THE AUGUST GROUP NEWSLETTER

January 28, 2008

Volume 2, Number 4

Rochester’s Premier Professional Networking Organization

Newsletter Archives

 

In this Issue.

Words to Ponder – Contributed this week by Greg Clyde

A new scientific truth does not triumph by convincing its opponents and making them see the light, but rather because its opponents die, and a new generation grows up that is familiar with it. - Mark Plank

Got a thought to share?  Send it to newsletter@augustrgroup.org and put  "Words to Ponder" in the Subject Line.

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Upcoming Events 

LinkedIn Training morning session – 50 tips, insights, and uses

JumpStart training

LinkedIn Training evening session – 50 tips, insights, and uses

Details of these events can be found using the link to
The August Group Calendar.

Are you willing to assist enhance the content of this section of the newsletter?
We're looking for members to populate the calendar with events of interest.
If so, send an email to newsletter@augustgroup.org.  It gets better with your
input and contributions.

Send calendar additions to calendar@augustgroup.org

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Member Announcements

Have an announcement to share?  Here you can share so many things.  You're a new member and want share your elevator speech.  You never know who might spot it, perhaps a recruiter or business owner looking for someone just like you.

Perhaps you've landed a new position and wish to share the story and gratitude.

Maybe you are coordinating an event for community or charity and seek support.

This is where we'll post it.  This section reflects our members. Make contributions.

It's all about members for members and more here. Send your email to newsletter@augustgroup.org.

  • Timothy Rox - roxt@frontiernet.net, h: 585-388-7945 LinkedIn member

    Role/Job Title - Mortgage Underwriter, Credit Analyst, Product Specialist

    Former Employers - Alliance Mortgage Banking Corp, United Guaranty,
    Chase Manhattan Bank

    Target - Commercial Credit Analyst, Mortgage Underwriter

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Feature Articles

Got a story idea?  Submit  it to newsletter@augustgroup.org.

Have an article to contribute?  We welcome your contributions.  Make a difference. Share a story.  Submit it to newsletter@augustgroup.org.

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JOB POSTINGS

Hidden jobs are welcomed for sharing at jobs@augustgroup.org.  If the job your neighbor, friend or family shared with you is not right for you, it might be perfect for an August Group colleague.  This is a great place for practicing "give to get." With 1600 members, what can happen here when members own the content?

We welcome volunteers to coordinate the job postings on a weekly basis. Employers and members submit jobs that must be readied for inclusion in the newsletter.  A lack of help means fewer jobs get posted in a timely manner.  Why not be the first one to see new postings??!!

NEW Postings this week

Previously posted jobs

See the August Group Newsletter Archives

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News from the Power Networking Groups

The Power Networking  Groups have been the most effective of all programs offered by The August Group.  We hope that the member's will report regularly to the newsletter of their successes and stories shared.   Submit notes to newsletter@augustgroup.org and insert "PNG" in the Subject line.

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Human Resources Professionals - Things Job Seekers Should Know

We've had many HR professionals visit and contribute to The August Group.  Your ongoing contributions are valued and needed by all members.  We know that we'll see great contributions from those who have made their careers about career and organizational development.  If it's not your own writing, perhaps its a link or someone else's, writing that you are sharing and giving credit to the author.  Send your contributions to newsletter@augustgroup.org with HR in the Subject line.

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Small Companies That You Might not Know About

While so many members pursue the major employers in our community, there are numerous small and growing companies that go ignored trying to find talent.  Know of a small company then share it here providing nothing more than a link to its homepage. How easy does it get?  Send your contributions to newsletter@augustgroup.org with Small Company in the Subject line.

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Websites Worth Visiting

Send your contributions to newsletter@augustgroup.org with Website in the Subject line.

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Book Reviews and Good Reads

Have a story, book review or workshop experience to share or something similar to contribute?  Send your contributions to newsletter@augustgroup.org with Good Read in the Subject line.

