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Updated: November 6, 2001
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NewsletterUpdated: November 6, 2001 |
| October '01 | Volume 36 Number 5 |
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http://www.erols.com/hfespoc |
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I recently attended the HFES annual meeting in an effort to recruit candidates for my employer, the FAA. One of the individuals who scheduled time was not interested in employment, but was interested in knowing how to "jump on the human factors security bandwagon." The individual was convinced that there is a ton of money that will be available for aviation security work and wanted to get her share of the pie, I suppose. I wished her the best and spent my time interviewing others who had an interest in long-term relationships with us.
There is a good bit of attention focused on security in aviation these days for very good reasons, and I hope that the resources are being directed in a purposeful way that will be effective. This all reminds me of the onset of the Gulf War in the last decade. At that time I was supporting the Army Aviation Technical Test Center at Ft. Rucker, AL, and all my acquaintances continually asked about what we were working on that was associated with the war effort. It was difficult to explain that while there were certain tasks that were a direct result of current events, my primary source of satisfaction was that the work that our test teams had done five or ten years before was now paying off. For the most part, the human factors issues we raised were, in fact, legitimate issues. The systems we said would be effective, really were. In the cases where we predicted problems, they often arose. The fixes we identified years before, worked. We certainly were able to participate in the identification of human factors band-aids to problems that arose during that conflict, as well as on other occasions, but that is not the way to do business. If people want to jump on bandwagons, I wish they would look elsewhere. Our discipline needs to be populated by serious dedicated people with a view to the horizon, while making tangible contributions to system effectiveness.
The Plenary session of the HFES meeting had two speakers who gave significant speeches. William Howell presented his view of the HFES and offered the opinion that we are headed in the wrong direction. I disagree. In fact, I disagreed with nearly every point he made. My assessment of the presentation is that he wished things would go back to the way they were more than 20 years ago. He has no use for certification in any form and does not view human factors as a distinct discipline. To use his terms, he views human factors as a broad tent, analogous to Billy Graham’s approach to revivals.
In my 28 years of membership in this Society I have seen some positive changes and watched as we struggled with a number of issues. We have moved toward a general agreement that we are oriented toward system design. While the breadth of issues is great, we turn our efforts toward the design of whatever goes out the door.
The trite phrase I have used for years, that probably has bored people to tears, is that we must pass the "fingerprint test." If the product that goes out the door for use does not have our fingerprints on the design, in a way that we can point to when important people say "what do you do, Dad?" we have failed. We use a body of knowledge and apply procedures that have a direct and measurable impact on lives. If we cannot see ourselves as having the attributes of a "discipline," however you wish to define it, we have a problem.
The funny thing is that the second speaker, Charles Jeffress, had no problem viewing us as a discipline and values our contribution. He reported on the statement made by Eugene Scalia regarding the characterization of ergonomics as "junk science". (See the October 3rd issue of the Washington Post, "Washington in Brief") Mr. Scalia’s remarks were apparently recently withdrawn during Congressional hearings. No thanks to the HFES, there has been some recognition in the stratospheric levels of government that we have a contribution to make. It seemed odd to me that someone so far from our discipline can see us in a light so different from those that are in our midst. I will resist the temptation to quote Pogo.
The other event during the annual meeting worth reporting has to do with the Chapter Presidents’ luncheon. The session meandered a bit, which is to say that nothing got accomplished. The conversation was interesting, however. Barry Beith was present and participated in much of the discussion. He has a year to formulate any mechanisms that he wants in place when he takes office as HFES President. One individual in attendance commented that there is not much in the way of communication from the chapters to the Executive Committee and suggested that there should be a representative on the national EC from the Chapters so that members from a region can have a direct voice on the EC. As you might expect, that did not meet with any great enthusiasm, especially from Barry. I thought it was a good idea, but I can see where things might get messy.
A good bit of conversation centered on the interaction between the national office and the chapters. We once again learned that the national office has no real support to offer the chapters and the function of the chapters is a local issue that is almost totally isolated from HFES. We are not represented in the same way that the Technical Groups are, and very little communication goes on in either direction. The chapter is essentially a mini-HFES. It occurred to me that in the year I have been President of the Potomac Chapter, the only communication I have received from the HFES was the invitation to that lunch. There is little requirement for us to send material to the national office, and they see no need to bother us. Maybe that is good.
Please take the time to look at the calendar of events. Our program chair, Maureen Hunter, has been hard at work getting us some very interesting speakers and some tours that are the envy of other chapters. She has been able to make some good contacts in the area and take advantage of windows of opportunity that may not be available any other time. So get your reservations in to be sure and have a slot for the remaining tour. The recent Joint Strike Fighter simulator tour was a unique opportunity.
Dino Piccione
President
November Chapter Meeting to Feature Hal Hendrick
NOTE: This meeting will be a joint meeting of the HFES Potomac Chapter and the local chapter of the Institute for Industrial Engineering
Meeting Date: Wednesday, November 7, 2001
Speaker: Hal Hendrick (member of Executive Council-at-Large for the national HFES, and author of Macroergonomics - An Introduction to Work System Design).
