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Monday, June 30, 2008

The Opportunity of a Lifetime

posted by on June 30 at 18:55 PM

The Stranger’s award-taking Web Development Department (that would be me) is hiring. Want a job here? Are you good? See the descriptions after the jump.

If you do decide to apply for this position, or forward it to a friend or relation, some advice for you or them:

1. DO NOT send me a portfolio site that’s entirely in Flash. I don’t like Flash, I don’t want Flash, no Flash.
2. DO NOT brag about having created a web form that generates an email when submitted.
3. DO NOT start your cover letter like this:

Dear Recruiters, please accept my:

Letter of Interest.


4. DO NOT explain that you’ve written a script to send your resume to every job posting that meets certain criteria as if this is a good thing. You are a spammer.
5. DO maybe mention the Stranger and make sure I can tell that you’ve actually heard of the paper—maybe even read it! I don’t care if you’re convinced you’re a great fit for “our organization.”

Thems the rules. There may be others.

Design Technologist

The Stranger is looking for a Design Technologist to work in our Web Development department. This is a permanent position that reports to the Director of Web Development.

The Design Technologist is responsible for creating and implementing the overall look and feel of our websites and other web projects. A background in web design is critical along with strong technical skills. The technical requirements for this position focus primarily on front-end programming (XHTML/CSS, Javascript), though experience with more advanced programming will also be beneficial.

Responsibilities Include:
• crafting beautiful and functional web interfaces for TheStranger.com, PortlandMercury.com and other web projects
• implementing such interfaces in XHTML/CSS using web standards, semantic coding practices, and SEO principles
• solving a variety of design and technical challenges quickly
• responding quickly to requests from Editorial and other departments within the paper
• working with the rest of the web team on developing new site features
• keeping up-to-date with emerging standards and developments in web design and development

Skills & Talents:
• strong graphic design skills
• in-depth experience in usability and interface design
• demonstrated high-level hand-coding of XHMTL and CSS
• practical Javascript and other programming experience
• Prototype/Scriptaculous and Ajax experience a plus
• comfort and familiarity with database concepts
• great communication
• ability to manage time and multiple projects with quick turnaround
• proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite
• Mac OS skills desirable

The Stranger offers a competitive salary, a great work environment and excellent benefits. Please email resume and examples of design and coding work to webjob1@thestranger.com. No phone calls or drop-ins, please.


Web Support Specialist

The Stranger is looking for a Web Support Specialist to work in our Web Development department. This is a permanent position that reports to the Director of Web Development.

The Web Support Specialist is responsible for being the front-line on web issues and requests from inside and outside of The Stranger and Portland Mercury. Experience in XHTML and CSS are critical, as well as solid knowledge of web standards and best practices and the ability to implement the same. This is an entry-level position with great potential for growth as our web projects quickly expand.

Responsibilities Include:
• Receiving and evaluating incoming web support requests from inside and outside of the organization.
• Completing and/or delegating support requests.
• Creating web pages and mini-sites for a variety of purposes, including enter-to-win contests, specialized widgets and components, and others.
• Working with the rest of the of the web team on developing new site features.

Skills & Talents:
• demonstrated experience hand-coding XHTML/CSS
• practical Javascript a plus
• solid sense of web design, web standards, and best practices
• great communication
• Mac OS skills desirable

The Stranger offers a competitive salary, a great work environment and excellent benefits. Please email resume to webjob2@thestranger.com. No phone calls or drop-ins, please.

RSS icon Comments

1

You should hire me. I don't actually do web stuff (though I can hand-code a little), but I can out-drink anyone on staff, even Charles. I won't do any work, but your hepness credibility will soar just having me in the elevator every day.

Posted by Fnarf | June 30, 2008 7:28 PM
2

Cred: Welcome

Posted by Joe G | June 30, 2008 7:33 PM
3

I smell a drinking contest.

excellent

check my coding skillz, yo!

Posted by wisepunk | June 30, 2008 7:36 PM
4

What sucks is regular commenters that are horridly hated by limpdick pussies who drop in-and-out--and get more attention than ever (see: Chelsea Alvarez-Bell and her homeless friends who somehow have computers)--wouldn't even be considered.

It would be like Feit applying for the PI all over again. Everybody would laugh and pass the resume around and it would be a total waste of your time.

But it would be a cool job. Good luck to whoever. Please bring us user registration, newcomer. It will only take six hours or so to do, which is funny, because we've been told a billion times that it's coming (since what? November?). Just, please, bring it. We'll love you forever and ever.

Posted by Mr. Poe | June 30, 2008 7:42 PM
5

You should hire me. I'm ridiculously overqualified and I've decided I hate my current job. I'm also more of a lurker, so you won't have to worry about knowing of any awkward personal details like you would about Mr. Poe.

Posted by Andy | June 30, 2008 7:45 PM
6

I hate to say it, but a 'good fit' matters. Even if someone is a good web developer, if you don't understand a word they say and they don't understand a word you say, then life will be hell for you and them.

Posted by la | June 30, 2008 7:47 PM
7

Andy, you should apply.

Posted by Mr. Poe | June 30, 2008 7:47 PM
8

Does the stranger pay in money, or just in promotional alcoholic caffeinated drinks that have been dropped off.

