MetaChat - Decoding job listings:

MetaChat is an informal place for MeFites to touch base and post, discuss and chatter about topics that may not belong on MetaFilter. Questions? Check the FAQ. Please note: This is important.

20 July 2006

Decoding job listings: What does "administrative analysis" mean? Or do? Or require? →[More:]It's a listing for a writing position in a development office, requiring "BA/BS with a major in a related field and four years of experience in administrative analysis or operations research, or an equivalent combination of education and experience," and I... have no idea what that means.

From the rest of the listing it looks like something I could do, and would be interested in, but that's throwing me off a bit. Ideas?

post by: occhiblu at: 18:18 | 9 comments

Sounds to me like systems analysis -- making sure things are running efficiently.

In other words, firing people if you have to.

posted by mudpuppie 20 July | 18:25

It's a non-specialist position in public administration, including government, education, and some NGOs. You look at numbers and tell people what they mean, and you know all the stuff that the agency does and interacts with, and a bit about management theory.

Also, it might be Chandler's job.

posted by stilicho 20 July | 18:27

This is what the Office of Personnel Management looks for, but I'm not sure if any of that is tranferrable to a writing position in a development office.

Good luck!

posted by psho 20 July | 18:29

Not for a writing position. Sounds more like being able to understand (and write) technical documents to explain company processes, understanding how companies work.

I'm guessing.

posted by urbanwhaleshark 20 July | 18:30

This is the listing. The intro bit:

Senior Donor Relations Writer

As part of the Development Communications unit in the Office of University Development and Alumni Relations, the Senior Donor Relations Writer will report to major donors on the programs supported by their gifts; serve as the author and editor of correspondence required to thank major donors for their gifts to UCSF; and solicit major prospects for new gifts to the University. Working closely with development officers and faculty, incumbent will research, draft, and prepare gift acknowledgment letters, narrative stewardship reports, and occasional grant proposals for high-profile donors and prospects.

And it's in the "Writing & Editing" job category.

I'm so confused. It sounds like a straightforward writing job, except that... they want someone who can run numbers, too?

posted by occhiblu 20 July | 18:32

It's this bit that confuses me:

and solicit major prospects for new gifts to the University

That sounds like a Project Management role.

posted by urbanwhaleshark 20 July | 18:42

I assumed that meant writing "please give us money" letters and brochures.

posted by occhiblu 20 July | 18:48

serve as the author and editor of correspondence required to thank major donors for their gifts to

I.e., professional knob-slobber and ass-kisser

posted by orthogonality 20 July | 18:55

Yes, well, welcome to the working world.

posted by occhiblu 20 July | 19:25

← Radio replay from the other night || So, I Heard Some Stuff, But What Do You Know? →

HOME || REGISTER || LOGIN