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FEATURE ARTICLE

Perspective

Contributed by Darryl Walczak  dwalczak@rochester.rr.com

I am a self-admitted “sports geek.” I subscribe to a handful of magazines completely dedicated to sports. I listen to sports talk radio shows in the morning and afternoon and then tune into ESPN when I get home. I have cable television primarily to follow my favorite teams. So it is not uncommon for me to draw parallels between the sporting world and my life.

That happened again on a recent drive into work when I was listening to “Mike & Mike in the Morning.” The two hosts were debating the attitude profession athletes have prior to playing their games. Specifically, the questions was when the worst team in the league is playing the best team in the league, do the players on the worst team actually believe that they will win. One of the hosts, Mike Golic, who played football in the NFL unhesitatingly said “Yes.”

He broke it down into individual plays. As a defensive lineman, he believed that he could beat the offensive lineman on every play. Obviously, he did not really do that, but even after plays where the offensive lineman got the better of him, he started the next play believing that he would be the victor. He also stated that everyone who plays sports has this type of mentality.

We should all try to have that type of mentality. It would help us to achieve the goals we have both personally and professionally. For example, if you are looking for a new position, believe that you are going to nail that interview. If you are currently working, take pride in what you do and believe that you do it better than anyone else. You would be surprised at what this “power of positive thinking” will do for you and the people around you. The attitude is contagious. And even if people around you do not subscribe to this attitude, you will differentiate yourself from everyone else for thinking this way.

Congratulations to those who have landed and Good Luck to those who are searching!
 
 If you have a story to share or feedback, send it to newsletter@augustgroup.org.
 

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St. John Fisher offers FREE Career Counseling

“Volunteer clients” can receive free career counseling from an advanced graduate student in our course in career counseling.  The counselors-in-training are enrolled in St. John Fisher College’s Master’s Degree program in Mental Health Counseling.

 

Who would benefit from career counseling?  This may be right for you if you are:

  • Unsure of future career direction

  • Questioning current job placement

  • Interested in the relationship between personality and career “fit”

  • Seeking methods to enhance your skills for your chosen career

  • Uncertain about how your values fit with your occupation

  • Need information on the job market in your field (salaries, demand, openings)

  • Unaware of how to tap the “hidden job market”

  • Need assistance with resume-writing, cover letters, or interviewing skills

What’s required?

In order to participate as a volunteer client, you must be:

  • Unaware of how to tap the “hidden job market”

  • Need assistance with resume-writing, cover letters, or interviewing skills

  • Able to meet one-on-one with a counselor-in-training for at least 30 minutes between January 14 and February 7 to identify goals

  • Able to complete a 45-minute career assessment by January 30 (can be done at home)

  • Able to attend a workshop on February 7 from 4:00-6:30pm on the St. John Fisher College campus, “Personality Type in Everyday Life” to learn about the relationship between personality and career selection

  • Willing to share relevant information with a graduate student

  • Willing to “meet” either in person, via email, or by phone with your

  • Counselor-in-training to reach your identified career counseling goals between January 21 and April 1

What information about me will be shared?

 

You will have complete control over what information you choose to share with your counselor-in-training.  Our expectation is that you will share whatever information is relevant to your goals for career development.  This might include demographic information, educational background, work experience, and personal preferences.  The approach that is taught in this course encourages counselors to treat each client as a whole person; that is, your career is an important part of your life, but it is only a part – your career best fits you when it fits with the rest of your life (work, family, play, social time).  As this is a learning environment, counselors-in-training will share client cases with the class and instructor.

 

How do I sign up?

 

We can accommodate limited numbers of participants, and thus we will accept clients on a first-come, first-served basis.  If you would like to participate, or if you have more questions, contact the course instructor:

Signe M. Kastberg, Ph.D., NCC, LMHC

Director, Mental Health Counseling Program

St. John Fisher College

3690 East Avenue

Rochester, NY 14618

585-385-7222

skastberg@sjfc.edu
 

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JOB POSTINGS

New job postings this week


Supply Chain Manager

Well established firm with long term success is growing at 20% in international markets. Great career opportunity for an aspiring professional. Work for an empowering boss who welcomes creativity, ambition, and resolve.

DUTIES:

  • Leadership position with day to day engagement in the entire supply
    chain.

