Computerworld - December 19, 2011

for which Buzzell is seeing demand, as well as the ideal candidate’s qualifications:

n Network AdmiNistrAtor

Work in a team environment to support a complex Cisco-based network, proactively administering, monitoring and analyzing network performance and using monitoring tools and alerts to provide 24/7 network availability. Responsible for following established standards and best practices. Must create and maintain up-to-date documentation of network design, operation and procedures.

“dream” qualifications:

1. A firm understanding and working knowledge of an enterprise network environment, with a strong grasp of routing protocols, TCP/IP, DHCP, VPN and PIX firewall operations.

2. Experience with Cisco IOS routers, switches, PIX appliances and wireless infrastructure, as well as familiarity with TACLANE encryption technology.

one of the questions
i ask in interviews is,
‘why do you want
to be a manager?’
the right answer
is, ‘i’m passionate
about helping people
better themselves.’

one location. “dream” qualifications:

1. Recent work with ERP software and implementation of customer processes.

2. Strong communication and analytical skills for working closely with end users and business process owners.

3. Project management experience.

douglas menefee

CIO, Schumacher Group

with 20% to 30% ANNuAl growth

at Schumacher Group, demand for IT staff is high, says Douglas Menefee, CIO at the emergency medicine management company. Just this past year, the IT staff increased from 55 people to 92.

To fill entry-level tech support jobs, Menefee looks for people with a basic knowledge of technology and strong oral and written communication skills. “Most organizations would call this Level 1 support, but I view it as a ‘concierge’ of IT, as they need to guide and serve users,” he says. He’s also seeking entry-level developers with knowledge of Ruby on Rails, Java and the Salesforce.com environment.

Menefee says Schumacher has two
types of jobs for midcareer I T profession-
als: technology- and management-track
positions. When filling the latter, he says,
“One of the questions I ask in interviews
is, ‘ Why do you want to be a manager?’
The right answer is, ‘I’m passionate about
helping people better themselves.’ ” He
warns these candidates that they’ll spend
In the technology track, Menefee says there’s a need for busi-
ness analysts and business solution analysts. Strong candidates
would have five to 10 years of experience, good technology and
communication skills, proven teamwork capabilities and subject-
matter expertise, he says.

He sees a lot of demand for candidates to fill these positions:

douglAs meNefee,

CIO, SCHUMACHER GROUP

n teChNiCAl projeCt mANAger/ eNterprise projeCt mANAger

Participates in the planning of new products and improvements for Microsoft Project Server, and then develops the plan and leads a team in executing that plan. Performs administrative procedures, such as setting up the project in the project management system, determining required artifacts, reviewing schedule and estimates with program manager and business partners, obtaining formal approvals, maintaining project metrics and ensuring project quality. Provides day-to-day work direction and assistance to a professional staff. Determines and secures resources needed to ensure successful project completion. “dream” qualifications:

1. Communication skills.

2. Demonstrable experience managing large, multidivision and even international projects.

3. Project Management Institute certification.

4. Expert-level experience with Microsoft Project Server (2007/2010) or another project management system.

Buzzell is also seeing demand for tech-focused personnel who work under the hood dealing with integration issues, algorithms, security and networking software. In particular, he sees demand for people to fill this type of position:

n erp implemeNtAtioN speCiAlist/erp developer This role will focus on implementing, enhancing or extending the ERP environment (including Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, Great Plains and SAP systems) or creating custom integrations from the ERP system to the front-office website. May include tying in remote collection of data from tablets or Web-based systems to the ERP system, as companies work to make environments more seamless and get all the data into

n AppliCAtioN systems ANAlyst iii

Reviews, analyzes and evaluates business systems and user needs. Formulates systems to be in sync with business strategies. Writes a detailed description of user needs, program functions and steps required to develop or modify computer programs. Is familiar with relational database concepts and client/server concepts. Relies on some experience and judgment for planning and accomplishing goals.