Re: pittance

What the fech is going on in the tech world? I am frustrated with these 
pay rates. It is very disturbing, career-wise. Take for example the job 
posting I share below... The only thing it has to do with perl-jobs is 
that Perl must be used somewhere in the 70+ host infrastructure which 
they want managed and evolved! (so I hope this post is OK).

This company had my resume on file from a previous job application. I 
had not been aware of the job until their recent unsolicited telephone 
call; soliciting my interest. The questioning leaned toward special 
projects and application development with SQL (for the company's 
internal applications).

However, the resume promotes the job as 90% infrastructure, and not 
development. So they are trying to get both birds with one stone, it 
appears. So, after performing what amounted to a mini-interview on the 
phone, they dropped the bomb: *the RATE*. Afterwards there was a long 
"pregnant pause" as, I presume, we both were trying to determine what 
to say next.

So I asked, "Is Technician Level I, 'high'; and Technician Level V, 
'low'?"

The answer was "No".

WTF?!?

Here is the job posting for your ironic reading. I would have expected 
a job like this to pay $40-60+ in a metropolitan area (high rent) and 
$25-$35 in a small city. Whereas this position appears to max out at 
$22/hr.

####

Job Post: 3/27/04
Application Deadline: 4/2/04       /* I guess they expected a swarm of 
applications */

Position Title:  Information Systems Technician IV            
                       
Reports to:  Manager of Data Services                         
Supervises:       N/A
Shift:  40 hours per week, overtime dictated by job requirements,
            on call rotation required. 
Pay Grade:       9         
  Hourly Wage Range: $16.90 to $22.82/per hour, Non-exempt


Position Summary

The primary mission of the IS Technician IV is to provide network 
operations support and maintenance to BRANDED-SERVICE customers.  
Position involves maintaining over 70 servers, working with numerous 
routers and switches, and working in a team environment to assist in 
the development and deployment of additional features and services.  
Responsible for maintaining and deploying Cisco switches, routers, 
firewalls and Unix and Windows hosts.  The position requires 6 years IT 
industry experience, 30 months focus in specialty area, and major 
industry certification (CCNP, RHCE, or other).  Must have strong IP 
networking skills along with proficiency in one or more of the 
following: IP Security, Oracle, API code development, or administration 
of DNS, email, or Unix.


Essential Duties and Responsibilities

·        Build server solutions based upon core Linux, Sun, and 
Microsoft network products.
·        Maintain client email, DNS, and web server complexes on 
Microsoft and Linux platforms.
·        Maintain enterprise servers and systems.
·        Maintenance of Cisco based switches, routers, and firewall 
products.
·        Maintain network performance monitoring system.
·        Deploys new server/network solutions
·        Other duties as assigned by supervisor


Preferred Prerequisites

·        72 months of computer industry experience, with 30 months of 
experience in a focused IT technical specialty.
·        Experience in a large system / enterprise environment.
·        Experience in major IT project management and rollout.
·        Applicant must possess a current industry recognized advanced 
level certification (MCSE, CCNE, SANS, RHCE etc).
·        Applicant must possess an additional industry recognized 
certification or be able to demonstrate proficiency in an IT discipline 
separate from the advanced certification.
·        Proficiency with Microsoft and Red Hat Linux operating 
systems.  Additional experience with Sun / Solaris operating systems 
preferred.
·        VoIP, wireless, Oracle DBA experience a plus.
·        A high school diploma or equivalent.
·        Ability to professionally interact with customers and 
co-workers; strong verbal communication skills.
·        Intrinsic motivation desired; understands and supports company 
goals, including working overtime as needed.
·        Strong work ethic with an emphasis in team commitment desired
·        Valid driver’s license with satisfactory driving record 
(supplied by applicant).
·        Successful criminal background check is required (conducted by 
THE COMPANY in conjunction with the State Police).
·        Final applicants are required to take and satisfactorily pass 
a pre-employment drug test within 24 hours of notification (test 
appointment coordinated by THE COMPANY in conjunction with LOCAL 
HOSPITAL).

Physical Requirements

·        Ability to operate vehicles in company’s fleet