[Novalug] OT: Job in Rockville, some Linux, metro accessible

[Ben Creitz]

*** Sorry, I couldn't get to the "join" page for the ma-jobs list ***

Hello all.  If anybody is looking for an entry-level-ish IT job with
some Linux in Rockville (walking-distance from the metro):

  http://rockvillemd.gov/employment/5212301.htm

Linux is not mentioned in the posting, but this was my position and I
can tell you that there is some Linux involved (see below).  I would
characterize the position as part "desktop support" and part sysadmin
(provided that you can cover the desktop support stuff easliy and
quickly).

Please feel free to ask me questions about the gig, but to apply you
have to go through the regular channels (start by downloading the
application).

***Good Points***

1. There is Linux running on a few servers, with more in the future
(it is a Netware shop, so at some point it will probably go Suse).
Also, the Cisco call managers will go to Linux in the future.

2. Linux knowledge (assuming you can also hold your own with basic
Windows help desk stuff) will put you ahead of the other applicants...
I was the "Linux person," and now I'm going away...

3. There are lots of places to improve things, if you are enterprising
and able.  Some cool stuff that is underway or will be in the near
future: IP SAN, IBM Blade Center, virtualization...

4. If you have (or get) a CCNA, MCSE <cough> , or CNE (I know, they
should update that) you will get an automatic promotion to a "level
II" (with a chunky raise) after you work there  for one year.

5. You will have freedom to try things like setting up Nagios, setting
up content filters for community centers, setting up Snort, etc. if
you can finish your primary duties in a timely fashion (I did).

6. It is right next to the new Rockville town center, with lots of
coffee, a "made to order " custom donut vendor (soon), and a gigantic
new County library which stocks a surprising number of "O'Reilly" and
"No Starch" books.

7. Local government == stable job, regular hours, very good benefits.

***"Not Great" Points***

1. You will sometimes have to do things like clean the skin/food
residue off of mouse ball rollers, open up laser printers in search of
lost labels, teach people how to insert functions into Excel 2000,
remove mind-bogglingly stubborn malware (or be a wimp and re-image the
thing), and gently coerce users into remembering their passwords
through creative visualization, i.e.: "Imagine it is the first thing
in the morning.  You are about to log in..."

2. Local government == <I won't say; just insert any negative
stereotype that you've heard about government gigs>


I am leaving because I got a position right next to my house doing
nothing but taking care of a bunch of Solaris (eventually RHEL)
application servers (I am siked!).

-Ben