The second in my Recruiting Hall of Shame - Job ads that are in essence discriminatory on the basis of disability or age. The second is Penn Mutual
Title: Enterprise Network Analyst
Salary Level: Level 20 or 21 (47,895-76,529)
Enterprise Technology Services
Department: Information Technology
HR Contact: *****************
POSITION PURPOSE:
Provide technical support for Penn Mutual’s enterprise Novell and Microsoft servers. Recommend and introduce new technologies to support business requirements. Lead or participate in technology projects.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
- Provide a high level of technical support for PC / server hardware, Penn Mutual applications software, selected commercial software and the Field and Home office networks.
- Perform research and analysis of new hardware and software systems for Field and Home Office use; provide recommendations to the Field and Home Office for the purchase of new hardware and software systems.
- Develop and maintain hardware / software vendor relationships.
- Participate in the planning and building of improvements, installations and additions to the Field and Home Office networks.
- Prepare documentation of computer systems and perform necessary program and system troubleshooting.
- Provide work direction, mentoring, to less experienced employees on projects, develop necessary work schedules to meet deadlines and provide project estimates as required.
- Provide 3rd level technical support to Penn Mutual’s field and home office associates, which includes responding to issues escalated from the IT Solution Center or Advanced Support areas.
MAJOR QUALIFICATIONS:
- 5 years of IT experience.
- In-depth knowledge and hands-on experience of Microsoft server technologies and the ability to link them to Penn Mutual’s strategy and business requirements.
- Broad technology skills, including mainframe, network, client/server, and Internet.
- Thorough knowledge of personal computer hardware, Compaq servers, LAN / WAN environments, DOS, and Novell.
- Strong oral and written communication skills.
- Excellent telephone skills. Good interpersonal skills with the ability to interface with all levels of corporate personnel.
- Demonstrated skills in testing, documentation, project planning and estimation.
- Demonstrated leadership skills required in providing work direction to lower level personnel.
- Excellent organizational and planning skills; ability to set priorities for self and others; and work without supervision.
- Strong strategic skills, the ability to lead Penn Mutual in the adoption of appropriate new technologies.
- Strong problem analysis, definition and resolution with a proven ability to "firefight" during crises situations.
- Basic insurance and investment business knowledge.
OTHER PERTINENT DATA: Some travel will be required.
Ability to lift and move 5 lbs.
Note the item that I have highlighted. It means "Only able bodied need apply - we're too cheap to buy carts for moving equipment!!" In other words, the physically disabled need not apply.
A network analyst is not a grunt position. A smart IT department would use team lifting and specialized carts to move expensive equipment. A hand truck type cart to lift from floor level to desk height (like seen here or here costs about $5. This would reduce accident potential (for both able bodied and not), and the attendant workers comp costs and equipment replacement costs.
What frosts me is that this is an *insurance* company, that should know better!
I know at least 5 disabled systems and network people, with disabilities ranging from back problems to being in a wheelchair - and many more with "bad backs". This type of job posting is all too common. They probably won't find their able-bodied body builder, and import a young H1b as an indentured worker for half the wage.
The most abusive thing? This ad was posted to a job search support list, that has several disabled people in it.
A person on the list, Jeff (jmonaghan37 @ yahoo.com) wrote:
Linda,
I have to be honest with you, I don't see any problem with this. If
they need someone that can lift and move 5 lbs. then that's their
prerogative. They may not be the "smart" IT department as you
mentioned. I don't think its fair to jump to conclusions until you
know the reason they require the person to lift 5 lbs. Just my
opinion.
What a clueless bozo! My response:
You "don't see any problem with this"?????? Obviously you aren't disabled, and excluded from jobs in your field by stupid "lifting" requirements.
You can hope you never end up in that situation.
Get this straight: disabled or older people are good for more than brain dead telephone or other low end jobs. Ads like this are part and parcel of the systematic discrimination and prejudice faced by people who aren't paragons of youth and vigor. "Their perogative" ends where discrimination begins.
Linda, now totally disgusted