Retirement is Bad?

Recently, I wrote about my future plans regarding retirement. Today, I read Retirement.

Old Obsession

There was a time in my life when I was unhappy at "work" and to remedy that feeling of unhappiness, I would scour sites like Dice.com to seek out other jobs. I happened to stumble upon a site with a link to Dice.com so for a few moments, I briefly was taken back to the old way I used to think about how if I wanted to change whatever issue(s) I had at whatever employer I was working at, all I had to do was change the primary variable - the name of the company on my paychecks. The sad reality is changing the name on my paycheck was not always a timely or fruitful change. Sometimes, yes, it would magically dispense with those issues, making them disappear. However, new challenges always replaced the previous challenges. 

However, I am writing this post this AM to proclaim that one realized reality of really enjoying my work and not having challenges with my employer is that I don't really look at Dice.com or other job sites anymore. It is not a secret that I plan to retire from my current employer on 3-28-2036. I will turn 66 on 12-4-2035 and I want to work another 115 days (3 months, 3 weeks, 3 days) until Friday, 3-28-2036, which is my 20 year anniversary. 

One recent thought I had about this is that, if the current practice of our department meetings taking place on the 2nd Tuesday of the month, I would actually need to work until Tuesday, April 8, 2036 - 126 days (4 months, 4 days) so 11 days past my 20 year anniversary to receive recognition at the staff meeting.

Nope

[(24.01 x 8.5) x (5)] x 52 = 53062.10 / year is not enough to sway me to leave where I am very VERY happy!

Retirement Update: 16 years, 9 months, 4 weeks (6146 days!) 3/28/2036!

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Communications Specialist

Under general supervision, this professional administrative position assists with writing, coordinating, researching and implementing communication programs by using a variety of communication tools to deliver informative messages to both internal and external audiences. Works with departmental staff, community partners, professional organizations and the general public to develop communication strategies and improve public and media access to relevant information. Applies health communication theories and best practices to communication strategies in order to achieve positive health outcomes.

Performs functions to achieve the agency’s mission in areas of essential public health services and demonstrates foundational skills in the Core Competencies for Public Health Professionals, especially in the communication, cultural competency, and community dimensions of practice domains. Knows the County’s Customer-Centered Culture principles, the County’s Mission, Strategic Plan and Core Values and demonstrates a commitment to customer satisfaction for all customers on a regular basis. Assists with identifying and promoting departmental achievements, innovations, programs, services and issues relevant to the general public.

Assists with the creation, development, production and distribution of communication objectives and products for the county or department across multiple channels using traditional, online and social media platforms. Communication tools may include, but are not limited to, websites, news releases, media advisories, video production, e-newsletters, brochures, flyers, speeches, presentations and feature articles. Assists in the coordination of branding and marketing efforts. Maintains professional media relations and monitors media coverage of pertinent topics. Designs graphics for electronic and/or print communication. Maintains and updates content on the department’s website and/or social media sites. Operates audio visual recording equipment for meetings or other events and uploads the videos to the department website. Assists in the coordination and/or production of the department’s graphic, video and photographic needs. Assists in the production of designated special events, including set up and take down. Serves as a Public Information Officer (PIO) for Linn County, including during disasters, emergencies and drills.
Acts as a media advisor to the department on public information and media issues. Reviews and updates communication policies and procedures in alignment with best practices and standards. Develops communication strategies and asocial communication objectives. Assists in the creation of promotional campaigns for public health services, grants and important health issues. Works with staff to prepare grant proposals to support and enhance agency needs. Develops the annual department communication plan and assists in the development of the associated budget. Assists in the preparation of reports on activities, program procedures and epidemiological study results. Supports the development of year end reports. Performs all other related duties as assigned. Knows the products they personally produce and the customers of each product. Listens to the “Voice of the Customer” and closes gaps between customer expectations and experience whenever possible.

QUALIFICATIONS:   
Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, public relations, marketing, health promotion, health education or a closely related field. Specialized training, minor or certification in Health Communications or Social Marketing preferred. Minimum of two (2) years of experience in public health or health communication field. Previous experience in translation and dissemination of scientific information to audiences in a variety of formats preferred. Excellent oral and written communication skills, including excellent proofreading and editing skills. Ability to follow both verbal and written instructions. Ability to effectively interact with a broad range of people to effectively accomplish assigned tasks or projects and develop and maintain professional relationships. Understanding of various communication methods and techniques. Exercises good judgment. Must have strong attention to detail and follow-through. Ability to handle multiple tasks, changing priorities and work under deadlines. Ability to manage time efficiently, prioritize tasks and self-direct work. Ability to think creatively. Knowledge of website content management and social media platforms. Must support and help advance the department’s vision, mission and values. Knowledge and experience with designing graphics for web and/or print by using a product such as Adobe InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop. Proficient in Microsoft Office suite. Ability to speak in public. Knowledge of and experience in writing grants. General knowledge of or the ability to quickly learn current and emerging public health issues and best practices for intervention. Ability to read, analyze and interpret common scientific and technical journals. Knowledge of patient privacy and confidentiality, public health and public health preparedness-related issues and skills in preparing and disseminating health information. Must successfully complete basic Microsoft Word and Excel tests administered by the Human Resources Department. You will be contacted after the application deadline to schedule a time for testing. Valid State of Iowa driver’s license required or must have the ability to procure transportation to off-site meetings and trainings. Must pass a County physical examination which includes a drug test after offer of employment. Regular work attendance required. Occasional evening and weekend hours may be required.