Topic: Ergonomics Around the World, including a conceptual overview of Macroergonomics, and success stories.
(Hal will have copies of his book available at the meeting for purchase and autographing).
IMPORTANT NOTE: Be sure to have a photo ID (driver's license) with you; an ID is needed for access to Ft. Myer.
January 2002 Chapter Meeting:
Date: January 23, 2002
Speaker: Wai-Tat Fu, doctoral candidate at George Mason University
Topic: Internet research recently conducted at XEROX Palo Alto Research Center.
February 2002 Chapter Meeting:
Date: February 20, 2002
Speaker: R. John Hansman, Dept. of Aeronautics and Astronautics, MIT
Topic: Emerging Human Factors Issues in Aircraft Cockpits, Automobile Cockpits, and Air Traffic Control
March 2002 Chapter Meeting:
Date: March 7, 2002
Speaker: Joe Moyer, Federal Highway Administration (Ft. Belvoir Officers’ Club location that evening)
September Chapter Meeting Featured Heather Crombie, UI Designer, AOL
On September 27, 2001, our Chapter meeting featured a presentation by Heather Crombie on "UI Design for Online Services." Heather talked about the user interface design process at America Online. AOL is one of the companies we like to hear about, in that the work of UI designers is valued and there is management commitment to taking account of user needs and user feedback. Prior to design, user needs are surmised by a combination of methods, including user surveys, examining usage statistics, competitive analyses, focus groups, and user testing of existing applications. During the design and build process, UI design style guides are taken into account and user feedback is gleaned from iterative usability testing. Heather cited various examples of design decisions that were made to enhance usability – e.g., screen layouts to minimize scrolling, providing a universal "way back" as users navigate through a series of screens, and providing for accessibility by screen readers. Particularly impressive was the fact that, on occasion, such user-centered design concerns have outweighed business and marketing concerns in determining the final design that was implemented.
On October 24, 2001 Heather also hosted a tour of the AOL Usability Labs in Sterling, VA for a joint session of the Potomac Chapter and the local chapter of the Usability Professionals’ Association. Small groups were given a tour of the labs and had an opportunity for questions and answers, followed by a design presentation.
Dick Horst
Recent POC Tour of Boeing Joint Strike Fighter Concept Demonstrator
On October 9, 2001, Boeing conducted tours of its Joint Strike Fighter( JSF) concept demo simulator for chapter members at its facilities in Roslyn, VA. About 15 chapter members attended the event, which included two tour groups of the cockpit simulator and an opportunity to see a "flown" mission scenario demonstration. Boeing executive management also made a 45-minute presentation that included a tele-video conference with Boeing’s advanced cockpit experts in Seattle, WA.
The Boeing JSF is a single-seater, multi-mission advanced cockpit combat aircraft that employs an advanced low-observable design, a robust countermeasures suite, and a ruggedized, damage-isolating structure that makes the aircraft difficult to detect, hit and kill. It is touted as the next-generation low signature/low-emission avionics stealth. The cockpit suite employs an advanced integrated avionics system to give the pilot high situational awareness (SA) with fused onboard and offboard information; active and passive multi-spectrum sensors; integrated countermeasures; intra-flight data link; and day/night/adverse weather capability. Reduced vulnerability measures of the aircraft include advanced crew protection technology; avionics protection; engine shielding; active fire suppression; minimal dry bays; and fly-by-wire/high redundancy capabilities.
The Boeing demonstrator is a fixed-based cockpit with a large forward visual display to simulate flight conditions. The cockpit displays are high definition, multi-function 8 x 10 color displays, located on either side of the upfront control panel. There is a single throttle to the left and a sidestick controller to the right. The pilot-vehicle interface includes voice activated commands and a helmet mounted display (HMD) system. Radar and infrared (IR) sensors replace the human eye as the primary means of target acquisition and weapons guidance. Unlike preceding generations of fighter aircraft, the JSF has no head-up display (HUD). The HUD has been replaced with the HMD that provides the pilot with a large instantaneous field of view and a total field of regard limited only by the aircraft’s structure. One of the highlights of Boeing’s cockpit demo was the pilot’s ability to move his helmet in all directions, including looking down and behind him, resulting in electronic display of SA behind and beneath the aircraft that would otherwise be obstructed by the aircraft’s fuselage.
Boeing’s JSF tour and demonstration was many months in the works for the chapter, and turned out to be an exceptionally well-done and well-received event.
Maureen Hunter
Human Systems Integration Symposium
"Knowledge Warfare: Making the Human Part of the System"
Sponsored by:
American Society of Naval Engineers (ASNE)
Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES)
International Conference on Systems Engineering (INCOSE)
Surface Navy Association (SNA) and
Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SNAME)
Supported by:
Assistant Secretary of the Navy (RDA) Chief Engineer
To be held at:
Hyatt Regency, Crystal City, Arlington, VA
November 5-6, 2001
Join us for the Human Systems Integration Symposium 2001! The theme is "Knowledge Warfare: Making the Human Part of the System". Leading scientists/engineers and flag officers will discuss how human systems integration (HSI) -- today's most important trend in engineering-needs to revolutionize the structure, training, budgets, and manning of our naval forces. As technology advances, budgets decrease, and manning and training costs increase, defense organizations must make intelligent changes to their systems, acquisition strategies, and cultures. This first of its kind symposium will address these issues, and their importance and impact on the success of the future Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and other maritime defense organizations.
