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Are you currently working? (Updated 08/03/2007)
I am currently employed full-time by the Arizona Department of Transportation as a Tech Writer / Trainer / Troubleshooter for the Support Desk. I also work part-time on my Comp-U-Doc business (http://www.compudoc-az.com), and have recently started a second home-based business, Accurate Processing Technologies, doing Electronic Claims Processing for Doctors' Offices as well as a variety of other services for both Doctors' Offices and Small Businesses. Information on that venture can be found at http://www.accuprotech.com
I did get my private pilot's license (helicopter), and by the time I got that far, I had spent enough hours flying to become certain that it's not what I want to do for a living - an expensive lesson, but a great experience overall.
Are you currently working? (Updated 01/19/2005)
I am currently working on my Pilot license, and have stopped full-time work. I am still running my part-time business (Comp-U-Doc). There's a link at the bottom of my main page if you'd like more information on that..
What is your present salary / hourly pay rate? (Updated 01/19/2005)
My on-call business (Comp-U-Doc) rate is $60.00 per hour, with a 1 hour minimum.
(Not Updated) Why are you considering leaving your present employer?
I am leaving because I have been in my current position for 6.5 years, and have exceeded all of my goals for this position. I originally committed to 5 years. There is no ladder for advancement beyond my current position in IT within this Administration. Management has, in fact, actually raised this position several rungs, but can push it no higher due to the structure of the Department.
(Not Updated) Are you legally eligible to work in the US?
I am legally eligible to work in the US.
(Not Updated) How far are you willing to commute?
For commuting, time is more of a factor than distance. I would like to keep it under 5 hours per week on the road, but compensation could be a factor. I am willing to travel.
Regarding programming, I have a number of high-level languages and/or macro languages under my belt. I have not learned C, Fortran, Cobol, or any of the other low-level languages (other than in overview) simply because I have never had any need. I'm far more interested in getting the computer to do the work than I am into programming for programming's sake. I take particular delight in automating tasks that Users shouldn't have to bother with. Although I've created a few applications in VB5 (Visual Basic), most of what I've done has actually been in VBA (Visual Basic for Applications), with Microsoft Office versions 4.3, 97, 2000, and 2003. I have also written programs in DOS Batch language, TakeCommand, Lotus 123 macros, DBase II's "Dot" language, Paradox's PAL language, TeleMate script, Visual Basic Script, QModem script, SuperBase, Attachmate Extra's version of VBA, and many others.
Regarding proficiencies in using programs, the list is extensive. It begins with Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, Powerpoint, and Outlook. All of these include VBA, as well as linking, embedding, and so on. Other programs include Lotus 123, Quattro Pro, Paradox, DBase II, WordPerfect, WordStar, Works, Attachmate, Attachmate Extra, Ghost, Norton Utilities, Norton AntiVirus, McAffee AntiVirus, FileQuest, DriveImage, Text Cleanup, Pegasus Mail, Recorder, Macro Express, Visual Basic, ACDSee, Windows Media Player, Adobe Acrobat (the actual Acrobat program, not just the Reader), GrBackPro, WinZip (including the Command Line Extensions), and ActiveSync. There are many more. I can create a more extensive list if you'd like. Many of the programs have their own scripting language, which I almost always end up learning. For instance, Macro Express has the ability to create complex macro programs, with logic, looping, and branching, which I've used to automate countless processes.
I've also had to develop a number of "Kludges" or workarounds. I'm no stranger to editing the Registry, writing batches, researching knowledge bases and the Internet to develop methods beyond those normally thought of. I derive a lot of pleasure from getting the computer to do something that which is supposedly "impossible".
My health is generally excellent, as evidenced by the fact that I have accumulated over 230 hours of Sick Leave (this does not include accumulated Annual Leave (vacation time).