Posted by Andy | June 30, 2008 7:57 PM
9

This may just be ol' cynical me coming from an agency - but it is hard (and expensive) to find someone with BOTH "strong graphic design skills" + "demonstrated experience hand-coding XHTML/CSS"

Awesome designers AND coders are hard to find... and very valuable.

Posted by blippo | June 30, 2008 8:00 PM
10

Stranger employees seem dissatisfied. And I'm not even counting all the negativity re: transit, nightlife, war, theater, readings, Tim Eyman, and youth pastors.

Posted by elenchos | June 30, 2008 8:00 PM
11

Argh, that was supposed to be a question.

I can imagine that the Stranger has all sorts of horrid swag that could be given away, like disposable plastic watches, awful self-published books, and horrid beverages.

Posted by Andy | June 30, 2008 8:00 PM
12

They pay with money. Not a lot, but Slog rights? Dude, that's worth shaving $10k off your salary. Maybe more.

Posted by Mr. Poe | June 30, 2008 8:00 PM
13

blippo, I'd have to agree, except that I think the "graphic design" standards are fairly low here. It's not like this position requires someone to be able to tell Helvetica from Akzidenz Grotesk at 20 yards, just, you know, make pretty pictures in Illustrator.

elenchos, it's probably still more satisfying than a job in telecom.

Maybe I'd consider the job if they promised access to Dan's private stash of Mr. Poe photos.

Posted by Andy | June 30, 2008 8:10 PM
14

Telecom jobs are awesome.

Posted by Mr. Poe | June 30, 2008 8:13 PM
15

My job in telecom has gotten ridiculously boring. I tried to spice it up with some Ruby on Rails, but no amount of spice can liven up plain white bread.

Posted by Andy | June 30, 2008 8:17 PM
16

But telecoms get to spy on simply everybody and get retroactive immunity for it. How is that not fun?

Posted by elenchos | June 30, 2008 8:21 PM
17

Sorry, I'm overqualified.

Posted by Gabe | June 30, 2008 8:30 PM
18

elenchos, the problem with being able to spy on everyone is that 99% of our customers are really boring. I think one of them may have been a COINTELPRO target in the 60s, but today radical communism just isn't as sexy as it once was.

Posted by Andy | June 30, 2008 8:30 PM
19

@16

Totally. You can see what Sales guys are doing on company dollar (gambing, ebay, google cache porn--you'd be amazed at the searches these guys do "business dress asian conference fuck penetration cum farter"), admin assistants (lolcats, aol im, msn im, postsecret).

Posted by weeeeeeeeeeee! | June 30, 2008 8:34 PM
20

I love the job!

When do I start?

Posted by ecce homo | June 30, 2008 8:48 PM
21

Yu should hire me because I'll take the staff out to dinner every night and pay for all of it.

And I'll figure out some way to make Teatro Zinzanni do an act featuring Mistress Matisse and Mr. Poe.

I'm serious.

Oh, I can barely turn on my Mac, so not sure if I can help on the IT front, but I can toss off bon mots like Eve Arden so the office will appreciate my presence.

Posted by Jubilation T. Cornball | June 30, 2008 9:05 PM
22

Man, I could so move out of my mother's basement at $25K a year with this gig!
And I have talents.
I've been told I know how to read.
I know how to turn on a computer.
And I've seen paper copies of the Stranger blowin' around town
Ain't that enuf?
When do I start?
--William Gates VII

Posted by William Gates VII | June 30, 2008 9:41 PM
23

I know a certain SLOG regular who hates their current IT job, and may have quit already. I wonder if they're thinking about applying...

Posted by Big Sven | June 30, 2008 10:02 PM
24

Application sent. If I get this job, I'll have Mr. Poe to thank. Let the Rize malt liquor energy drinks start rolling in!

Posted by Andy | June 30, 2008 11:09 PM
25

hey, I'm proud as hell of my web form that submits an email!

/not a web developer

Posted by acetone | July 1, 2008 9:17 AM
26

In my experience, claiming to pay a competitive salary means nothing to me. Got numbers?

Posted by w7ngman | July 1, 2008 9:41 AM
27

Wait, where's the "If you think web development is a great way to get head" line? I thought all Stranger jobs came with the potential for getting head? Or is it just Brendan's?

Posted by PopTart | July 1, 2008 9:46 AM
28

I know approximately diddly about xhtml and css, but I'm technically inclined and I learn fast!

Posted by lostboy | July 1, 2008 10:00 AM
29

Hey, I even have a good book on using Illustrator.

Posted by lostboy | July 1, 2008 10:02 AM
30

Awesome. I think I might apply; I'd be a perfect fit. Now I just need to update my resume and decide if this 'competitive salary' is worth it..

Posted by N | July 1, 2008 10:09 AM
31

YES! That's my third Job search contact for the week! Hello, unemployment check!

Thanks, Stranger!

Posted by gillsans | July 1, 2008 3:05 PM
32

Congrats on eschewing the Evil That Is Flash. And @9 yes "strong graphics" and "hand-coding skills" are essentially mutually exclusive. I WISH I could come up with decent graphics, but I know better...

Posted by MarkyMark | July 1, 2008 3:13 PM

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