Although the focus will be on Navy HSI, the Army and Air Force will be represented on both HSI issues and HSI vision panels. The revolution in Navy training, surface warship reduced-manning initiatives, and DD 21 Blue and Gold teams optimized manning issues to get to a 95-person crew will be discussed.
Key speakers include:
SPONSORED BY the American Society of Naval Engineers (ASNE), Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES), International Conference on Systems Engineering (INCOSE), Surface Navy Association (SNA), and Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SNAME), and SUPPORTED BY Assistant Secretary of the Navy (RDA) Chief Engineer
WANT TO REGISTER? OR EXHIBIT?
See www.navalengineers.org or e-mail jtullier@bluewateragency.com
Ben Somberg has agreed to fill the position of Treasurer Elect, which was vacated by Cliff Baker when he moved from the area. Thanks, Ben.
National Cancer Institute Communication Technologies Seminars:
"Designing Usable and Useful Web Sites with Older Adults"
Wednesday, November 7, 2001
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Natcher Building, Balcony A, NIH Campus
For more information or to register, go to http://usability.gov/uss/10_01.html
Webcast:
This seminar will be available for remote viewing from the NIH VideoCast site at <http://videocast.nih.gov>. The seminar is listed in upcoming events at <http://videocast.nih.gov/FutureEvents.asp> and will be listed under "Today's events" on the day of the webcast. Please see the videocast FAQ <http://videocast.nih.gov/faq/> for more information about downloading and installing the latest free version of Real Player software. You will want to download and install the latest free version, called RealPlayer Basic, from <http://www.real.com/player>. Windows, Macintosh, and UNIX versions are all available. If you have a question that is not answered by the videocast FAQ, call CIT's Technical Assistance and Support Center (TASC) at 301-594-6248 or send email to tasc@nih.gov.
Hope to see you there.
Communication Technologies Branch
Office of Communications
National Cancer Institute
November 8, 2001 10:30am - noon
J.W. Marriott Hotel, Washington, DC
http://www.asis.org/Conferences/AM01/
James Hendler and Ben Shneiderman will have a lively debate on the future of the web. Both are professors at the University of Maryland with strong, but differing views, about guiding principles for design of future technologies. This event will be the closing keynote presentation for the American Society for Information Science and Technology's 2001 Annual Meeting.
Hendler describes the semantic web as a means for enhancing human communication. He believes that agents that traverse the web and multiple ontologies that describe information can provide breakthrough technologies for web applications.
Shneiderman emphasizes the social nature of knowledge sharing based on dialog, empathy, responsibility, and trust. He promotes comprehensible and universal interface designs that are consistent, predictable, and controllable.
The ASIST 2002 conference, a week-long event, charges for participation, but those who wish to attend this debate only, can register for free participation by sending email to Trina Harris (tharris@cs.umd.edu), by noon on November 6. A badge for free admission will be provided at the registration desk from 10 am on November 8 at the J. W. Marriott Hotel, 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, DC. Since seating is limited, please register only if you will attend. If you must cancel, please inform us to allow others to attend.
American Society for Information Science and Technology
1320 Fenwick Lane, Suite 510
Silver Spring, MD 20910
FAX: (301) 495-0810
PHONE: (301) 495-0900
http://www.asis.org
Annual Midyear Symposium March 7-8th, 2002
Theme of Symposium:
Contemporary & Emerging Issues in
Human Factors, Engineering and Military Psychology:
Special Applications to the Military and other Federal Agencies
Sponsored by the American Psychological Association’s (APA) Division 21, Applied and Engineering Psychology
and Division 19, Military Psychology, and
the Potomac Chapter, Human Factors & Ergonomics Society
Dates / times:
Feature Exhibits Include:
Submission of topics, 200 word abstracts by January 11th, 2002 to:
Gerald P, Krueger, Ph.D., CPE
Email: JerryKrueg@aol.com or Email: gkrueger@thewexfordgroup.com
Phone: (703) 704-1801 or (703) 768-3421
Presentations, Papers, Posters, Expert Panel Discussions are welcomed on human factors research & applications in the following (but not limited to) areas:
Registration information:
| Advance Registration for symposium | On-Site Registration on March 7th |
| (before February 15th ’02): | |
| Day 1 (March 7th) - $25.00 | Day 1 (March 7th) - $30.00 |
| Day 2 (March 8th) - $30.00 | Day 2 (March 8th) - $50.00 |
| Both Days - $50.00 | Both Days - $75.00 |
Students receive 50% off Advance or On-Site registration fees
| Make checks out to: APA Division 21 | For more information contact: |
| And Mail checks to Richard Kelly at: | |
| Richard T. Kelly, Ph.D. | Gerald P. Krueger [Div. 21]: (703) 704-1801 |
| Pacific Science & Engineering Group, Inc. | Jane M. Arabian [Div. 19]: (703) 697-9271 |
| 6310 Greenwich Drive, Suite #200 | Maureen Hunter [Potomac Chapter, HFES]: |
| San Diego, CA 92122 | (202) 493-3384 |
Symposium Housing: For gov’t employees on travel orders, Ft. Belvoir bachelor officers quarters (BOQ) are available (range $44. to $68.) Other suggested housing likely will be at block rates at Holiday Inn Express, Springfield, VA (current gov’t rate there is $99. + tax.)