  • Direct oversight for planning, purchasing and production control
    functions and personnel.

  • Duties require Manager-Supply Chain to optimize:

    • Costing and purchasing of materials

    • Vendor Management system and integrity

    • Production planning for various internal departments

    • Inventory management- Raw, WIP and Finished Goods

    • Inventory Turns

    • Overall accountability for the ERP system and maintaining the
      integrity of the systems

    • Addition of new components not currently in the integrated ERP
      system to insure successful transfer of new materials and products to
      the Rochester facility without disruption to customers

    • Individual must interface with engineering, quality, production and
      any other departments necessary to insure proper product flow to the
      customer.

SUPERVISION:

The Manager-Supply Chain will receive direction from the General manager and/or Manufacturing Manager of the Rochester, NY facility.

This position has responsibility for supervision to include subordinate buyers, production control, warehouse and shipping personnel.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  1. Plan the purchase of materials based on customer requirements.

  2. Interact with customers where necessary.

  3. Review customer schedules.

  4. Oversee scheduling of work orders and production schedules.

  5. Maintain a supplier base of highest quality.

  6. Involvement with inventory review and preparation.

  7. Ongoing review and improvement of supplier's pricing.

  8. Problem/conflict resolution.

  9. Select suppliers sourcing domestically and overseas. Includes
    Vendor management and metrics.

  10. Interact with other departments/facilities.

  11. Be proactive with continuous improvements.

  12. Recommend cost reductions.

  13. Reduce inventories where appropriate without jeopardizing
    production output.

  14. Maintain ERP system accuracy. Implement any system upgrades

EXPERIENCE:

  • A combination of skills or disciplines is preferred.

  • Minimum five years experience in Purchasing, Inventory Control and Planning.

  • APICS or CPIM certification highly desirable.

  • Experience with MRP systems, computerized production planning required.

  • ERP upgrade/implementation experience a plus.

  • Experience in the purchase of engineer-to-order and OEM components and sourcing of components domestically and abroad.

  • Experience in lean manufacturing environment.

  • Two plus years experience operating within AS9100 systems.

  • Experience with reading and understanding blue prints and/or technical drawings.

  • Minimum Bachelor's degree in business, materials or engineering.

Contact Greg Taylor gtaylor@excelsiorsp.com 585-785-8600

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Four positions with Constellation Brands

 

All completed applications and resumes should be submitted to Cyndy Windhauser (CBI Human Resources) at cyndy.windhauser@cbrands.com.

 


Director, Application Architecture -- Chicago or Canandaigua


Responsible for overall leadership, impact, and direction. Maintain distribution and financial application portfolio. Determine solutions that meet user requirements, based on reliable and cost effective architecture. Configure JDE modules and provide support for all distribution and financial applications.

Responsibilities:

  • Creates a vision of the optimal portfolio of distribution and financial applications that meet the company’s information needs.

  • Champion initiatives that contribute to the implementation of this vision.

  • Conduct Architecture Reviews.

  • Ensure compliance to established development methodologies.

  • Maintain support service levels in accordance with Service Level Agreements.

  • Builds collaborative partnerships with management of business units across North America.

  • Mentors and grows individuals within organization.

Core Competencies:

  • Customer/Quality focus.

  • Building productive working relationships.

  • Teamwork/Collaboration

Qualifications:

  • Bachelors degree in Computer Science, Business or equivalent.

  • Minimum 10 years progressively responsible experience in designing and implementing technology solutions.

  • Knowledge of ERP systems (preferably JDE) & Web Technologies.

  • Familiar with UML methodologies and modeling tools.

  • Understanding of Business Intelligence philosophies and solutions.

  • Proven management and leadership skills.

  • Team player and able to work comfortably with all levels of the organization.

  • Demonstrated ability to handle multiple projects and tight deadlines.

  • Proficient with Word, PowerPoint and Excel.

Travel requirement - 15%

All completed applications and resumes should be submitted to Cyndy Windhauser (CBI Human Resources) at cyndy.windhauser@cbrands.com.

