Re: Posting on TECHWR-L

[Sarah Bernstein <sarahber -at- MICROSOFT -dot- COM>]

> At Microsoft we WRITE to a bigger audience. Exciting opportunities are
> available in our Redmond, Washington headquarters for Programmer Writers,
> Technical Writers, Technical Editors, and Documentation Managers,
> Usability Engineers and Subject matter experts.  If you are interested in
> shaping the future of software User Education and information delivery,
> please email your résumé in ASCII text format to write -at- microsoft -dot- com
> <mailto:write -at- microsoft -dot- com>
>
> Documentation Manager
> Primary responsibilities include leading a team of writers and editors
> creating high-quality documentation for Microsoft Exchange Server. Your
> team will design and deliver information targeted for delivery through
> printed manuals, HTML Help, and the web. You'll work closely with
> Development, Program Management, Testing, and Marketing to provide input
> into product design. Other responsibilities include determining plans and
> schedules for all Exchange UE deliverables, which involves keeping up with
> the rapid pace of Exchange development and understanding the technologies
> and their impact on documentation; researching audience needs through
> direct customer contact; driving decisions on deliverable media, including
> HTML Help, web, and print; recommending staffing and other resource needs;
> hiring qualified full-time and temporary staff; ensuring development and
> support plans exist for all staff; conducting performance reviews;
> Coordinating with other Server Applications UE groups such as design,
> tools, production and localization. Qualifications: Previous software
> documentation shipping experience with a demonstrated understanding of the
> principles of information delivery required. Proven technical experience,
> demonstrated success in managing projects and staff, as well as excellent
> communication, team and interpersonal skills required. Experience with
> server applications desired. A BA/BS degree in Technical Communications or
> a related discipline with a minimum of 2 years documentation management
> experience preferred.
> PROGRAMMER/WRITER
> Primary responsibilities include defining and delivering innovative,
> developer-oriented, and solution-based programming documentation for
> Visual C++. This includes defining audience needs and working with
> developers, Program Managers, Product Managers, and Support Engineers in
> determining appropriate content; working with editors and other User
> Education staff to provide high-quality documentation; and ensuring all
> material is tested and properly reviewed. Qualifications should include at
> least 3 years experience as a programmer/developer, including writing and
> analyzing sample code; excellent oral and written communication skills;
> proven organizational ability; proven problem-solving skills; demonstrated
> teamwork skills; and a strong interest in software and leading-edge
> computer technology. Programming experience in VC++ using ATL or MFC
> required. A BA/BS degree in Computer Science, Technical Communications or
> related discipline preferred. This description has been designed to
> indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees
> within this position. The actual duties, responsibilities, and
> qualifications may vary based on assignment or group.
> TECHNICAL EDITOR
> Primary responsibilities include designing and editing online, web, and
> print documentation to support Visual Studio customers in architecting and
> developing enterprise-level applications. Editor will work with
> experienced team of writers and editors to build a new suite of
> first-class documentation from a combination of new and redesigned
> existing content. Contributions will include the opportunity to assess and
> improve suite-wide documentation design and integration, as well as
> innovate in delivering information year-round to our developer community.
> Coordination responsibilities include working across multiple product and
> content delivery teams, as well as with marketing and technical evangelism
> groups. Qualifications should include a minimum of 5 years technical
> documentation editing experience, with proven developmental, language, and
> copyediting expertise. An in-depth understanding of usability issues and
> how to address them with good information design is necessary. Excellent
> communication, problem-solving, and leadership skills are required,
> including experience architecting content for online delivery,
> coordinating project schedules, and building successful partnerships with
> multiple teams. Programming experience developing enterprise applications,
> as well as demonstrated skills in Visual Basic, Visual C++, Visual
> InterDev, Visual J++, or other web scripting language(s) preferred. Must
> have proven ability to work successfully individually and as a team
> player. A BA/BS degree in Technical Communications or related field
> desired.