The 24th Annual Meeting of the Cognitive Science Society (CogSci2002), will be held August 8 - 10, 2002 (Thursday through Saturday), at George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, USA. (http://www.hfac.gmu.edu/~cogsci/). CogSci2002 is the annual meeting of the premier society for basic and applied cognitive science research. We encourage researchers from across the world to submit their best work and to attend CogSci2002 to hear the latest theories and data from the world's best cognitive science researchers.
Highlights:
This year, Prof. Richard Shiffrin will receive the $100,000 Rumelhart Prize at the conference for his life achievements in quantitative modeling of cognitive phenomena.
Plenary addresses will be given by Prof. Shiffrin (Indiana University); Dr. Stuart Card (Information Sciences and Technologies Laboratory, Xerox PARC), and Prof. David Woods (Cognitive Systems Engineering Laboratory, The Ohio State University). In addition to traditional submissions for Cognitive Science, this year we are experimenting with a new submission category.
Targeted Symposium Topics:
This year we are encouraging submissions based on three topics:
Six-page papers or Publication-Based Submissions on these topics will be packaged together in special Targeted Symposium paper or poster sessions. See website for more details.
Tutorials:
As in prior years, we are encouraging submissions for one-day tutorials to be given the day before CogSci-2002 officially starts; Wednesday August 7th. See: http://acs.ist.psu.edu/cogsci2002/tutorials.html for more information.
Student Volunteers:
We are seeking some support for students from outside of George Mason University to come to CogSci-2002 and work as student volunteers. Interested students should see: http://hfac.gmu.edu/~cogsci/studentvolunteers.html for more information.
Co-Chairs:
Wayne D. Gray & Chris Schunn
cogsci@gmu.edu
http://hfac.gmu.edu/~cogsci/
Human Factors Engineer
Advanced Management Technology Inc.
Arlington, VA
Requirements:
Preferred:
Contact:
| Eric Stringer | 1515 Wilson Blvd | |
| Technical Recruiter | Suite 1100 | |
| Advanced Management Technology Inc. | Arlington, VA 22209 | |
| eric.stringer@amti.com | (703) 841-2262 office | |
| www.amti.com | (703) 841-1443 fax |
Environmental Health & Safety Manager
America Online, Inc
America Online, Inc is seeking applicants for The Environmental Health & Safety Manager. This person will be responsible for the safety and compliance operations for specified AOL offices"
This person will also establish and manage an Ergonomics Program:
For additional information and to apply for this position, please contact:
Internships Opportunities User-Centered Design and Evaluation
U.S. Census Bureau
Suitland, MD
(1 mile outside of Washington, DC on the Green Line)
SUMMER: 10-12 weeks, full-time, June-Aug, 2001.
ACADEMIC YEAR: Sept, 2001-May, 2002; half-time (or more): 640 hours minimum.
Salary: $30,000-$47,600 (full-time, 12 months).
Major benefits: Can include full tuition and book allowance for academic year positions. Outstanding training opportunities available including short courses and ongoing educational seminars. Civil service benefits.
Duties: Train and assist in one or more of the following:
Application Domains: Primarily electronic questionnaires and information web sites.
Qualifications: Must be a U.S. citizen and a full or part-time student in a graduate degree program, preferably in the social or computer sciences.
| Kent Marquis, Ph.D. | or | David Mingay, Ph.D. | |
| 301-457-4719 | 301-457-4971 | ||
| kent.hammond.marquis@census.gov | david.j.mingay@census.gov |
Aerospace Engineer (Human Factors) or Engineering Research Psychologist (Human Factors)
Department of Transportation
Federal Aviation Administration
External Vacancy Announcement
Vacancy Announcement Number: ACE-AIR-01-0403-58622
Close Date: Dec 28,2001
Position: Aerospace Engineer (Human Factors) or Engineering Research Psychologist (Human Factors), FG-861 or 180-13 Salary Range: $62,311 to $81,009
Location: Atlanta,GA
Organization Location: Central Region, Small Airplane Directorate, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, Systems & Flight Test Branch
Duties: The incumbent will provide technical expertise to the Aircraft Certification Office and act as focal point in Human Factors relative to flight guidance, flight management, flight display systems, and research and development. Directly participates in and is responsible for planning, developing, reviewing, and evaluating major certification projects and continuing airworthiness programs that have human factors issues. Works closely with National Resource Specialists (NRS), Standards Staffs of Directorates and Headquarters, ACO engineers and pilots. Facilitates communication between ACOs and Standards Staffs, and NRS's. Serves as the Office expert and consultant in the areas of advanced flight deck design approval including: human factors, flight guidance, flight management, flight display systems, and aircraft maintenance.
