Candace M. Richards
Colorado Springs,CO
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Summary
Results-focused professional with extensive experience in intelligence analysis, project management, leadership, and technical writing. A highly organized multitasker who excels in communication and time management. Resourceful and adaptable team leader with exceptional skills in critical problem-solving, building strong relationships, decision-making, and strategic vision.
Security Clearance: Top Secret with SCI
Work History
Senior Technical Writer
KBR
Colorado Springs, CO
01.2022 - Current
- Pivotal team member in support of engineering and manufacturing company for developing, testing, and sustaining military platforms built to customer specifications
- High-level expertise in proofreading, editing, and upholding grammatical standards of technical documents essential to operational and software product releases for customers
- Collaborate closely with system engineers, software developers, and other subject matter experts to enhance the understanding of materials necessary for effective handoff to customers and warfighters
- Contributes to developing and revising all documents intended for customer release by meticulously reviewing, verifying information, editing, and refining them into polished final products
- Designed, drafted, and implemented fillable PDF checklists from instructional guidebooks to streamline understanding and accessibility for end users
- Takes charge of creating and overseeing all Technical Data Packages (TDP) and master document lists
- Responds promptly to high-priority tasks, demonstrating diligence and accuracy in every detail
- Served as subject matter expert on company''s proprietary software products, providing input during design reviews to ensure usability and clarity.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to gather information and ensure accuracy of technical content in product releases.
- Organized regular meetings with stakeholders to gather feedback on documentation needs, ensuring alignment between project goals and end-user requirements.
- Earned a reputation for consistently delivering high-quality work within tight deadlines, resulting in increased responsibility and leadership opportunities.
- Streamlined the review process for increased efficiency by developing a centralized system to track document revisions.
- Supported sales teams with tailored documentation to demonstrate product capabilities during client presentations, leading to increased business opportunities.
- Championed continuous improvement initiatives within the documentation team, resulting in more streamlined processes and higher-quality outputs.
- Received recognition from company leadership for excellence in delivering high-quality documentation under tight deadlines.
- Increased user satisfaction with software products by creating clear, concise, and accurate help files and user manuals.
- Enhanced documentation quality by implementing standardized templates and style guides for all technical materials.
- Proofread copy written by colleagues to correct spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
- Edited and proofread technical documents for accuracy and consistency.
- Worked closely with software engineers, product managers and other departments to determine accuracy and completeness of technical documentation.
- Developed detailed technical documents and user guides for technical products.
Administrative Project Assistant
Peraton
Colorado Springs, CO
07.2021 - 12.2021
- Key Business Services Center (BSC) member responsible for the final editing and formatting of Contract Data Requirements List (CDRL) deliverables, congressional reports, and other related documentation
- Evaluated and published program technical reports, meeting minutes, and classified briefings contributed by mechanical engineers, physicists, and program managers
- Effectively coordinated with authors, reviewers, and key stakeholders to guarantee the timely completion and delivery of products in their final form
- Flawlessly crafted various incarnations of documents, ensuring impeccable grammar, spelling, formatting, and flow
- Well organized in executing all assigned projects and office duties
- Worked closely with authors and security reviewers to develop exceptional finished products for customers, preparing comprehensive packages for dissemination to external recipients
- Developed and maintained project documentation for clear communication among stakeholders.
- Monitored project milestones to ensure adherence to established goals and timelines.
- Prepared agendas and minutes for meetings, ensuring follow-up on action items and decisions.
- Maintained a high level of accuracy in all project documentation, ensuring consistency and clarity throughout the lifecycle of projects.
- Enhanced team communication by organizing and maintaining accurate documentation of meeting notes, action items, and followups.
- Contributed to successful project outcomes by providing comprehensive administrative support to the team.
- Assisted project managers in achieving timely completion of projects through diligent monitoring and tracking of deadlines.
- Strengthened working relationships between team members with effective collaboration on tasks and open communication channels.
- Aided in continuous improvement efforts within the organization through participation in lessons learned sessions after project completion.
Vetting Analyst
Department of Homeland Security
Colorado Springs, CO
09.2019 - 07.2021
- Provided vetting analysis for the National Transportation Vetting Center (NTVC), a24/7 congressionally mandated national security operations watch floor
- Conducted thorough Security Threat Assessments (STA) for passengers traveling on both domestic and international flights, ensuring prompt execution
- Diligently queried multiple databases, researched, and assessed critical data, reconciling information with vetting outcomes to ascertain the potential for a valid match
- Managed multiple projects simultaneously while adhering to strict deadlines and quality standards.
