Software Maintenance Tech

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 14:19:44 -0400

This is a very simple job for someone with technical skills and the ability to communicate. In a nutshell we're looking for a jack-of-all-trades technology person.

We are not looking for the next Marc Andreessen who will change the world. We are successful because we implement workaday, well-known, proven technologies: HTML code, PHP scripts, and SQL queries. Nothing in this position is bleeding-edge new tech. In most cases, your average geek knows enough to get this stuff done.

Are You Technologically Adept?

PHP. MySQL. Blog. Web Apps. Objects. PHORM. Open Source. Functions. Drupal. Classes. Smarty. Javascript. Wiki. CSS. HTML. XML.

If you instantly recognize those terms and you love spending your time in that environment, keep reading.

We have a ton of small "one-off" tech tasks that must be done on-the-fly. The tasks are too-technical for our non-tech teams, yet these 10-minute to 5-hour tasks require calendaring (days, sometimes months into the future) before our busy Development team can tackle them.

We need a tech person focused on quickly completing $5 - $1000 "nano-projects".

Are You Self Reliant?
There aren't many docs telling you "where to find this" or "how that thing works". You'll get little help - you're basically on your own. We'll give you the necessary access to complete your tasks. You can occasionally ask the (busy/distracted) Development team specific questions. That's the extent of what you can count on for help.

This position is ideal for someone comfortable with technology, who knows how to get to the bottom of tech issues, and doesn't mind diving into the code to figure out how things work. A person who gathers information from docs, Google, deeply technical public forums, & obscure discussion lists. Yep - you'll find THEM on your own too.

There are those who think that's a tall order. Some people would even say it's too hard. THOSE people may not bid on this project.

"Geek Snobs" Need Not Apply
This job certainly requires someone who "gets" technology and can sling code. You must be able to instantiate an object and know the difference between a function and a class. You must demonstrate your tech skills before you'll even get an interview.

But that's just part of the equation.

The SMT doesn't live in an ivory tower looking down at non-tech folks as the losers they are. Can you communicate tech stuff to non-tech people? Can you translate "geekspeak" into English? That's the magic we're after.

The SMT helps our CS team explain to a customer why things didn't go right - and that the problem is corrected. (You won't generally talk with customers.) The SMT works with the Mktg team to gather data, put it into an easily accessible report to analyze results. The SMT notices important details in a job request. Follow this hidden instruction: Use the word 'duck' in your bid. The SMT offers suggestions for tools/interfaces to make things easier next time. Along the way, you'll write down what you did, how things work, and what you learned so that it's easier next time.

If you speak English (even if English is your 2nd, 3rd or 25th language) without the latest techno-babble acronyms, and if you can explain in real words why/how something works, we want you on the team.

Salary Range:
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Article Coach

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 14:24:19 -0400

Job Expectations

An Article Coach:

Is responsible for making sure articles meet our Diamond Assurance™ review guidelines.
Maintains required productivity thresholds
Communicates issues to the Article Coach Supervisor
Checks BaseCamp? daily for updates and messages on the Review Team Project
Checks hordemail daily for new messages and communications
Communicates with members of the Customer Service team as needed to research and resolve support tickets concerning Review
Researches author accounts as needed
Fills in the Review Team Timesheet daily
Updates the Review Team Project writeboards with Last Chance Warnings and Up To Date author information
Maintains availability on MSN Messenger during scheduled work hours
Notifies Article Coach Supervior of any scheduling needs or concerns in a timely manner

The Article Coach uses the resources of the Review Team and the education provided through the Article Coach Training Course to review each article according to our Diamond Assurance™ review guidelines. They must work quickly and accurately, balancing any other duties as assigned (ODAA) with review detective work with article coaching, while effectively communicating with the rest of the team in BaseCamp? and MSN Messenger.

Basic Requirements (the "blank slate")

The successful applicant for this position has a broadband internet connection, Firefox browser (and an understanding of how to modify/upgrade Firefox with plug-ins, extensions, etc.), Microsoft Network (MSN) Instant Messenger installed and IM account information to share with the team. You must be comfortable communicating through IM. You must have a GMail Account to access Google Docs. You must also have (or set up) a PayPal? account so we can pay you.

Much communication is done through email, so a working knowledge of, and comfort with, email is essential. For security purposes, it is required that strong virus protection program is set to run at least weekly on any computer used to access company information.

You will work at your own location as an independent contractor. Attention to detail, communication, and the ability to adapt to change are basic requirements of anyone wishing to join the team.

Attention MAC users: We have a global workforce. Understand that most of our team does NOT work on Macs, so any files you deliver must be PC ready.

Trained Skills

The Article Coach will begin his/her career as a trainee, and will take our comprehensive self-taught training for Article Coaches which includes reading, videos, quizzes, practice articles, and live review with a trainer. Upon successful completion of course, trainee will become certified and will be expected to work independently.

Productivity

after 6 months
average productivity: 25 articles/hr minimum

after 12 months
average productivity: 30 articles/hr minimum