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Application Manager, Distribution

Create and support Distribution application software solutions. Manage and mentor Application Systems Analysts, translate business requirements into system solutions, and ensure compliance to the CBI Application Development Methodology. Provide detailed knowledge and thought leadership within the inventory, procurement, transportation, and sales order management areas. Manage assigned projects ensuring quality, timeliness, efficiency and effectiveness of deliverables while providing regular and accurate status information to appropriate stakeholders.

Responsibilities:

  • Work with application users to appropriately resolve/escalate issues.

  • Translate user business requirements and expectations into deliverables, work plans and project implementation requirements.

  • Design application software solutions that support distribution requirements.

  • Assist users to manage expectations and prioritization of requests both within area of specialization and across teams.

  • Configure J.D. Edwards software applications.

  • Ensure compliance with configuration standards and procedures.

  • Facilitate and participate in business process design workshops.

  • Function as a lead business analyst to gather all requirements form the user community for interfaces, conversions and report designs.

  • Create application scripts for ERP processes.

  • Lead conference room pilot sessions and testing to ensure issues, configuration enhancements needs and process flows are effective and accurate.

  • Participate in integrated testing activities for implementation projects and initiatives.

  • Review user procedures an training materials and conduct end user training classes.

  • Obtain buy-in from CBI personnel on the benefits of CBI’s ERP system.

Core Competencies:

  • Customer/Quality focus.

  • Knowledge and expertise.

  • Teamwork/Collaboration

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in business administration, operations management or information technology.

  • Minimum of four years of progressive experience in packaged software implementation.

  • Progressive experience and a successful track record of having lead and contributed significantly to the design, development, deployment, and continued monitoring of complex and robust projects and large scale implementation initiatives.

  • Significant knowledge of J.D. Edwards’ applications.

  • Proven project manager and senior business analyst with the ability to manage to a specified plan and meet deadlines successfully and translate user requirements to work plans.

  • PC skills, ability to learn and utilize new software and applications.

  • Superior customer service and communication skills, taking initiative, following through and leading by example.

  • Willing and able to travel commercially

All completed applications and resumes should be submitted to Cyndy Windhauser (CBI Human Resources) at cyndy.windhauser@cbrands.com.

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Director, Project Management

Responsible for overall leadership, direction and effective execution of the Project Management Office (PMO). Oversee effective practices for project performance and oversight, establish standard project initiation and delivery methodology, project monitoring, reviews, metrics and governance support.

Responsibilities:

  • Develop and leads the Project Management Office across North American IT (NAIT).

  • Identify organizational needs and managing appropriate staff.

  • Develop a project management strategy and methodology, and establish guidelines for use throughout the IT organization.

  • Build collaborative partnerships with management of business units across North America.

  • Design and implement appropriate relationship management and communication tools to support these relationships.

  • Establish a standard System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) methodology.

  • Incorporate IT into the PMO and train all relevant users on its applicability.

  • Partner with corporate compliance team members to ensure that compliance requirements such as Sarbanes-Oxley, are integrated in the SDLC.

  • Partner with Senior IT Management to effectively integrate the PMO into the North American Governance (Portfolio Management) process.

  • Develop a Project Management Information System that supports the measurement of project scope, schedule, costs, resources, changes, communications and overall quality of the project.

  • Establish tracking metrics for project time management.

  • Implement appropriate controls for project costs against approved budget, reporting variances and develops alternatives to ensure project costs are maintained.

  • Design and implement, in collaboration with technical and non-technical management, the standards for all project communications including status, issue tracking and project risk and escalation.

  • Develop and establish project management best practices for project initiation, definition of requirements, project charter and scope, estimating methodologies, issue tracking and resolution, and application of lessons learned to future projects.

  • Develop and oversee the resource management process for assignment based on assigned priority of all resources against projects; secures properly skilled project resources as needed; functionally manages North American IT project managers.

  • Supervise and develop project management office staff to include planning and assigning work/responsibilities, developing team goals/objectives, and overseeing overall performance.

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in appropriate/relevant field required; Master’s degree preferred.