NOTE: This Human Factors position will be filled either as an Aerospace Engineer, FG-861-13, or as an Engineering Research Psychologist, FG-180-13. NOTE: Salary shown includes locality pay.
Qualification and Specialized Experience Requirements: All qualifications and experience requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Applicants must meet the qualifications requirements as either an aerospace engineer or engineering research psychologist as shown below:
FOR AEROSPACE ENGINEER: Applicants must have a bachelor's degree in engineering or its equivalent in education, plus one year professional engineering experience which demonstrated they have the skills and working knowledge of human factors issues affecting the design and certification of advanced flight deck designs and flight display systems in transport category aircraft. For the 13 level, at least one year of the specialized experience must have been equivalent in complexity and level of responsibility to work performed at the FG-12 level in the Federal service.
FOR ENGINEERING RESEARCH PSYCHOLOGIST: Applicants must have successfully completed a bachelor's degree with a major in psychology or an equivalent major. In addition, applicants must have completed at least one year of specialized experience which demonstrated that they have the skills and working knowledge of human factors issues affecting the design and certification of advanced flight deck designs and flight display systems in transport category aircraft. For the 13 level, at least one year of specialized experience must have been equivalent in complexity and level of responsibility to work performed at the FG-12 level in the Federal service.
RATING AND RANKING: Should rating be required, all candidates will be rated and ranked against the following knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics (KSAOs).
NOTE: Written KSAO responses are required from all candidates.
KSAO EVALUATION CRITERIA In narrative format, give specific examples of your accomplishments or work experience to show that you have the following Knowledge, Skills, Abilities or Other Characteristics (KSAOs) which are critical for successful performance in this position. Using plain paper please address each KSAO separately.
1. Knowledge of Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) 25 related to Advanced Flight Deck Designs and Flight Display Systems. The incumbent must have a working knowledge of transport aircraft design and certification requirements of advanced flight deck designs and flight display systems. Describe your experience that would indicate knowledge of the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs), policies, and procedures used in design and certification of advanced flight desk designs and flight display systems. Show the kind of experience, training, awards, etc., that would be an indication of your knowledge in this area.
2. Ability to Coordinate with and Provide Direction to Others. The incumbent must have the ability to acquire and dispense information through direction and coordination with people in many different disciplines. The incumbent must have the ability to foster cooperation among project team members. Describe your skills and experience working with others in controversial situations, experience in project management, team member qualifications and the degree of successful completion.
3. Knowledge of Human Factors Issues.
APPLICANTS APPLYING FOR AN ENGINEERING RESEARCH PSYCHOLOGIST POSITION: The incumbent must have the skills and working knowledge of the study of human factors issues affecting the design and certification of advanced flight deck designs and flight display systems in transport category aircraft. Describe your experiences which demonstrate your skill, experience, and level of involvement in the study and application of
human factors issues affecting the design and certification of advanced flight deck designs and flight display systems.
APPLICANTS APPLYING FOR AN AEROSPACE ENGINEER POSITION: The incumbent requires knowledge of the principles of aerospace engineering affecting the design and certification of advanced flight deck design and flight display systems in transport category aircraft. Describe your experiences which demonstrate your skill, experience, and level of involvement in the application of aerospace engineering principles to human factors issues affecting the design and certification of advanced flight deck design and flight display systems.
4. Ability to Communicate Orally and in Writing. The incumbent must have the ability to develop and organize thoughts and information and to present controversial and/or complex material orally. Incumbent will also prepare technical reports, letters, memoranda, directives, etc., in order to correspond with transmit/receive information to, or from applicants, government personnel, as well as the public. Describe the various situations you have encountered which required you to speak effectively and any results that would indicate the measure of your success. Also describe the types of material you have.
HOW TO APPLY: FAA vacancy information and certain application forms are now available on the FAA's World Wide Web site at: http://jobs.faa.gov or by calling our Faxback system at (405)954-0250. What resume must contain is detailed here. The point of contact for information is: Carol Slaughter, 770-703-6040.
Scientific and Technical Advisor for Human Factors
Federal Aviation Administration
Washington, DC
Vacancy Announcement Number: ASW-AC-01-402-58709
The Federal Aviation Administration is seeking applicants for a senior human factors professional in the Fort Worth, Texas area.
Basic requirements include a degree (advanced degree preferred) in human factors, industrial engineering, behavioral science, or ability to build coalitions and communicate; and (6) In-depth knowledge and expertise in designing, implementing, and managing human factors programs. Applicants must be US citizens.
For vacancy information and application forms, please see the FAA’s World Wide Web site at http://jobs.faa.gov or call (202) 267-8012.
Cancer Research Training Award Fellowship
Office of Communications, CommunicationTechnologies Branch,
Bethesda, MD
The National Cancer Institute's Office of Communications, Communication Technologies Branch, has an opening for a Technology Transfer Fellow in Rockville, Maryland. This is a unique training opportunity in the Web Design and Usability Section.
The Fellow will be responsible for the design, iterative testing, and production of a range of cancer Web sites, applications, and emerging technologies that will improve the presentation and communication of cancer information.
