Tech Writer/Analyst
March 12, 2010 9:56 AM
The real job posting is below.
TechSoup is a nonprofit that serves as a free IT department for the nonprofit sector. Most people in the nonprofit world know about us for our software donation program, but we do a lot more than that.
What we need for this position is someone with good, professional writing experience, who also has a reasonably high degree of tech expertise (though not necessarily education). Having professional experience in the nonprofit world is also a huge plus.
Please apply at the address below, but also send me a Mefimail and let me know you're applying. I won't lie about you if I don't know you, but I will make sure that your resume gets into the right hands.
TechSoup Global is looking for a creative, technically-minded analyst and writer to create content as part of the Content team, which works to provide nonprofits and libraries with technology information, tools, and support they need to accomplish their missions.
The Technology Analyst will work with the Senior Content Manager, the Lead Technology Analyst, and other members of the team to develop and maintain content for a nonprofit audience; manage our internal computer lab; research and test technology solutions; and develop general content for the TechSoup Web site and TechSoup for Libraries.
We’re seeking someone with hands-on technical experience and the ability to write clearly and in an engaging tone about technology subjects for audiences of varying levels of technology expertise. You should have an enthusiasm for staying on top of a rapidly changing field, an aptitude for writing about technology, and a desire to enhance the capacity of nonprofits and public libraries.
About this Position
As the Technology Analyst, you will be responsible for the following:
1. Creating Content
You will develop content — technology standards and best practices, articles, case studies, blog postings, and user support guides, or technology planning worksheets — for products available through TechSoup, as well as for online trainings for nonprofit and library audiences.
2. Providing Subject-Matter Expertise and In-depth Research
You'll be engaged in forecasting & serious research, coming up with the questions that engage our audience and determine user needs. You will develop and maintain a sound understanding of the technology issues affecting our audience. You will need to bring your expertise in expressing purposeful solutions for nonprofits.
Our audience spans a broad spectrum of IT knowledge, from beginner IT staff to CIOs, and you'll know how to address a variety of users. In addition, you'll help TechSoup’s various departments by using your sound grasp of technology to review content, make suggestions, vet proposals, and provide ideas.
You will need to be able to delve into varied technology areas and provide sound analysis and good summaries of a variety of technology-related topics, both on your own and in collaboration with others. You will also need to be able to focus on topics that are not your primary area of expertise or interest and meet deadlines for researching and producing content. This role requires good research and analysis skills. Even more importantly, it requires the flexibility and communication skills to ensure you provide internal clients with information that best serves their needs and shifting timelines. This is also an opportunity to provide your own ideas on how technology can increase the capacity of the nonprofit organizations.
3. Maintaining TechSoup’s Computer Lab
Working with the Lead Technical Analyst, you will help maintain the internal computer lab. The purpose of this lab is to create a space for TechSoup staff to conduct hands-on technology research and training in support of TechSoup’s services. Tasks could include assisting in the production of webinars, managing reservations, providing limited technical support to users, and lab set up and maintenance. You'll contribute your ideas to making improvements and help develop new solutions to support internal clients.
4. Project Coordination and Administration
You will need to track administrative tasks such as writing project summaries and outlines, and responding to questions about projects or online events.
5. Other Work as Required
We’re a fast-paced and dynamic organization. You’ll need to be able to work in a flexible environment that changes quickly and provides many opportunities for input and new ideas.
Qualifications
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Knowledge:
* Understanding of the technology needs of nonprofits and the challenges in implementing technology solutions that they face.
* Knowledge of Web 2.0 tools and technology trends.
* Experience using a content management system.
Skills:
* Skills should include desktop support, server- and network-level administration, information security, and technology planning and management.
Abilities:
* Proven ability to write clearly and engagingly on technology subjects for audiences of varying levels of technology expertise.
* Ability to research and evaluate technology for a nonprofit audience.
* Demonstrated ability to work with other technology experts on collaborative projects.
* Ability to speak engagingly about technology in person and by phone.
* Ability to manage workload and prioritize tasks.
* Ability to work in front of the computer for most of the day.
* Ability to be polite, professional, and flexible in the midst of a deadline-driven, fast-paced environment.
* Enthusiasm for meeting and talking with a wide variety of people from diverse backgrounds about technology issues.
