The ideal candidate will be a well-rounded, seasoned, experienced GNU/Linux systems administrator and programmer. (S)he will be intimately familiar with the Free Software community and how it works, and will be more interested in making a substantial contribution to software freedom than obtaining a high salary. Finally, the ideal candidate will have a varied background where (s)he has carried out all kinds of common systems administration and custom programming/scripting tasks.

This is an opportunity to work for the organization that started the GNU project, authored the GPL, and launched the Free Software Movement. The position includes frequent contact with many of the core developers of various GNU software packages.

The job must be worked on-site at FSF's downtown Boston offices. Both a phone interview and an in-person, on-site interview will be required. Relocation expenses are negotiable.

This job is a union position. The salary is fixed at $42,375/year and that is non-negotiable. All union positions receive annual COLAs, based on the CPI for "U.S. City Average". Other benefits include the following:

• full family health coverage through Blue Cross/Blue Shield's HMO Blue program,
• four weeks of paid vacation annually,
• seventeen paid holidays annually,
• public transit commuting cost reimbursement,
• 403(b) program through TIAA-CREF,
• somewhat flexible work hours,
• an IBM Thinkpad laptop, running only Free Software, for the employee's use for the duration of his/her employment,
• mobile telephone services from T-Mobile for work and (reasonable) personal use.

• Install and maintain GNU/Linux on servers, desktops, and laptops.
• Support FSF's staff in operation of GNU/Linux systems. Some direct user support required.
• Support users of the GNU Project in use of FSF-owned systems.
• Maintain and improve configurations of server (mail, DNS, FTP, Apache, anti-spam) and desktop (e.g.: Emacs, Mozilla, Evolution, OpenOffice.org) software.
• Monitor and improve system security and network infrastructure.
• Recommend changes to system infrastructure, such as new equipment purchases.
• Interface with other members of the free software community to help support the needs of the GNU Project.
• Coordinate work of volunteer systems administrators.

• Design and write new software as needed for internal use at FSF.
• Improve and maintain existing custom software:
• On-line membership website (Python/MySQL/Plone)
• Free Software Directory (Perl/Python/MySQL)
• Savannah.gnu.org (PHP/Perl)
• As needed, fix bugs in and write improvements for existing external software that is used at the FSF and Project GNU (e.g.: Exim, Mailman, Request Tracker, Bogofilter.)

• 5+ years experience as GNU/Linux (or other Unix-like) systems administrator.
• 3+ years experience with at least two programming languages.
• 2+ years experience with Debian GNU/Linux (mixed experience with Debian alongside other distributions is also acceptable).
• 1+ years experience with SQL (preferably MySQL or PostgreSQL).
• undergraduate college degree, or in lieu of degree, substantially more experience that that listed above.

• Expert knowledge of systems administration for GNU/Linux.
• In-depth understanding key system components such as MTAs, Apache, BIND, FTP, NTP, DHCP, and Software RAID.
• Ability to read and write Python and Perl, and high proficiency (expert preferred) at at least one of the two languages.
• Thorough knowledge of network and system security, especially as related to kernel named Linux and common Internet services.
• Knowledge of network routing and related services in GNU/Linux, such as iptables and stateful firewalls.
• Ability to design SQL databases.
• Ability to spec, purchase, assemble, and debug components for custom-build server systems.

• Willingness to learn and understand how political and philosophical positions of an organization impact computing requirements.
• Ability to work as part of a team and to handle and coordinate contributions from a volunteer core.
• Open-minded and tolerant of others.

This position works in concert as an equal to another full-time, on-site systems administrator. Both positions report directly to the Executive Director.

Resumes and cover letters must be submitted via email to <sysadmin-apply@fsf.org>. The email must contain the subject line, "Systems Administration Position". Resumes should be attached via MIME in ASCII text or PDF. Cover letters must be in ASCII directly in the body of the email message. Resumes not sent via email or email submissions that do not follow these instructions will be ignored.

Resumes will be accepted until the right candidate is found. Serious applicants are, however, encouraged to submit their resume on or before Tuesday 30 November 2004. We expect to hire immediately upon finding the right candidate.

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Copyright © 2004 Free Software Foundation, Inc., 51 Franklin St, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110, USA

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