Happy New Year!

And welcome to 2012! 2011 proved to be an interesting year, but in 20/20 hindsight what year doesn't?

We have several opportunities open already as well as a system change in how we accept applications from candidates. First the current openings:

• SIU Investigations Assistant. This position provides assistance to our Investigators as they investigate allegations of fraud and is responsible for conducting records research and obtaining documentation from courts, law enforcement agencies, and state and local entities. This position also obtains driving records, registrations, photo identifications, and driver's license applications, and conducts background investigations. The successful candidate must be assertive, thorough, and diligent in conducting the research necessary to obtain the required information. Two years in worker’s compensation insurance, investigations, or paralegal/legal/records research experience is preferred along with strong PC/software skills. This is an ideal entry level opportunity for recent graduates in Criminology. Travel within the state via personal vehicle is required so candidates must possess a valid driver’s license and vehicle insurance.
• Business Services Representative. Our BSR'smust be exceptionally customer-oriented as they provide administrative support to underwriters, claims adjusters, nurses, other team members while interacting with Pinnacol customers via the phone. This position often leads to promotional opportunities within our company. A High School diploma or GED is required, and candidates with some college or a college degree are also encouraged to apply. The position requires strong PC/software skills, math aptitude, excellent communication and customer service skills and be able to type 35 wpm.
• Software Quality Analyst. We are looking for an experienced Software Quality Analyst to test business intelligence software applications and other systems using defined quality control and quality assurance methodologies to ensure a high level of software quality. This position is part of our Decision Support team and will measure quality and identify defects, using a variety of testing techniques in accordance with pre-developed test plans. Documents and logs all defects using Pinnacol’s systems for quality assurance, work management, and project management and performs risk analysis for assigned projects and develops test cases, including the selection of testing techniques, to mitigate risks. The position requires Bachelors Degree in computer science, information technology, or related field, or equivalent experience on a year-for-year basis along with 3+ years in testing and QA. Work with SQL and a solid understanding of relational database concepts is also needed and experience in automated testing is a plus.
• Business Intelligence Programmer. This position develops, maintains, and assists in the design of our business intelligence systems including, but not limited to, ETL scripts, html and java interfaces in Microstrategy and our mobile device applications. Position codes, maintains and assists in the design of data mart/warehouse tables, queries and metadata, tunes data mart/warehouse queries and other programs as required, and works with our Application Services and Data & Network Services teams to create and maintain interfaces between data marts/warehouse, information tools and production systems. Candidates must be able to establish and maintain strong relations with Decision Support Services staff and internal customers. Position plays support role in DSS-related portions of IS Application Development projects, company-wide strategic initiatives, and business-focused initiatives. Candidates should possess expertise in, and the ability to mentor, SQL, PL/SQL and SQL*Plus, as well as have expertise in ETL practices, html and Java. Also required is a high proficiency in advanced SQL tuning, table creation, indexing and links along with proficiency in data warehouse theory and applications, and star schema (Kimball Model). Bachelor's Degree or equivalent work experience; computer science degree/MIS, business/economics or statistics preferred. Experience with Oracle and/or other relational database management systems, the use of database query tools using SQL, working with data warehouse design, 3+ years related experience in Programming is required.

That's quite a mix of opportunities, from investigations, to business team support, to business intelligence and all in the first week of the year!  Something else that happened this first week of 2012 is that we switched our Candidate Application system. The new system will streamline our getting candidate information in front of hiring managers for their review which is a good thing for all concerned! It will also streamline the process for candidates by allowing all applicants to complete an actual application that will now be stored and can be edited as you apply for different positions with our company.

One important note: we are asking candidates who have applied in recent months by completing an application in our old system and are interested in being considered for our current openings to please complete an application in the new system. If you have feedback on the new system from a candidate's perspective I'd love to hear it. Let me know your thoughts at david.mabry@pinnacol.com. As always, you access to our job openings and the application though our company website at www.pinnacol.com/careers.

So, we are off to a busy start. Here is wishing everyone a bright and successful new year!