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Part Time Technical Writing information

See California salary details

$13

$38

$65

How much do part time technical writing jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 31, 2026, the average hourly pay for part time technical writing in California is $38.43, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $28.46 and $46.49 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a part time technical writer?

A part time technical writer is a professional who creates instructional materials, manuals, guides, and documentation for products or services, but works fewer hours than a full-time employee. They often collaborate with engineers, developers, or subject matter experts to make complex information easier to understand. Part time roles can offer flexible schedules, making them suitable for students, freelancers, or those seeking a work-life balance. These writers may work remotely or on-site, depending on the employer's needs.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a part time technical writer?

To thrive as a Part Time Technical Writer, you need strong writing, editing, and research skills, typically supported by a degree in English, communications, or a technical field. Familiarity with documentation tools such as Microsoft Word, Adobe FrameMaker, or MadCap Flare, and experience with content management systems are often required. Attention to detail, time management, and the ability to convey complex information clearly are critical soft skills. These competencies ensure that documentation is accurate, accessible, and delivered efficiently to meet organizational and user needs.

How does a part time technical writer typically collaborate with subject matter experts and full-time team members?

Part-time technical writers often work closely with subject matter experts (SMEs) and full-time staff through scheduled meetings, email communication, and collaborative tools like shared documents or project management systems. Since their hours may be limited, clear communication and efficient organization are essential to stay aligned with project goals and deadlines. Many teams use regular check-ins or status updates to ensure everyone is on the same page. Being proactive in seeking clarifications and feedback helps part-time writers contribute effectively despite less time on-site or in meetings.

What is the difference between Part Time Technical Writing vs Part Time Content Writing?

AspectPart Time Technical WritingPart Time Content Writing
Required SkillsTechnical knowledge, clarity, documentation skillsCreativity, SEO, storytelling
Work EnvironmentTech companies, engineering firms, software firmsMedia, marketing, blogs, websites
Common CertificationsTechnical writing certifications, degrees in technical fieldsWriting courses, SEO certifications
Industry UsageHigh in tech and engineering sectorsWidespread across marketing and media

Part Time Technical Writing focuses on creating clear, precise technical documents for technical audiences, often requiring specialized knowledge. In contrast, Part Time Content Writing emphasizes engaging, SEO-friendly content for broader audiences. Both roles may require strong writing skills, but technical writing demands more technical expertise and documentation skills, while content writing leans toward creativity and marketing knowledge.

What are the most commonly searched types of Technical Writing jobs in California?

The most popular types of Technical Writing jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Part Time Technical Writing jobs in California?

For Part Time Technical Writing jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Part Time Technical Writing jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Part Time Technical Writing jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Part Time Technical Writing jobs?

Cities in California with the most Part Time Technical Writing job openings:

Part Time Technical Writing jobs near you
Infographic showing various Part Time Technical Writing job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 91% Full Time, 5% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 88% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $79,940 per year, or $38.4 per hour.

Technical Writer

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory

Menlo Park, CA • On-site

Part-time

Posted 19 days ago

Job description

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory seeks a Policy and Technical Writer/Editor to support the development, maintenance, and continuous improvement of laboratory-level policies, procedures, forms, templates, guidance documents, and related technical content. Working closely with policy owners, subject matter experts, operational teams, and management across the laboratory, this position will help create clear, accurate, accessible, and user-centered documentation that supports compliance, consistency, and effective operations.
Reporting to the designated manager and collaborating with stakeholders throughout SLAC, the part-time, on-call Policy and Technical Writer/Editor will draft, edit, organize, and coordinate the development of policies and related documentation while helping establish consistent standards and practices for institutional content. Work will be performed on an on-call basis as assigned.
Note: This is a non-benefits eligible casual nonexempt position (work less than 50% full-time equivalent), not to exceed 980 hours in a calendar year.
SLAC is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) laboratory operated by Stanford University and based in Menlo Park.
Your specific responsibilities include:
  • Draft, edit, and maintain laboratory-level policies, procedures, guidance documents, forms, templates, standards, and related technical content.

