UNC Linux Users Group

[Jeff Bollinger <jeff01 AT email.unc.edu>]

FYI below - note that this is probably the first time I've received a
message like this.  I didn't do any research on them, but thought I'd
pass it on anyway.  Please let me know if you think this is an
inappropriate use of the list.  I know there are a bunch of active
students on the list still so it may be of some interest to you.

Thanks!
Jeff
(list admin)


-------- Original Message --------
Subject: tech non-profit hoping to connect with unclug members
Date: Tue, 09 Jan 2007 17:19:09 -0500
From: Vanessa Hamer <vhamer AT openplans.org>
To: jeff01 AT email.unc.edu

Dear UNCLUG,

I am writing to ask for some advice. I work at The Open Planning
Project, a small high-tech non-profit building technology to grease the
wheels of democracy. We're applying open source software and thinking to
real-world problems - the result is projects like OpenPlans (our
wiki-based suite of tools for community organizing) and GeoServer (a GIS
engine). I mention all of this to explain why we tend to attract very
talented programmers (and others) whose interests lie a bit outside the
mainstream. We're hoping to connect with students who want to direct
their technical expertise toward social issues in ways that are
big-thinking and effective, and LUG groups at other schools have been a
great way to do that.

We are hiring for both full-time and paid internship positions, so I'm
writing to ask whether you might be willing to share the job post below
with your membership. Wouldn't want to spam you out, but I thought it
might be of interest.

Hope you'll let me know what you think. Any help you might be able to
provide would be greatly appreciated.

Best,
Vanessa


Vanessa Hamer
The Open Planning Project
topp.openplans.org






Open Source Software Engineer

Dream of a job that lets you release all your code open source? TOPP is
a high-tech non-profit building virtual tools for real-world change. Our
software helps people build a more transparent, sustainable, and
democratic society. We are looking for software developers who want to
put their skills to good use.



We offer a job you’ll love in an environment you’ll want to come to. Run
like a start-up, we invest in the best people and treat them right. Our
West Village offices are home to some of the most fun and passionate
people in New York. TOPP has competitive salaries and great benefits
(all the basics, plus lunch every day and five weeks of vacation). More
importantly, we offer a challenge: to build great software that has the
potential to change the status quo.





Job Requirements



If you’re a creative thinker who is at home in many development
environments, let’s talk. We’re looking for computer engineers who have
a solid base in algorithms, object-oriented programming, databases and
design patterns. HCI skills are a plus. We seek people who are
comfortable switching languages, picking the right tool for the job.
Experience with community organizing, online collaboration tools, and
volunteering are all positives. Come join other innovators who dare to
measure their code by its real-world impact.





Job Description



You will work on our new “OpenPlans” software, a free, hosted, and
integrated suite of web-based tools. As Sourceforge takes the hassle out
of setting up an open source project, so OpenPlans provides the
collaboration tools for the active citizen.



The base of the software is currently wikis and email lists/forums,
which are continually refined so even people who have never heard of a
wiki can collaborate and get things done. We are incorporating
additional tools (blogs, task trackers, etc.) and making it simple to
integrate our tools into other sites. We will continually innovate and
adapt new features, growing organically with user needs. Our language of
choice is Python, and OpenPlans is primarily based on Zope and Plone. We
tap into the best of the wider open source world when appropriate (our
task tracker is built on Pylons, our site integration XSLT, etc.).



As part of our team, you will improve usability and build new features.



- Design and build new online tools for community organizing

- Work with users and designers to ensure that Open Plans is a joy to use

- Contribute to wider Zope and Plone open source communities

- Write clear, commented, well-designed code with full test suites

- Be a team player who helps put out production quality releases on a
quick, iterative cycle



Opportunities for specialization in:



- Front end usability: customize and streamline user interaction through
AJAX improvements to static pages and discussions with active users.

- Back-end architecture and scalability: work with system administrator
on caching and performance improvements to database and web tier in
order to scale to millions of users

- New feature ideation, design, prototyping and implementation: bring
new interactive web tools to OpenPlans, incorporating and inventing the
latest technologies for community collaboration

- Testing and quality assurance: instrument testing environment to
ensure latest improvements don’t break old features, and perform
interaction analysis.

- Information Architecture: contribute to the overall design and
interaction of the framework that underlies the site, making it a true
platform of collaboration.



To apply, please email your resume (including GPA) and a good cover
letter to jobs AT openplans.org. Let us know why you’re interested in
working for The Open Planning Project. We want to learn more about you
than just what will fit on a resume.



To learn more, visit topp.openplans.org.