> PROGRAMMER/WRITER
> Primary responsibilities include writing technical documentation for
> products aimed at a key Microsoft market -- Microsoft Office developers.
> The successful candidate must understand object-oriented programming,
> application frameworks and class libraries, and core Microsoft
> technologies such as SQL and Access. Must also be able to create both
> conceptual and reference content, using interviews with product developers
> and program managers, specifications, source code, header files, user
> feedback and other usability information, and other sources.
> Qualifications include a minimum of two years technical writing
> experience, a demonstrated ability to design, write, and analyze example
> code, and evidence of an ability to collaborate effectively within a
> product development team. A degree in Technical Communication, Computer
> Science, or an equivalent field is preferred. Knowledge of HTML-based
> publishing is a plus.
> USABILITY
> Usability Manager of Microsoft's BackOffice Usability Engineering group.
> As
> manager you will lead a group of 12 usability engineers responsible for
> all of Microsoft's server products, including Windows 2000 Server,
> Exchange Server, SQL Server, Internet Information Server, Site Server,
> BackOffice Server, and Small Business Server. Responsibilities include:
> Defining new methods for conducting user research for network and server
> products. Leading user research efforts on work practices and new user
> interfaces for network and server management. Collaborating with leads in
> program management and product design in defining strategic functional and
> UI directions for network and server management applications. Guiding the
> development and work of usability engineers in the BackOffice group.
> Recruiting and hiring full-time, contract, and intern usability engineers
> as necessary. Usability engineering has a 10-year history at Microsoft.
> Unlike other product areas, usability engineers began to work
> systematically with Microsoft's server product groups only recently. These
> products push the limits of the current usability engineering because:
> Network and server administrators are concerned with long-term efficiency.
> Traditional usability methods largely focus on problems in learning for
> beginning or intermittent users rather than long-term usage patterns. The
> task environment is highly complex and dynamic. Server systems typically
> involve many different hardware and software products with a large number
> of known and unknown dependencies. Replicating these environments in
> lab-based testing is difficult. Alternate research methods are needed to
> support iterative design. Organizational as well as individual performance
> is key. Networks and servers are often managed by groups of formally and
> informally related individuals. Few extant user research methods evaluate
> the usability of software when used by multiple individuals to
> troubleshoot problems or configure systems. Microsoft is committed to
> advancing the state-of-the-art in both usability engineering and the
> usability of Microsoft's server products. As usability manager of the
> BackOffice usability group, you can play a key role in driving both of
> these objectives. The BackOffice product unit offers the advantages of
> both a small business (easy access to key decision makers, minimal
> bureaucracy) and a fast-growing, large companies. Qualifications include
> 5+ years experience as a usability engineer in the software industry.
> Experience shipping at least 2 commercially available products. In-depth
> background and experience with conducting applied research throughout the
> product development process, including hands-on experience with customer
> needs analysis, contextual inquiry, focus groups, survey design and
> analysis, experimental design, iterative testing, heuristic evaluation,
> paper prototyping, cognitive walkthroughs, and task analysis. 1+ year
> managing the work of other usability engineers, including project
> management, performance reviews, mentoring, and supporting individual
> contributor's career development. Experience in Microsoft Windows user
> interface guidelines and user interface design principles required.
> Ability to develop Ul prototypes in languages such as Visual Basic UI
> preferred. Knowledge of Microsoft Windows NT Server, Exchange Server, SQL
> Server, and Internet Information Server preferred. Knowledge of networking
> and server technologies preferred. MA in human factors psychology (or
> related discipline) required, Ph.D. preferred.