  • Partner with policy owners, subject matter experts, requirements experts, and management to develop clear, accurate, and actionable documentation.

  • Coordinate document development, review, approval, revision, and publication of activities with stakeholders across the laboratory.

  • Create and maintain templates, forms, style guidance, editorial standards, and supporting tools that promote consistency, clarity, accessibility, and ease of use.

  • Apply plain-language principles, technical editing expertise, and content organization with best practices to improve the readability, usability, and effectiveness of policy and technical documentation.

  • Develop and maintain a consistent institutional voice, structure, and user experience across policies, procedures, forms, templates, and related documentation.

  • Review content for consistency, accuracy, compliance, terminology, formatting, and alignment with established documentation standards.

  • Analyze business and operational processes to understand requirements, identify documentation needs, and recommend improvements to documentation, workflows, and content governance practices.

  • Support continuous improvement of SLAC's policy processes, content standards, document governance practices, and publishing workflows.

  • Communicate and reinforce the value of standards, templates, editorial practices, and consistent policy-development processes to stakeholders across the organization.

  • Manage multiple writing, editing, and policy-development projects simultaneously, coordinating contributors, reviews, approvals, and publication schedules.

  • Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure documentation is accurate, useful, accessible, and appropriate for intended audiences.

  • Coordinate document submission, publication, maintenance, version control, and archival activities consistent with documentation and records-management standards.

  • Keep controlled documents up to date as requirements, processes, regulations, and organizational needs evolve .

To be successful in this position you will bring:
  • Bachelor's degree in English, Communications, Technical Writing, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field, or a combination of education and experience performing responsibilities similar to those listed above.

  • Minimum five years of experience in policy writing, technical writing, technical editing, communications, process documentation, or related discipline.

  • Demonstrated ability to write, edit, and organize policies, procedures, standards, guidance documents, forms, templates, and technical documentation.

  • Ability to translate complex requirements, processes, technical information, and operational decisions into clear, concise, and actionable content for diverse audiences.

  • Strong technical editing skills, including plain-language editing, content organization, terminology consistency, formatting consistency, proofreading, and quality review.

  • Ability to create and improve forms, templates, style guidance, and reusable content structures that support consistent policy development.

  • Ability to review and understand end-to-end work processes and recommend improvements to documentation, workflows, and content governance.

  • Strong collaboration and customer service skills, including the ability to work effectively with policy owners, subject matter experts, requirements experts, management, and stakeholders across technical, operational, and administrative functions.

  • Ability to communicate the purpose and value of standards, templates, consistent documentation practices, and policy processes to stakeholders across the organization.

  • Strong project coordination skills, including the ability to manage multiple assignments, contributors, deadlines, review cycles, approvals, and document updates simultaneously.

  • Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills, including the ability to identify interdependencies across organizational functions, processes, and documentation sets.

  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively in both in-person and remote environments.

  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and document development tools.

In addition, preferred requirements include:
  • Experience writing and editing institutional policies, procedures, standards, guidance, compliance-related documents, or technical documentation.

  • Experience developing forms, templates, style guides, editorial standards, and reusable documentation frameworks.

  • Experience applying plain-language principles and user-centered content practices to make policy and technical information easier to find, understand, and use.

  • Experience with SharePoint, content management systems, Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Office, or similar tools used to develop, publish, and maintain documentation.

  • Experience supporting policy process improvement, publishing workflows, documentation governance, or organizational content standards.

  • Experience coordinating document review, approval, publication, revision, and maintenance processes.

  • Experience working in research, higher education, government, scientific, technical, operational, or highly regulated environments.

  • Experience producing documentation that supports quality, compliance, accessibility, consistency, and employee usability.

Physical requirements and working conditions:
  • Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job.

Work Standards:
  • Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.

  • Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for environment, safety and security; communicates related concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned. Meets the applicable roles and responsibilities as described in the ESH Manual, Chapter 1, General Policy and Responsibilities.

  • Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in Stanford University's Administrative Guide.

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