Application Instructions:

SHIFT: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday - Friday 

SALARY: $24.01/hour

DEADLINE: Wednesday, May 15, 2019 at 5:00 p.m.

APPLY AT: www.linncounty.org/jobs (Current Openings)

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Doubt I'll See ANY of these Places... but it's a Great List!

Real Life Star Wars Places to Visit prior to My Death

Nope

This was posted Thursday, December 13, 2018. It's an interesting opportunity, but not one I am going to pursue. I do enjoy the fact that GoDaddy created the word "ideation" and were so confident in their jargon that it is used in their ad to better explain the qualifications for their position:

1. The ideal candidate has a track record of successful email ideation, collaboration, and content execution, along with the ability to employ the perfect tone for audiences that range from techie to newbie.
2. Actively participate in the ideation phase of brainstorming, ensuring the best ideas bubble up

To be clear, I am NOT in the job market. I proudly work in the HCIS department at the U of I and have done so for 1010 days (2 years, 9 months, 5 days). My goal is to work another 6295 days (17 years, 2 months, 3 weeks, 5 days), and retire when I achieve 20 years of service at the U of I. On that day, I will be alive 24219 days (66 years, 3 months, 3 weeks, 1 day). It's premature to fantasize about retirement, but it is in the back of my mind.

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Email Copywriting Manager
GoDaddy
Hiawatha, IA
About GoDaddy

GoDaddy powers the world's largest cloud platform dedicated to small, independent ventures. With nearly 18 million customers worldwide and over 77 million domain names under management, GoDaddy is the place people come to name their idea, build a professional website, attract customers and manage their work. Our mission is to give our customers the tools, insights and the people to transform their ideas and personal initiative into success. To learn more about the company visit www.GoDaddy.com.

GoDaddy is searching for an experienced, talented email copywriting manager who excels at both writing and managing the writing of compelling, on-brand email copy that inspires our 17 million customers to turn their personal initiative into success, however they measure it. This is a working manager role, responsible for both team and individual output. The job lives in the brand org and reports to the Brand Writing Director.

The ideal candidate has a track record of successful email ideation, collaboration, and content execution, along with the ability to employ the perfect tone for audiences that range from techie to newbie. You’ll also have experience successfully managing and developing a team of writers. You must be comfortable setting, articulating, and driving email creative direction, and the end result should satisfy both brand and business requirements. Collaboration with both fellow brand creatives (designers, especially) and outside-the-team stakeholders is key, as is sharing work with your fellow writers. Experience working in cross-discipline (creative, marketing, product, operations) pods is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Write and edit on-brand copy for emails that speak to our customers and get them excited to take the next step in their journey with us
• Provide insightful email copywriting feedback that crystalizes and clarifies our writing philosophy and approach
• Write in our brand voice (human, friendly, clear) to create moments of clarity and delight and to inspire action
• Pick the perfect brand personality for a particular communication and execute it with aplomb
• Interpret creative briefs, raise question when needed, and distill the information into top-notch writing
• Represent and articulate the goals of the email creative team with brand, marketing and operations partners
• Contribute to and help shape our ever-evolving Brand Writing Styleguide
• Collaborate with designers to ensure content and visuals work in perfect harmony to communicate our message
• Collaborate with product managers, product marketing managers, and operations folks to ensure emails go out on time and on brand and fulfill both business and brand objectives
• Look at email from a strategic perspective; understand how it fits into and supports the larger customer journey
• Report relevant campaign results and messaging test findings to the larger email team to drive top-performing creative
• Guide the shape and direction of email creative in partnership with the UX Design manager
• Prioritize multiple projects and manage competing deadlines
• Distill oftentimes complex and technical concepts into concise, clear messaging that even the technology resistant among us understand
• Collaborate and build relationships; seek out opportunities to connect across the company and look for how to combine, align, and amplify efforts
• Share work across pods and articulate creative approach taken
• Share work with fellow brand creatives and other company writers, take critique in stride, and provide relevant feedback on others’ work
• Actively participate in the ideation phase of brainstorming, ensuring the best ideas bubble up
• Be comfortable having your writing subjected to testing and incorporating results into future efforts
• Maintain and refresh current best practices and methodologies and effectively communicate industry trends and techniques
• Write miscellaneous other copy – internal, recruiting, etc. – as needed

Qualifications

• 10+ years’ writing experience, including email writing that inspires action and achieves business objectives
• Experience managing writers and inspiring them to produce their best work – writing that satisfies both business and creative goals
• Excellent creativity in conceptualizing unique and memorable emails that strengthen our brand and advance our mission of helping people all over the world make their own way
• Excellent communication skills that win friends and influence people
• Ability to influence internal stakeholders by successfully articulating the brand creative vision and direction for particular emails and campaigns
• Ability to link creative to brand and product objectives
• Ability to consistently write in our brand voice (human, friendly, clear) while utilizing the right tone for the job
• Ability to mentor writers and assist in their career development
• Passion for creating superior customer experiences, no matter your title

GoDaddy is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We will not discriminate against any applicant or employee on the basis of age, race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, medical condition, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status or civil partnership/union status, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, childbirth, genetic information, military and veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by applicable federal, state or local law. GoDaddy will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with local and federal requirements.

If you need assistance completing an application for a position with us, please reach out to our Recruiting Team at Recruiting@godaddy.com


To submit your application to this position, please click Apply .
GoDaddy - 18 days ago

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