Preferred Skills and Experience
* Enterprise-level experience is a plus.
* Familiarity with emerging trends in IT, such as cloud computing, virtualization, systems integration, social networking platforms, and/or mobile technologies.
* At least three years of technical problem-solving and systems administration experience
* Audio/visual experience.
* Experience consulting or working with nonprofit organizations.
* Experience participating in online forums.
* Familiarity with A.P. Style.
* Ability to copyedit and proofread content.
Other Requirements
Physical Demands & Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Physical Demands:
* Prolonged telephone duties using handset, headset and computer located at the TechSoup Global facility
* Prolonged keyboard duties
* Access, input & retrieve information from a computer to produce typed copy, free of errors, without the assistance of another person
* Willingness and capacity to work in a cubicle environment at a workstation, and to come and go repeatedly throughout the day as is necessary, to perform various responsibilities
* Capacity to communicate and enunciate adequately, in person or via telephone, in a manner which can be understood by those with whom the employee is speaking
* Capability of dialing or otherwise using a telephone to place calls
* Capacity to pick up, leaf through and read books, files and other materials
* Willingness and capacity to sit/stand for minimum periods of two hours at a time
* Capacity to reach forward to a high of 48 inches, to a low of 15 inches, to the side 54 inches and to the low side 9 inches above the floor
* Ability to lift and/or move up to 20 pounds
* Ability to load discs and to change settings, devices, fixtures, etc., on various equipment used in and around TechSoup Global
Work Environment:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be exposed to various components of an office environment such as florescent lighting, pollen, dust, recycled air, cooling fans, VDTs, semi-enclosed areas, central heating, seasonal warmer temperatures and office noise
Application Procedure
To apply:
1. Review our Web sites at www.techsoup.org, www.techsoup.org/stock, http://www.techsoupforlibraries.org/, http://www.techsoup.org/learningcenter/, and http://blog.techsoup.org/.
2. Email your cover letter, resume and at least three writing samples (demonstrating your ability to write about technology for a broad audience) to [SEE ADDRESS BELOW].
No phone calls please.
About TechSoup Global
TechSoup Global is a nonprofit organization that has been successful in creating a suite of high impact services that facilitate corporate philanthropy and benefit community service organizations in a financially sustainable model. For more than two decades, our mission has been to work toward the day when every community service organization on the planet has access to the technology resources and information they need to achieve their own missions. Founded in 1987, we currently have more than 170 staff members and an annual budget of about $23 million. TechSoup Global helps other nonprofits better serve their missions by acquiring and using technology, implementing web and social networking, and receiving grant funding and product donations.
Working with capacity-building partners across the world, TechSoup Global is actively expanding our program outside the US. We establish partnerships with in-country NGOs to implement our highly effective product donation program, while adapting to local business practices, laws, and cultural imperatives. In the process, we’re building a global network of partners all focused on empowering NGOs through the effective use of technology. We’re in 22 countries to date and adding more each month.
Through our TechSoup Stock website, nonprofits find a broad range of software donated by leading tech companies such as Microsoft, Cisco, Symantec, Intuit, and Adobe, along with content and community resources tailored specifically for a nonprofit audience. To date we have enabled over $1 billion in technology donations world wide.
Based upon the strength of our global network, our expertise in building scalable web systems, our history of working both with donors and with recipient NGOs, and our experience building one of the fastest growing sustainable social enterprises, TechSoup Global was recently selected to build a new service for international philanthropy. Backed by major foundations and key philanthropy sector partners, this new service will create a global database of nonprofits and NGOs, making it easier and less costly for international grantmakers to provide cash grants to social benefit organizations in countries outside the U.S.
TechSoup Global is dedicated to creating and supporting an environment of openness, trust, and fun where people's differences are valued and respected, and where people of diverse backgrounds participate fully in our organization. We believe that the diverse cultures and perspectives of our staff will help us better serve our clients. TechSoup Global is an equal opportunity agency and will not allow discrimination based upon race, color, creed, religion, sex, marital status, domestic partner status, ancestry, national origin, weight, height, physical or mental handicap, pregnancy, medical condition, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship, veteran status, AIDS/HIV status, age, or socioeconomic background.
payscale: DOE
job type: full-time
TechSoup is a nonprofit that serves as a free IT department for the nonprofit sector. Most people in the nonprofit world know about us for our software donation program, but we do a lot more than that.
