Hi fellow DCMM!

They always say that to find a job you have to work every possible lead so... I'm asking if anybody out there knows of any positions in the Baltimore/DC area. I'm open to moving pretty much anywhere in the US too, especially Chicago (where I'm from) or the western states (CO, WY, MT, etc).

I'm looking for a mid-level position in technical writing/editing, technical training or validation (for analytical instruments, as in FDA, especially 21 CFR part 11 ERES). Salary $50-60K (though I wouldn't turn down more! LOL). I have experience in customer service, teaching at the university level and in the pharma/biotech industry. I have a BA.

If anyone knows of any leads, I'd REALLY, REALLY appreciate your help. You can email me directly, PM me here or IM me (NekoWoman on AIM).

Thanks!

Deb

 

I'll check around here (NIH).

I'm a post-doc in a proteomics lab in the larger Lab of Pathology (National Cancer Institute) and we work very closely with the FDA.

Fingers crossed...

Marty

 

Thanks so much, Marty! :smile: :smile: :smile: :smile: :smile: :smile: :smile: :smile: :smile: :smile: :smile: :smile: :smile:

BTW, I'm NekoWoman at aol.com

 

Deb, have you tried all the online job search sites?

 

Yeah, I've tried all the major ones. I have my resume up all over. I've been told the internet is a bit of a crap shoot these days. There are so many old/dead resumes out there, it's hard for companies to muck through things. I got the contract position I have now from my resume on career builder, but I'm told technical writers and technical trainers aren't very common job positions.

I'm just trying to leverage everything I can. I was unemployed for about 14 months before I got this position (that included a move from Chicago to DC) -- though I did work part time. I just don't see this contract going much more than a few more months -- Christmas, at the latest. I don't want to go through a long search again... hence my ask for help.

 

NekoWoman,

You wouldn't happen to have any type of gov't clearance, would you? My brother had just been job-hunting in/around DC. He said that jobs in this area were hard to come by without one, but a dime-a-dozen with. If you do have one, I might have a website or two that could help out (but I'd have to check).

-Paul!

 

This seems to be a major issue that I was not aware of when I moved to DC. I don't have any clearances. The one company that considered me for gov't contract work and said they would help me get one suddenly lost interest when they realized that I spent two years living overseas (Japan) and have done a fair amount of traveling (Mexico, China, Hong Kong, Korea, Japan, Barbados). Apparently that makes it harder to get a clearance. Honestly government work seems like a secret club that you have to know someone to get into!

 

Having had gone through the whole getting-clearance-approved issue myself, it's a nightmare. 10x as much if you ever left the country. The reason why the company lost interest is because it would cost them extra $ to get you cleared, and it would take upwards of 2 years! For example, I had my clearance paperwork delayed because my father was born in Italy, and was a naturalized citizen. He left Italy 30+ years ago, and has just retired from the IRS himself!!

Of course, you can always get a clearance (and accepted into the 'club' ) by joining the military! Should I forward you the paperwork?

-Paul!

 

Ummm... I think I'm too old. Seriously though, I've thought about it a lot over the years. I'd be Navy if I did. I wanted to go to the Navel Academy when I was a senior in HS, but my dad talked me out of it... seems he thinks I have trouble with authority figures... as in I don't listen... and often do the opposite out of sheer rebellion... guess that's frowned upon in the military!

Anyhow... seems like I've highjacked my own thread!

Job leads? Anyone? Please!

 

Talk to these guys www.aci-hq.com they do all kinds of government contract work, most of it long term. They may have a need for technical writer types, I've worked with several of their people before. Some of the few contractor scum I actually had respect for...

ACI stands for Advanced Concepts Inc, although their employees call it All Cash Incentives....

 

Someone I used to work with sent me an e-mail message with positions open at the consulting firm he got his current position through. One of the positions sounds like a possibility for you (if you have any development experience). I would send them your resume in any event):

010910 $50.00/Hr
DULLES, VA 6 months to Perm
SW DEVELOPER/TECH. WRITER
The primary focus of this position will be to understand and document different applications currently running on, and under development for, Companies ATLAS platform. The individual will be involved in all phases of requirement definition/analysis, application design and development. We are looking for a highly motivated, self-directed individual who is capable of performing all tasks with a minimal amount of supervision. Typical deliverable are in direct support of our operations team and ensuring that they have the documents needed to successfully support enterprise class applications.
Technical:
- 10 years software development experience in C or C++ in a Unix environment
- Highly experienced in the client/server applications
- Ability to perform requirement analysis
- At least 2 years RDBMS & SQL experience – Oracle preferred
Planning / Team Work / Communication:
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to create and update project technical documents
- Thorough understanding of software development lifecycle and test processes
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team following established guidelines
- Ability to prepare tasks estimates, test schedules and to provide input to project(s) master schedule
- Excellent problem analysis, troubleshooting, and resolution skills
Pluses
- Linux
- Software/system performance knowledge
- Experience developing applications utilizing:
- DNS
- SIP
- SS7/TCAP
Education:
B.S. in Computer Science or related field

Tricia Giannetta
Exec. Assist/Office Manager
Venturi Technology Partners
703-293-9383 - phone
703-293-9710 - fax
www.venturipartners.com

 

Thanks David!

Geez... I am in the wrong line of work! Wish that I had some actual programming experience! Alas, though I am pretty darn savvy for an average joe, I'm not a computer techie. No amount of resume fluff can make me one... but I'll send in my resume to them nonetheless -- you never know what might come up!

Thanks ever so much for the tip! I really appreciate it!

Deb

 

We just listed something like 10 jobs at the college where I teach and will be listing 10-15 more soon, but every one of them requires a high level clearance. Sorry, if I hear of anything I'll pipe up again. steve