>
> USABILITY ENGINEER
> Microsoft's Interactive Media group is seeking an experienced usability
> engineer to direct and conduct our usability effort for the Internet bill
> presentment. Responsibilities include planning and conducting usability
> tests, design reviews and field studies; analyzing and reporting the
> results of this work to the development team; working with potential
> Microsoft customers to aid them in the interface design for bill
> presentment; leading the design effort regarding the end user interaction
> design for bill presentment; and designing of the interface for system
> managers who will operate and maintain such systems. Longer-term duties
> include developing an overall plan for improving the usability of bill
> presentment and directing usability data gathering in relation to the
> business goals and user experience. This position will be responsible for
> tracking usability issues and assessing the effectiveness of the usability
> effort. You will be working with a group of 14 usability engineers in a
> growth area for Microsoft. Qualifications include undergraduate and
> graduate training in psychology, human factors, or industrial engineering
> and experience in applied usability work in a commercial setting. Position
> requirements include a thorough knowledge of methods for gathering
> usability data and of the existing research in human computer interface
> design with a particular emphasis on the design of forms for commercial
> transactions over the Web; must be able to lead design projects for large
> customers; must effectively communicate testing and field research results
> and recommendations to the design/development team; and must have an
> understanding of the operational and technical issues in developing and
> maintaining large, mission-critical systems based in internet technology.
> Must be capable of working independently, have excellent oral and written
> communication skills, and must be strongly motivated to improve product
> design and usability methods.
> USABILITY ENGINEER
> Microsoft's Interactive Media group is seeking an experienced usability
> engineer to direct and conduct our usability effort for the Internet bill
> presentment. Responsibilities include planning and conducting usability
> tests, design reviews and field studies; analyzing and reporting the
> results of this work to the development team; working with potential
> Microsoft customers to aid them in the interface design for bill
> presentment; leading the design effort regarding the end user interaction
> design for bill presentment; and designing of the interface for system
> managers who will operate and maintain such systems. Longer-term duties
> include developing an overall plan for improving the usability of bill
> presentment and directing usability data gathering in relation to the
> business goals and user experience. This position will be responsible for
> tracking usability issues and assessing the effectiveness of the usability
> effort. You will be working with a group of 14 usability engineers in a
> growth area for Microsoft. Qualifications include undergraduate and
> graduate training in psychology, human factors, or industrial engineering
> and experience in applied usability work in a commercial setting. Position
> requirements include a thorough knowledge of methods for gathering
> usability data and of the existing research in human computer interface
> design with a particular emphasis on the design of forms for commercial
> transactions over the Web; must be able to lead design projects for large
> customers; must effectively communicate testing and field research results
> and recommendations to the design/development team; and must have an
> understanding of the operational and technical issues in developing and
> maintaining large, mission-critical systems based in internet technology.
> Must be capable of working independently, have excellent oral and written
> communication skills, and must be strongly motivated to improve product
> design and usability methods.
> SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT
> This person's primary responsibility will be to create technically
> advanced, multimedia content for future "Mastering Series" titles focused
> on Internet development and Visual Tools technologies, both for
> application development and across the enterprise. This person's
> short-term goal will be to become an expert in these areas. Qualifications
> should include Microsoft Windows (MFC, or VJ++, or VB) and OLE/COM
> programming experience and with solid research skills, instructional
> savvy, and communication skills be able to create this content. In
> addition, this person will teach Microsoft trainer certification classes
> and will present sessions at technical conferences. Other qualifications
> include a genuine passion for technical training. Broad experience
> programming for Microsoft Windows in the Visual Tools. Experience creating
> OLE servers and OLE containers. A thorough understanding of Windows and
> OLE/COM system architecture and implementation and excellent written and
> verbal communications skills, including good presentation and facilitation
> skills. Strong problem solving and organizational skills. Must be able to
> organize information for efficient and effective teaching. Self-motivated,
> proven ability to learn quickly and work independently. Demonstrated
> ability to work with others as part of a development team. Willingness to
> travel as needed. Preferred experience includes experience with
> Internet/Intranet development. Experience with ActiveX and COM+ tools and
> technologies. Experience with technical writing and/or training
> development. Experience with multiple computing platforms. Experience with
> large scale Client/Server system design and development. Some domestic and
> international travel will be necessary. Estimate 1 to 2 international
> trips, and 1-2 domestic trips per year averaging a week each in length.
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