What we need for this position is someone with good, professional writing experience, who also has a reasonably high degree of tech expertise (though not necessarily education). Having professional experience in the nonprofit world is also a huge plus.
Please apply at the address below, but also send me a Mefimail and let me know you're applying. I won't lie about you if I don't know you, but I will make sure that your resume gets into the right hands.
TechSoup Global is looking for a creative, technically-minded analyst and writer to create content as part of the Content team, which works to provide nonprofits and libraries with technology information, tools, and support they need to accomplish their missions.
The Technology Analyst will work with the Senior Content Manager, the Lead Technology Analyst, and other members of the team to develop and maintain content for a nonprofit audience; manage our internal computer lab; research and test technology solutions; and develop general content for the TechSoup Web site and TechSoup for Libraries.
We’re seeking someone with hands-on technical experience and the ability to write clearly and in an engaging tone about technology subjects for audiences of varying levels of technology expertise. You should have an enthusiasm for staying on top of a rapidly changing field, an aptitude for writing about technology, and a desire to enhance the capacity of nonprofits and public libraries.
About this Position
As the Technology Analyst, you will be responsible for the following:
1. Creating Content
You will develop content — technology standards and best practices, articles, case studies, blog postings, and user support guides, or technology planning worksheets — for products available through TechSoup, as well as for online trainings for nonprofit and library audiences.
2. Providing Subject-Matter Expertise and In-depth Research
You'll be engaged in forecasting & serious research, coming up with the questions that engage our audience and determine user needs. You will develop and maintain a sound understanding of the technology issues affecting our audience. You will need to bring your expertise in expressing purposeful solutions for nonprofits.
Our audience spans a broad spectrum of IT knowledge, from beginner IT staff to CIOs, and you'll know how to address a variety of users. In addition, you'll help TechSoup’s various departments by using your sound grasp of technology to review content, make suggestions, vet proposals, and provide ideas.
You will need to be able to delve into varied technology areas and provide sound analysis and good summaries of a variety of technology-related topics, both on your own and in collaboration with others. You will also need to be able to focus on topics that are not your primary area of expertise or interest and meet deadlines for researching and producing content. This role requires good research and analysis skills. Even more importantly, it requires the flexibility and communication skills to ensure you provide internal clients with information that best serves their needs and shifting timelines. This is also an opportunity to provide your own ideas on how technology can increase the capacity of the nonprofit organizations.
3. Maintaining TechSoup’s Computer Lab
Working with the Lead Technical Analyst, you will help maintain the internal computer lab. The purpose of this lab is to create a space for TechSoup staff to conduct hands-on technology research and training in support of TechSoup’s services. Tasks could include assisting in the production of webinars, managing reservations, providing limited technical support to users, and lab set up and maintenance. You'll contribute your ideas to making improvements and help develop new solutions to support internal clients.
4. Project Coordination and Administration
You will need to track administrative tasks such as writing project summaries and outlines, and responding to questions about projects or online events.
5. Other Work as Required
We’re a fast-paced and dynamic organization. You’ll need to be able to work in a flexible environment that changes quickly and provides many opportunities for input and new ideas.
Qualifications
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Knowledge:
* Understanding of the technology needs of nonprofits and the challenges in implementing technology solutions that they face.
* Knowledge of Web 2.0 tools and technology trends.
* Experience using a content management system.
Skills:
* Skills should include desktop support, server- and network-level administration, information security, and technology planning and management.
Abilities:
* Proven ability to write clearly and engagingly on technology subjects for audiences of varying levels of technology expertise.
* Ability to research and evaluate technology for a nonprofit audience.
* Demonstrated ability to work with other technology experts on collaborative projects.
* Ability to speak engagingly about technology in person and by phone.
* Ability to manage workload and prioritize tasks.
* Ability to work in front of the computer for most of the day.
* Ability to be polite, professional, and flexible in the midst of a deadline-driven, fast-paced environment.
* Enthusiasm for meeting and talking with a wide variety of people from diverse backgrounds about technology issues.