  • Major consulting firm experience a plus; Fortune 1000 experience preferred.

  • Minimum 10 years experience in Information Technology with at least 5 years experience as a Project Manager.

  • At least 5 years’ staff management/leadership experience; Director level supervision a plus.

  • Previous experience as a Business Analyst.

  • Prior PMO management across a national spectrum desired; experience within a PMO required.

  • Building a pioneering PMO team and structure desired.

  • Ability to apply advanced project management skills and make strategic decisions independently.

  • Strong communication skills required. Must have proven talent at addressing issues and effective presentation skills at both the individual and group level. Executive presentation experience is required.

  • Must have excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work with employees at all levels of an organization.

  • Must show a proven track record of translating technical projects into relevant work plans for both technical and non-technical audiences.

  • Must be a team player and consensus-builder that enjoys being part of a team effort.

  • Advanced knowledge and effective use of MS Office products and relevant project experience with enterprise-class business systems required.

  • Project Management software experience required; NIKU Clarity proficiency a plus.

  • Excellent quantitative and analytical skills.

  • Able to handle confidential and/or sensitive information in a professional manner.

All completed applications and resumes should be submitted to Cyndy Windhauser (CBI Human Resources) at cyndy.windhauser@cbrands.com.

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Systems Administrator

Manage, maintain, troubleshoot, and report on the operation of the Corporation’s server Operating Systems, server hardware, Active Directory, Citrix environment, VMware environment and the Storage Area Network. Evaluate current systems, handle complex troubleshooting tasks, and properly document, train, and deploy agreed upon solutions. Maintenance of management, monitoring, antivirus, performance, and backup applications. Requires detailed knowledge of the Corporation’s current network, applications, and server infrastructure. Support all technical issues inside NAIT and other areas of the Corporation. Work with a highly functioning team.

Responsibilities:

  • Engineer planned and unplanned network activity.

  • Analyze, correct and repair Level 2 and 3 service calls and problems. Work closely with other technical support staff to see all calls through to solution.

  • Document/track all problems that require outside vendor intervention. Monitor all environments, with an emphasis on troubleshooting and maintenance to prevent unplanned outages.

  • Install and customize various network operating systems, customize and repair server technology.

  • Document all designed implementations and provide training as needed.

  • Provide technical leadership for other Technical Support staff members.

  • Monitor comprehensive performance and availability of all hardware and software.

  • Provide security reports as necessary for all aspects of file system access, Active Directory group memberships, and audit compliance.

  • Maintain all local and wide area server hardware and software inventories.

  • Conduct periodic review of all systems with emphasis on maintenance levels.

  • Supervise and maintain tape backups for all local and remote servers, monitor and track tape usage, coordinate remote backup support, recommend changes as necessary

  • Manage the lifecycle of the server environment; identify opportunities for improvement and maintenance/upgrade opportunities

  • Manage retrofit of existing environments to maintain alignment to technology stack.

  • Maintain antivirus, patch distribution, backup, and monitoring applications.

  • Maintain Operating System patch management.

  • Troubleshoot hardware and Operating System performance issues.

  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent plus 4 or more years in depth experience with Microsoft Operating Systems, Active Directory and Intel hardware platforms is a minimum requirement.

  • MCSA Certification or equivalent in current Windows 2000/2003 desktop & server technology.

  • Citrix Certified Administrator or equivalent in current Citrix technologies.

  • Proven technical leadership capabilities.

  • Produce and maintain complex statistical reporting in Excel.

  • Provide complex documentation scoping technical issues and training support.

  • Able to work independently with a high degree of self-motivation and minimal oversight.

  • Able to communicate and collaborate with all levels of the organization.

  • Willing to work on-call as needed and be available by mobile phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holiday.

  • Available to work nights, weekends, and holidays as needed.

  • Able to travel on short notice.

  • Must possess current Microsoft MCSA and Citrix Certified Admin certifications, or equivalent experience.

  • Requires understanding of Microsoft Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, Citrix Presentation Server, HP hardware, and Microsoft Windows Server Operating Systems.