Applicants should hold a Master's degree in usability engineering, human factors design, cognitive psychology or a related field. Fellowships are awarded for an initial 2-year period, with potential for renewal up to 5 years. Fellows receive a stipend commensurate with his or her education and experience ($24,000 - $39,000) as well as $5000 for training and travel each year.
To be eligible for consideration, candidates must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and have graduated from an accredited U.S. college or university. Benefits include health insurance, Federal holidays, training and travel. Send resumes to: Marcia Changkit, changkit@mail.nih.gov
Faculty Appointment
Rehabilitation Engineering R&D Lab
National Rehabilitation Hospital
Collaborative and independent research and development on applications of Virtual Reality methods and technologies to rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities. The setting is a rehabilitation engineering R&D lab with clinical goals, a strong interdisciplinary orientation, and active connections with academic departments of biomedical engineering and experimental psychology at the nearby Catholic University of America. The lab is housed in the Rehabilitation Engineering Service at the National Rehabilitation Hospital, a private not-for-profit 130-bed hospital in northwest Washington, DC. Disabilities that are currently the focus of VR research include stroke, autistic spectrum disorder, and cerebral palsy. A faculty appointment and direct involvement with graduate students is likely.
Credentials:
Required: Applicants must have a Ph.D. in a discipline of engineering, computer science or experimental psychology, with strong capabilities in virtual environment development and related programming; demonstrated capability to conceptualize and implement R&D programs independently and to publish results; high level working familiarity with PCs and graphics work stations; particular specialty knowledge in current VR tools and techniques and their application to medical and research problems; excellent written and spoken communication skills; and a professional commitment to applications of engineering to medical challenges, in particular rehabilitation.
Desirable: Experience beyond graduate school; experience with haptics; knowledge of modeling of human oculomotor control and related optics; demonstrated ability to prepare winning research proposals; strong capabilities in analog and digital circuit design; and a demonstrated ability to carry a product design initiative from conceptualization to prototype completion.
Human Performance Investigator
National Transportation Safety Board
Irvine, Texas or Washington, D.C.
The National Transportation Safety Board is looking for qualified individuals to apply for one of two Human Performance Investigator
positions, located in either Irvine, Texas or Washington, D.C. The
positions are open to all candidates with at least a Bachelor's degree in
human factors or psychology, and who have a strong interest in
transportation safety. However, preference will be given to those who
posses a Master's degree or higher.
A Human Performance investigator is required to travel to accident scenes, assemble information consistent with the standards of science, analyze the evidence, and develop conclusions based on analyses of the accident evidence and facts. Further, the investigator may develop and execute independent audits and data gathering activities at other government agencies and in industry to produce human performance related safety recommendations. The investigator generally exchanges information and views with groups involved with the accident, and interprets their practices, procedures and regulations. The investigator deals with the public, the transportation industry, and government officials.
The starting salary range for the positions is between $36,500 and $68,000, depending on academic and professional experience. Its a great oppurtunity for an individual to develop and utilize knowledge and skills in transportation safety. Investigators are often faced with issues as wide-ranging as vehicle design, training, driver distraction, driver fitness, carrier operations, and intelligent transportation systems.
For more information, please visit the NTSB's website (www.ntsb.gov) or click on the following link to access the job announcement (job number WA-TB-1-054) directly: http://www.ntsb.gov/Vacancies/listing.htm. You may also contact Bruce Magladry (magladb@ntsb.gov) or Rafael Marshall (marshar@ntsb.gov) for more information.
User Interface Designer/Web Interaction Specialist
SRA International
Fairfax, Virginia
SRA International has some challenging opportunities for User Interface Designers in its Knowledge Discovery Solutions practice. This practice supports a market and trading analysis system used by NASD Regulation. These positions are located in Fairfax, VA.
Candidates should possess a BS in CS or a related field and at least 5 years of related experience. Position requires:
SRA is a privately held information technology firm that provides systems integration, consulting, and eBusiness and eGovernment services and solutions tailored to government and commercial client needs. We specialize in Internet systems development, systems and software engineering, network integration and management, information security, enterprise systems management, knowledge discovery, and e-mail management systems.
Fortune Magazine recently chose SRA as one of the "100 Best Companies to Work For" and Business Week has named SRA as one of the leading private information technology companies for the second consecutive year. Founded in 1978, SRA serves clients from its headquarters in Fairfax, VA, and across the United States. Our staff of more than 1,900 talented and dedicated people carry out the company's commitment to high-quality work, honesty and service, and customer satisfaction.
Should you be interested in this opportunity, please forward your resume to Judy_Whipple@sra.com
| Judy L. Whipple | Voice: (540) 972-4229 | |
| Sr. Staffing Consultant | Email: Judy_Whipple@sra.com | |
| SRA International | http://www.sra.com/ |
Consultants (Ergonomics Analyst and Usability Analyst positions)
Evans Incorporated
Vienna, VA
Evans Incorporated is a dynamic, woman-owned consulting firm committed to helping our clients improve their organizations by evolving their business processes, the way they use technology, and their work environments. We specialize in Business Process Improvement, Human Centered IT Solutions and Ergonomics Specialty Services. Our clients include Ford Motor Company, General Motors, the International Monetary Fund, Girl Scouts of America and the Social Security Administration.
