I was recently hired for a lateral move within OmniMegaCorp to another department with slightly different duties. I’m really excited about this move, because I get to get more involved with an area where I think computing is going: grid or “cluster” virtualized computing. These fault-tolerant, highly-reliable systems bring some amazing benefits for computing in environments that don’t demand the very highest performance from bare-metal machines. That said, they still offer substantial performance for very large infrastructure projects that tolerate latency well, and the systems-management and uptime benefits alone are enough for many to be willing to sacrifice a little performance for immense reliability.
As part of my transfer — which will involve sitting at the same desk I’ve been at for nearly half a decade — I was asked to write a job description of what I do in order to aid my current management in finding a replacement. I thought it might be entertaining for you, too.
Duck Soup Wrote: > 1. Projects that you are currently working on or soon to be involved with > 2. Functions that you are the primary contact for > 3. Days and duty at our failover site
To be honest, other that deployments, I have very few “projects” since so much of my work is standard duties and firefighting. That’s one of the things I look forward to in this move: more time to oversee projects from beginning to end, rather than being so reactive all the time.
Projects: * Linux/Solaris deployment wave 2. Given that our mass-deployment product doesn’t seem to be working on these subnets for Linux systems, this can be very on-site time-consuming. Check w/E. Honda for exact times. Main jobs are configuring the DRACs, ensuring network port requests go through, DNS coordination, making sure power/network is set up, assigning/labeling machines, installing base OS. * Ongoing migration of various Phase 1 and legacy machines to Xen/VMWare and alternative operating systems.
Standard duties: * Failover payment site backup rotation and maintenance (~2-3 hours per week), usually Thursday mornings. Roger Giggley and I shared this duty before, and they are production systems. I volunteered to do it each Thursday because it’s on my way to work, and quite a bit out of his way. * Backup monitoring, maintenance, and rotations: 10+ hours/week. About 3-5 hours actually rotating tapes. * Restores. This requires an on-site person to swap in tapes much of the time. 2-10 hours per week (depends where we are in the build cycle). * One-time backups. Often requires short-term ejects. Averages just a few hours per week, around 2-3 hours. * Service request queue. Rest of the week, performing miscellaneous on-site Linux/Solaris/HP-UX/AIX troubleshooting and maintenance. (~20 hours/week) * Attend Friday morning coordination meeting @ 10:00 AM US/Mountain. Provide reports and status updates for coordination with Logistics, IT, and Space/Power. Also report on downtime, if any. (~1 hour/week) * Provide support on general Linux/UNIX questions to peers/managers/directors in other development areas (~1 hour/week) * Provide on-site support for remote members of my team and other UNIX, storage, and backup teams who have encountered difficulty administering systems remotely (up to 10 hours/week) * Provide on-site support for other teams that require UNIX expertise, though not necessarily intervention (2-3 hours/week). * Handle auditing duties gracefully with external auditors. (a couple times a year) * Interface with vendors for hardware replacements and repair. (mostly OtherBigVendorCompetitor for backup systems and NAS)
Duties recently removed: * NAS administration (went to storage team) * SAN administration (went to storage team)
Useful skills for replacement: * Thorough understanding of Netbackup, robotic tape libraries, and fibre-channel architecture. * Linux, AIX, HP-UX, and Solaris administration abilities (though maybe the Linux stuff could be shuffled off to the new Linux team) * Demonstrate ability to automate processes with at least one scripting language (Perl and Posix Shell or Bash a plus) * Show familiarity with kernel rebuilding, performance tuning, and basic performance troubleshooting (familiar with “top”, “free”, “iostat”, “find”, etc.) * Be able to write an init script from scratch, including case() statements to handle at least stop/start requirement on Linux/Solaris. * Be familiar with at least one UNIX rapid deployment system (AIX: NIM, Solaris: Jumpstart, Linux: Kickstart, HP-UX: Ignite) * Familiarity with Xen, VMWare, and other virtualization technologies. * Self-directed with ability to work under severe time pressure and while juggling many equally-important high-priority items. * Able to communicate effectively via electronic mail, instant messenger, and phone. * Must be willing to carry mobile phone 24/7 and be available for on-call duties on occasional weekends. * Must be able to lift seventy pounds. * Willing to work strange hours occasionally to handle joint issues with staff in India.
So what does your job look like?
Most of the time I just stare at my desk
But it looks like I’m working. On an average week I get about 15 minutes of work done,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lKlmELQg_Y
The one I wrote when i left my last position…
Project Manager / Team Lead – Under general supervision from a Senior Manager, assumes responsibility for day-to-day operational management of all assigned activities and functions in a designated program area; including developing, implementing and evaluating program policies, procedures and standards; determining program service levels and enhancements; developing and monitoring program budgets; providing technical advice to staff, other departments, and other agencies, and performs related work as required.
Examples of Key Duties (Duties are illustrative and not inclusive) • Develops and directs the implementation of goals, objectives, policies, procedures and work standards where applicable for the assigned program; interprets and complies with all applicable federal and state regulations. • Monitors and directs or performs day-to-day operations of the assigned program to ensure that policies and procedures are being followed, that goals and objectives are met, and that services and projects are being accomplished efficiently and effectively; takes corrective action as necessary. • Prepares, submits and justifies budget enhancement requests to the Division Manager or Director. • Plans, organizes, administers, reviews and evaluates the work of subordinate professional, technical, support and operational staff where present. • Monitors and stays abreast of technological and operational changes that affect the activities and work processes of the program; makes recommendations for and develops and carries out improvements to the program to meet changing mission parameters and requirements. • Confers with and represents the program and the department in meetings with other departments and divisions; serves as the representative with a variety of groups and organizations; fosters collaborative working relationships to the benefit of the program and the department. • Prioritizes and allocates available program resources; makes recommendation for and executes changes to ensure maximum effective service; assists in developing new program function elements, including researching, compiling and analyzing supporting data. • Performs complex administrative duties requiring oversight, attention to detail and analysis; performs strategic planning and financial analysis, including assisting in preparation of program and project budgets to include staffing and operational needs. • Develops and maintains records that provide for the proper evaluation, control and documentation of assigned activities; prepares a variety of written correspondence, reports, procedures, directives and other materials. • Identifies business development opportunities as they relate to a specific project. • Performs other duties of a similar nature or level.
Qualifications:
Education and Experience: Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university with major coursework related to the area of Internetworking Technologies and three years of hands-on experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job as listed above. Must be able to pass a background investigation and obtain and maintain a minimum SECRET DoD security clearance
Knowledge of: (at entry) – Principles and practices of management and supervision – Government sector budgeting principles and practices – Theories, principles and operational practices applicable to the area of Information Assurance; – General Networking principles (TCP/IP & Optical) – Techniques for effective presentation, verbal & written.
Skill in: (at entry) – Developing program activities, goals and objectives – Applying theories, principles and procedures in the area of Information Assurance – Managing multiple tasks, often with competing deadlines – Providing leadership and motivating staff – Making effective presentations to individuals and groups – Developing, implementing, interpreting and explaining applicable regulations and guidance. – Preparing clear, concise and informative reports, correspondence and other written materials. – Handling difficult and sensitive situations, using sound judgment within general policy and legal guidelines