Preferred Skills and Experience
* Enterprise-level experience is a plus.
* Familiarity with emerging trends in IT, such as cloud computing, virtualization, systems integration, social networking platforms, and/or mobile technologies.
* At least three years of technical problem-solving and systems administration experience
* Audio/visual experience.
* Experience consulting or working with nonprofit organizations.
* Experience participating in online forums.
* Familiarity with A.P. Style.
* Ability to copyedit and proofread content.
Other Requirements
Physical Demands & Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Physical Demands:
* Prolonged telephone duties using handset, headset and computer located at the TechSoup Global facility
* Prolonged keyboard duties
* Access, input & retrieve information from a computer to produce typed copy, free of errors, without the assistance of another person
* Willingness and capacity to work in a cubicle environment at a workstation, and to come and go repeatedly throughout the day as is necessary, to perform various responsibilities
* Capacity to communicate and enunciate adequately, in person or via telephone, in a manner which can be understood by those with whom the employee is speaking
* Capability of dialing or otherwise using a telephone to place calls
* Capacity to pick up, leaf through and read books, files and other materials
* Willingness and capacity to sit/stand for minimum periods of two hours at a time
* Capacity to reach forward to a high of 48 inches, to a low of 15 inches, to the side 54 inches and to the low side 9 inches above the floor
* Ability to lift and/or move up to 20 pounds
* Ability to load discs and to change settings, devices, fixtures, etc., on various equipment used in and around TechSoup Global
Work Environment:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be exposed to various components of an office environment such as florescent lighting, pollen, dust, recycled air, cooling fans, VDTs, semi-enclosed areas, central heating, seasonal warmer temperatures and office noise
Application Procedure
To apply:
1. Review our Web sites at www.techsoup.org, www.techsoup.org/stock, http://www.techsoupforlibraries.org/, http://www.techsoup.org/learningcenter/, and http://blog.techsoup.org/.
2. Email your cover letter, resume and at least three writing samples (demonstrating your ability to write about technology for a broad audience) to [SEE ADDRESS BELOW].
No phone calls please.
About TechSoup Global
TechSoup Global is a nonprofit organization that has been successful in creating a suite of high impact services that facilitate corporate philanthropy and benefit community service organizations in a financially sustainable model. For more than two decades, our mission has been to work toward the day when every community service organization on the planet has access to the technology resources and information they need to achieve their own missions. Founded in 1987, we currently have more than 170 staff members and an annual budget of about $23 million. TechSoup Global helps other nonprofits better serve their missions by acquiring and using technology, implementing web and social networking, and receiving grant funding and product donations.
Working with capacity-building partners across the world, TechSoup Global is actively expanding our program outside the US. We establish partnerships with in-country NGOs to implement our highly effective product donation program, while adapting to local business practices, laws, and cultural imperatives. In the process, we’re building a global network of partners all focused on empowering NGOs through the effective use of technology. We’re in 22 countries to date and adding more each month.
Through our TechSoup Stock website, nonprofits find a broad range of software donated by leading tech companies such as Microsoft, Cisco, Symantec, Intuit, and Adobe, along with content and community resources tailored specifically for a nonprofit audience. To date we have enabled over $1 billion in technology donations world wide.
Based upon the strength of our global network, our expertise in building scalable web systems, our history of working both with donors and with recipient NGOs, and our experience building one of the fastest growing sustainable social enterprises, TechSoup Global was recently selected to build a new service for international philanthropy. Backed by major foundations and key philanthropy sector partners, this new service will create a global database of nonprofits and NGOs, making it easier and less costly for international grantmakers to provide cash grants to social benefit organizations in countries outside the U.S.
TechSoup Global is dedicated to creating and supporting an environment of openness, trust, and fun where people's differences are valued and respected, and where people of diverse backgrounds participate fully in our organization. We believe that the diverse cultures and perspectives of our staff will help us better serve our clients. TechSoup Global is an equal opportunity agency and will not allow discrimination based upon race, color, creed, religion, sex, marital status, domestic partner status, ancestry, national origin, weight, height, physical or mental handicap, pregnancy, medical condition, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship, veteran status, AIDS/HIV status, age, or socioeconomic background.
payscale: DOE
job type: full-time
This job has been filled.