Description: Entry- and mid-level ergonomics analysts will aid clients in designing and managing their ergonomics programs using innovative e-business solutions. Usability analysts will work with software engineers to design useful and usable web and PC-based systems. Either position may involve related activities that include re-engineering business processes, facilitating user-oriented design sessions, gathering functional and technical requirements for new program management solutions, serving as a user advocate during the software development cycle, and guiding clients through the implementation of new business processes and software applications.
Basic/Minimum Qualifications: Entry-level positions require a Bachelors degree in a related field and demonstrated experience in the fields of industrial ergonomics and safety, HCI/usability or information design. Mid-level positions require a Bachelors degree and 4 years experience or MA/MS degree and 2 years experience. In addition, they must have excellent analytical and oral communication skills, document writing and editing skills, and outstanding interpersonal and leadership skills. Candidates must be able to work comfortably in cross-functional teams and have good negotiation and problem-solving skills. Candidates should have proficiency with the MS Office suite of software.
Desired Qualifications: Experience in one or more of the following areas: usability testing or interface design and the application of user-centered design theory and methods, design session facilitation, project management, instructional design, technical writing, requirements gathering using a variety of techniques, process and data modeling, and database management.
Salary: Commensurate with experience. Outstanding benefits, including medical, dental and vision care, disability insurance, 401(k) and matching contributions.
When Available: Immediately
Employer's URL: http://www.evansincorporated.com/
How to Apply: Send resume and cover letter to:
| Human Resources | tel. 703-281-1445 | |
| Evans Incorporated | fax. 703-281-1472 | |
| 301 Maple Avenue, West | e-mail: sevans@evansincorporated.com | |
| Suite 602 | ||
| Vienna, Va 22180 |
Senior Functional Analyst - Human Factors
Sverdrup Technology, Inc.
Dumfries, VA
The JE/Sverdrup Engineering Group Inc. is one of the world's largest and most diverse providers of professional technical services. With annual revenues exceeding $3.5 billion, we offer full-spectrum support to industrial, commercial, and government clients across multiple markets. Services include scientific and specialty consulting as well as all aspects of engineering and construction, and operations & maintenance.
The JE/Sverdrup Team is seeking qualified candidates interested in immediate employment! We are currently providing the full range of engineering, analytical, technical, and business services to the Marine Corps Systems Command (MARCORSYSCOM) Combat Support and Logistics Equipment (CSLE) Directorate at Dumfries/Quantico, VA. All positions will be subject to a U.S. government security investigation and personnel must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.
Job Requirements:
A BS/BA degree in human factors engineering, industrial engineering, sociology, psychology or similar discipline, plus eight (8) to twelve (12) years of progressive and relevant experience in the field of human factors engineering. This position requires a minimum of eight (8) years experience comprehensively demonstrating an ability to apply human factors engineering practices and procedures in support of DoD procurements. Must have experience in conducting system safety analysis in the development and life cycle of a program. Experience providing expert analysis in converting technical requirements into contractual language is essential. Must be intimately familiar with Mil-Std 1472D and other applicable HFE criteria, i.e., MANPRINT. Government acquisition certifications and acquisition simulation experience is highly desired. Familiarization with modeling and simulation tools, e.g., JACK and Ergo are also desired. Must be familiar with the use of Microsoft Office application
Visit www.sverdrup.com
If you are interested in joining the SverdrupTeam and possess the necessary credentials and experience, email, or fax your resume for confidential consideration to:
Equal Opportunity Employer (M/F/D/V). All positions will be subject to a U.S. Government security investigation and personnel must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.
Post Doctoral Researcher
The University of Maryland, College Park
The University of Maryland is seeking a bright and energetic postdoc to work on research in computational linguistics, information retrieval, and related areas. Our laboratory has several cutting-edge projects that explore a wide range of natural language processing issues. Some of our top current interests include:
We offer a friendly working environment with extensive interaction across academic departments and neighboring institutions.
To apply, please send a resume and a description of your research interests to: Denise Best (denise@cfar.umd.edu ).
UMIACS strongly encourages applications from minorities and women. EOE/AA
Faculty Position in Human-Computer Interaction
Department of Computer Science
The University of Maryland, College Park
The Department of Computer Science is seeking faculty members at all ranks. Truly outstanding candidates in all areas will be considered, but we are especially seeking candidates in the areas of networks, mobile computing, multimedia systems, graphics, Human Computer Interaction, databases, information security, programming languages and software engineering.
Under the University of Maryland Flagship Initiative, candidates with established research programs will be considered for joint appointments between the Department and the Institute for Advanced Computer Studies, The Department of Electrical Engineering, and the Institute for Systems Research.