  • HP EVA SAN, Linux/Unix, Right Fax, NetBackup, and VMware experience is a plus.

All completed applications and resumes should be submitted to Cyndy Windhauser (CBI Human Resources) at cyndy.windhauser@cbrands.com.

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SAP Consultants – work from home

Numerous positions Contact Mike Mazzochetti at mike@excelsiorsp.com to learn more about these positions.

 

Tell them you learned about the opportunity through The August Group newsletter.

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Embedded & Systems Engineers – Buffalo

Contact Mike Mazzochetti at mike@excelsiorsp.com to learn more about these positions.


Applications Software Engineer - Buffalo, NY

As a member of the Systems Software Group, you will be responsible for designing and developing GUI software applications for a host adapter line.

Qualifications:

  • BS in Computer Science, Computing Engineering or Electrical Engineering required.

  • 2+ years Java programming experience.

  • C/C++ programming experience is a plus.

  • BS in CE/CS/EE required

  • Salary: $55K to $70K

Contact Mike Mazzochetti at mike@excelsiorsp.com to learn more about these positions.

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Senior Embedded Systems Engineer - Buffalo, NY

As a Senior Engineer in the Embedded Software Group, you will be responsible for the design, development, and engineering support of embedded applications. In this role, you will participate in creating product requirements/specifications, as well as all phases of the design cycle and our product development process.

Qualifications:

  • BS in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering or related field.

  • At least 5 years systems/software engineering experience.

  • Must be familiar with Intel platforms and embedded programming (C/C++).

  • Strong analytical, problem-solving and debugging skills.

  • Ability to work well in team environments.

  • Experience working with networks, network equipment/peripherals, TCP/IP, and other protocols is a plus.

  • BS in CE/CS/EE required

  • Salary: $70K to $80K

Contact Mike Mazzochetti at mike@excelsiorsp.com to learn more about these positions.

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Senior Systems Software Engineer - Buffalo, NY

As a member of the Systems Software Group, you will be responsible for detailed Fibre Channel protocol design, development and maintenance.

Qualifications:

  • BS in Computer or Electrical Engineering or Computer Science required with 10+ years of software/systems design/development experience.

  • Excellent C programming skills.

  • Must have experience working with communication and network protocols.

  • Experience using tools such as bus analyzers and debuggers.

  • BS in CE/CS/EE required.

  • Salary:  $70K to $80K

Contact Mike Mazzochetti at mike@excelsiorsp.com to learn more about these positions.

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Systems Software Engineer - Buffalo, NY

As a member of our Systems Software Group, you will be responsible for the design and development of device drivers for the host adapter product line, for various operating system environments such as: Solaris, VMware, HP/UX, etc.

Qualifications:

  • BS in Computer or Electrical Engineering or Computer Science required
    - 3+ years experience writing device drivers or similar code using C and Assembler.

  • Experience communications protocols is a plus.

  • BS in CE/CS/EE required.

  • Salary: $55K to $70K

Contact Mike Mazzochetti at mike@excelsiorsp.com to learn more about these positions.

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Two part-time positions at Function5

Network Engineer Technician

  • Disassemble, test, reassemble and configure hardware components.

  • Part-time, temporary.

  • Flexible hours 9-5 M-F.

Administrative Assistant

  • Accounting and administrative functions.

  • Part-time, permanent.

  • Flexible hours 9-5 M-F.

Email resume and cover letter to careers@f5technology.com or fax to 585-295-6001.

Function5 Technology Group, Inc.
Attn: Human Resources
600 Mile Crossing Blvd
Suite 1A
Rochester, NY 14624

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Survival jobs

Part Time QC Manager – Webseal

Contact: Donna Mihalik, dmihalik@websealinc.com
15 Oregon Street
Rochester, NY 14605
Phone 585-546-1320
Fax 585-546-5746.

Home Care Workers and Companions – Comfortkeepers

In-home companionship and care services

Growing company

Call Marie, 585-249-0100.

Two locations: Fairport fairport@comfortkeepers.com or Spencerport spencerport@comfortkeepers.com.

Apply online at www.comfortkeepers.com.

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