- Educated staff on organizational mission and goals to help employees achieve success.
- Evaluated staff performance and provided coaching to address inefficiencies.
- Maintained overall safe work environment with employee training programs and enforcement of safety procedures.
Administrative Assistant
Department of Defense (DoD)
Hudson, NH
09.2014 - 09.2019
- Provided office automation and a variety of other support services to management and auditors in a Field Audit Office (FAO) as part of an administrative support team/unit
- Performed routine administrative tasks such as file management, customer support, faxing/scanning, notes for meetings, supply orders, and annual computer equipment and classified document inventory
- Assisted principals in editing and formatting reports, letters, and memorandums for timely delivery to recipients
- Served as the Point of Contact for all computer issues, ensuring software updates were properly applied as necessary, and conducted an annual inventory of all office equipment
- Assisted users in accessing and utilizing various applications and resolved operational problems
- Expertly stored, retrieved, and printed a variety of documents including those requiring complex formats such as graphics, tables, or spreadsheets within the text
- Coordinated meetings for both internal and external organizational staff and visiting VIPs
- Answered multi-line phone system, routing calls, delivering messages to staff and greeting visitors.
- Maintained confidentiality of sensitive information by adhering to strict privacy policies and implementing secure filing systems.
- Delivered excellent customer service through prompt responses to client inquiries, addressing concerns effectively, and building strong relationships.
- Ensured accurate record-keeping with diligent data entry and database management for vital company information.
- Promoted a positive work environment through effective communication skills and fostering professional relationships among colleagues.
- Improved document organization with thorough file maintenance, archiving outdated records as necessary for efficient retrieval when needed.
- Coordinated office supply inventory management, proactively ordering necessary items before depletion to avoid workflow disruptions.
- Supported executive staff through scheduling meetings, coordinating travel arrangements, and preparing crucial documents.
- Assisted with human resources tasks such as updating employee files or submitting time-off requests per company policy guidelines.
- Assisted in onboarding new employees, providing training materials, and coordinating orientation schedules to ensure a smooth integration into the team.
- Optimized calendar management for executives by scheduling appointments strategically while considering priorities and minimizing conflicts.
- Organized office events such as holiday parties or team-building activities, promoting a positive company culture and boosting employee morale.
- Facilitated collaboration within team by organizing regular meetings and tracking project progress.
- Boosted team productivity by managing communication channels and ensuring timely responses to inquiries.
- Supported recruitment processes, scheduling interviews and communicating with applicants to improve hiring timelines.
- Facilitated training sessions for new software tools, increasing team productivity and reducing learning curves.
- Organized company events to enhance team cohesion, coordinating logistics and catering for over 50 participants.
- Improved document processing speed by introducing automated templates for routine correspondence.
- Addressed IT issues by coordinating with tech support, minimizing downtime and maintaining operational efficiency.
- Enhanced communication within office, establishing weekly newsletter summarizing key updates and achievements.
- Coordinated travel arrangements for staff, ensuring cost-effective and timely accommodations and transportation.
- Enhanced office environment, organizing spaces for better workflow and employee comfort.
- Assisted coworkers and staff members with special tasks on daily basis.
- Built and maintained excellent customer relationships through timely response to inquiries and going above and beyond to accommodate unusual requests.
- Volunteered to help with special projects of varying degrees of complexity.
- Surpassed team goals by partnering with colleagues to implement best practices and protocols.
