both legal writer and Executive Editor (reporting to same) in development of TopForm, a bankruptcy software-filing program. Directed workflow of editorial staff members. Assisted in training of editorial replacement in desktop publishing.
6/89-6/92 Legal Copyeditor * MATTHEW BENDER & CO., INC. *
Copyedited and created documentation for legal software. Researched design needs for major new element of software documentation, and ultimately devised final form of customer worksheets for bankruptcy program. Also responsible for original design and composition of three subscriber newsletters.
Contract
2005-2006 Technical Writer * Cittio *
FT contract position. Edited numerous versions of end-user Quick Start Guide for Watchtower network monitoring service. Also actively participated in evaluating the user interface, and contributed to better user experience and product.
6/02-9/02 Technical Writer * BIO-RAD * Hercules, CA.
FT contract position. In charge of creating training materials for bioinformatics software product. Created storyboard, wrote script, and produced Flash demo using RoboDemo. Worked closely with scientists.
2/99-7/99 Desktop Publisher * KLUWER LAW INTERNATIONAL *
Created original template for book on global warming using FrameMaker 5.5.6. Converted Word documents, imported template and tagged; copyedited, format proofed.
10/98-6/99 Desktop Publisher * RWS POLYGLOT *
Used FrameMaker 5.5.6, QuarkExpress 4.0, and/or Illustrator 7.0 to edit foreign language technical documentation including medical inserts and labels, laboratory documentation, and software documentation. Also assigned as team leader i.e., production manager on two projects.
6/98-10/98 Technical Writer and Editor * IMPULSE!BUY NETWORK *
Contract position with e-commerce company. Required the design and implementation (writing, editing, layout) of documentation for both in-house and client reference use. Also involved in UI design, bug reporting, and intranet/internet site maintenance.
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
- Board Member, Point Lobos Association.
- Board Member, American Cetacean Society, Monterey Bay Chapter.
- American Association of Underwater Sciences AAUS.
- Explorer's Club, Member National, 2009.
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
Technical Writing for C++ and Java; Project Management for Technical Communicators; Documentation Databases: Developing a Single-Sourcing Strategy; Intro to XML; Intro to Programming Using JAVA; CGI for Non-programmers; Active Server Pages for Webmasters, ArcGIS.
EDUCATION
1993-97 Post-graduate studies, Biology (molecular genetics), San Francisco State Univ.
AWARDS and HONORS
- Central California Council of Diving Clubs, Inc., grant recipient.
- GAANN Predoctoral Fellowship; two years.
- Lerner Grey Marine Mammal Fund grant recipient;
- Active research diver with REEF CHECK
- Diver, Monterey Bay Aquarium.
- Team Judge, N. CA Society for Tech. Communicators competition, 2000.
- National Park Service: One season research diving
- California Fish and Game: Four seasons research diving
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- Field Assistant, EARTHWATCH: Assisted in tracking and photo ID'ing of bottlenose dolphins in
- Second Start Literacy Tutor,
- Exhibits Volunteer,
- Project Read Literacy Tutor,
SPECIAL SKILLS/MISC.
Scuba Rescue Diver NAUI and PADI; Research Diver AAUS; Divers Alert Network Oxygen Provider; Basic Nitrox scuba certification IANTD; Ice Diver PADI; American Red Cross CPR and First Aid certified; martial artist, 15 years choy li fut kung fu, tai-chi. Featured in August 2000 and August 2002 issues of Fortune magazine. Appeared
in Oct. 2005 episode of National Geographic Channel's Hunter and Hunted.