Intelligence Operations Analyst/Team Leader
Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC)
San Antonio, TX
06.2005 - 07.2010
- Delivered critical technical and analytical support to the AF ISR Agency, major Combatant Commands, and National-level Agencies to enhance war combatants’ situational awareness
- Gathered, analyzed, and integrated multi-source intelligence for the development of web-based products to support operational planners, forward-deployed analysts, and war combatants
- As Team Leader in charge of six analysts, kept subordinates focused and superiors up-to-speed on the progress of tasks with daily briefings, leading to increased awareness within the office
- Participated in three United States (U.S.) Central Command (USCENTCOM) anti-terrorism exercises, shared knowledge with leadership and end users of relevant CI/HUMINT information and provided feedback on key players
- Generated intelligence reports detailing results of research and assessments on target situations
- Finished products created in multiple formats; HTML/XML web pages, Word/PDF documents, PowerPoint slides, and Analyst Notebook
- Insightful research led to increased tier level for two relevant terrorist groups on the IICT list by committee members
- Meticulously analyzed priority targets, and developed, and organized electronic target folders for each key node identified for transnational terrorist-related Target Systems Assessments
- Designated as a key briefer on the organization’s mission and specialized briefings for VIPs
- Major Achievements:
- Hand-selected by the government stakeholder to establish and lead innovative Transnational Threats (TNT) support for the USCENTCOM Area of Responsibility (AOR)
- Participated in a joint effort with United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) high-priority target planners working in collaboration with intelligence and operations in United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) and USSOCOM
- Collaborated with the U
- S
- Treasury/DoD Iraq Threat Finance Cell (ITFC) and the Afghan Threat Finance Cell (ATFC) to assist in determining priorities and assessing in-theater risks
- Instrumental in aiding the U.S
- State Department in bringing individuals suspected of terrorism to justice via research and creation of classified documents containing pertinent information for use in U.S
- Federal Court
- Managed multiple projects simultaneously, delivering results within tight deadlines while maintaining high-quality standards.
- Optimized operational efficiency by analyzing and streamlining processes.
- Created custom reports and visualizations to support decision-making processes.
- Worked with engineers and technical staff to recommend hardware and software adjustments and resolve design flaws.
- Assisted in the development of operational policies and procedures that aligned with organizational goals and objectives.
- Analyzed trend data to forecast operational needs and plan next course of action.
- Developed performance metrics to evaluate operations effectiveness, enabling continuous improvement initiatives.
- Scanned system for frequent technical issues, employing troubleshooting techniques for resolution.
- Established strong relationships with key stakeholders, fostering a collaborative environment conducive to achieving shared goals.
- Identified inefficiencies in current systems, recommending adjustments that resulted in increased productivity levels.
- Actively participated in strategic planning meetings, contributing valuable input towards setting departmental objectives.
- Contributed to the successful launch of new products and services through rigorous testing and quality assurance checks.
- Facilitated knowledge sharing sessions, boosting team efficiency and innovation.
- Set performance expectations for the team, monitoring progress towards goals and providing constructive feedback as needed.
- Empowered team members by delegating responsibilities according to individual strengths and areas of expertise.
- Managed conflict resolution among team members, fostering a positive and collaborative work environment.
- Maintained an inclusive and diverse team culture, promoting respect and understanding among all members.
- Developed team members'' skills through targeted coaching sessions, resulting in improved individual performance.
- Collaborated with other department leaders to establish shared goals and ensure alignment across teams.
- Enhanced team productivity by implementing efficient work processes and regularly reviewing performance metrics.
- Evaluated team member performance against established objectives during regular reviews, offering praise for achievements or identifying areas requiring further development.
- Mentored junior staff members, helping them develop their leadership potential and advance in their careers.
- Promoted culture of continuous improvement by encouraging feedback from all organizational levels and implementing actionable changes.
- Established clear communication channels to facilitate timely exchange of information between team members and stakeholders.
- Led by example, demonstrating commitment and professionalism that inspired team members to excel.
Education
Bachelor Of Science - Computer And Information Systems
Champlain College
Burlington, VT05.2013
Skills
- Intelligence Analyst
- Strong Organizational Skills
- Team Leader/Motivator
- Writing/Editing
- Research/Analysis
- Effective Communicator
- Content strategy development
- Information architecture design
- Continuous improvement mindset
- Style guide adherence
- User experience focus
- Structured authoring practices
- Strong research
- Editing and proofreading
- Technical research
- Documentation management
- User manual maintenance
- Image preparation
- Problem-solving
- Multitasking Abilities
- Active listening
- Decision-making
- Team building
- Interpersonal skills
- Analytical thinking
OTHER WORK HISTORY
- Marshalls, Colorado Springs, CO – Store Associate Nov 2013 – Aug 2014
- Armistead, Inc., Burlington, VT – Caregiver Sep 2010 – Jul 2013
- United States Navy – Cryptologic Technician Oct 1984 – Oct 2004
Timeline
Senior Technical Writer
KBR
01.2022 - Current
Administrative Project Assistant
Peraton
07.2021 - 12.2021
Vetting Analyst
Department of Homeland Security
09.2019 - 07.2021
Administrative Assistant
Department of Defense (DoD)
09.2014 - 09.2019
Intelligence Operations Analyst/Team Leader
Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC)
06.2005 - 07.2010
Bachelor Of Science - Computer And Information Systems
Champlain College