Candidates who are interested should send curriculum vitae, research summary, and at least four names of references with (3) emphasizing research and (1) emphasizing teaching to:
At the time they apply, candidates must request their references to send written recommendations. Failure to do so will delay the application process. Beginning January 15, 2001 we will begin the review of candidates to be interviewed and therefore encourage your early application. Additional information about academic and research units at Maryland is available on the World Wide Web. Department of Computer Science, http://www.cs.umd.edu/
The University of Maryland is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer.
| Prof. Ben Bederson | Director, Human-Computer Interaction Lab | |
| bederson@cs.umd.edu | Computer Science Department | |
| www.cs.umd.edu/~bederson | 3171 A.V. Williams Building | |
| (301) 405-2764 | University of Maryland | |
| (301) 405-6707 (FAX) | College Park, MD 20742 |
THREE LESSONS
Lessons for life, not taught in the regular curriculum. Usually understood only after life experiences in the workplace.
Lesson Number One
A crow was sitting on a tree, doing nothing all day. A small rabbit saw the crow and asked him, "Can I also sit like you and do nothing all day?" The crow answered: "Sure, why not?" So, the rabbit sat on the ground below the crow, and rested. All of a sudden, a fox appeared, jumped on the rabbit, and ate it.
Management Lesson:
To be sitting and doing nothing, you must be sitting very, very high up.
Lesson Number Two
A turkey was chatting with a bull. " I would love to be able to get to the top of that tree," sighed the turkey, "but I haven't got the energy." "Well, why don't you nibble on some of my droppings?" replied the bull. "They're packed with nutrients." The turkey pecked at a lump of dung and found that it actually gave him enough strength to reach the first branch of the tree. The next day, after eating some more dung, he reached the second branch. Finally after a fourth night, there he was proudly perched at the top of the tree. Soon he was spotted by a farmer, who shot the turkey out of the tree.
Management Lesson:
Bulls--t might get you to the top, but it won't keep you there.
Lesson Number Three
A little bird was flying south for the winter. It was so cold, the bird froze and fell to the ground in a large field. While it was lying there, a cow came by and dropped some dung on it. As the frozen bird lay there in the pile of cow dung, it began to realize how warm it was. The dung was actually thawing him out! He lay there all warm and happy, and soon began to sing for joy. A passing cat heard the bird singing and came to investigate. Following the sound, the cat discovered the bird under the pile of cow dung, and promptly dug him out and ate him!
Management Lesson:
Not everyone who drops s--t on you is your enemy. Not everyone who gets you out of s--t is your friend. And when you're in deep s--t, keep your mouth shut.
It is time to nominate Chapter officers who will hold office in calendar year 2003. We need candidates for the following positions:
The terms for President, Secretary, and Treasurer run for three years -- Year 2002 being elect, 2003 acting, and 2004, past. Thus, they will serve three years on Executive Council. The Director-at-Large term runs from 2002 through 2003, so that person will serve two years on the Executive Council. Please nominate anyone you regard as capable and willing to run. Do not overlook yourself. Self nominations are perfectly acceptable.
Nomination form
HFESPOC
|
President |
______________________________ |
|
Secretary |
______________________________ |
|
Treasurer |
______________________________ |
|
Director-at-large |
______________________________ |
Forms can be either e-mailed to dino.piccione@faa.gov or mailed to
President
Dino Piccione
Federal Aviation Administration
Phone: (202) 366-0128
email: dino.piccione@faa.gov
President-Elect
John Ruffner
DCS Corporation
Phone: (703) 683-8430 x243
Email: jruffner@dcscorp.com
Past President
Doug Griffith
ERIM
Phone: (703) 803-0100, x4120
email: dkgriffith@erols.com
Secretary
Susan Evans
Evans Incorporated
Phone: (703) 281-1445
email: sevans@evansincorporated.com
Secretary-Elect
Colleen Donovan
Federal Aviation Administration
Phone: 202-267-3313
Email: colleen.donovan@faa.gov
Past Secretary
Cliff Baker
(no longer in the DC area)
Treasurer
Kris Knutson
National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Phone: (301) 435-6624
Email: krisknut@msn.com
Treasurer-Elect
Ben Somberg
Resource Consultants Inc.
Phone: (571) 226-5092
Email: bsomberg@resourceconsultants.com
Past Treasurer
John Ruffner
DCS Corporation
Phone: (703) 683-8430 x243
Email: jruffner@dcscorp.com
Directors-at-Large
Jack Laveson
Integrated Systems Research
Phone: (703) 642-3677
email: j.i.laveson@ieee.org
Ron Hoffman
Mitretek Systems
Phone: 703-610-2156
email: rhoffman@mitretek.org
Awards
Tyson Rose
IBM/ISSC
Phone: (301) 803-3378
email:ctrose@vnet.ibm.com
Membership/Directory
Michael Eidelkind
TRW
Phone: 703-575-0782
email: Michael.Eidelkind@trw.com
Newsletter
Dick Horst
UserWorks, Inc.
Phone: (301) 431-0500
email: dhorst@userworks.com
Student Affairs
Vacant
Phone:
email:
Public Affairs/Corporate Membership
Maureen Hunter
SAIC
Phone: (202) 493-3383
email: maureen.l.hunter@saic.com
Program
Maureen Hunter
SAIC
Phone: (202) 493-3383
email: maureen.l.hunter@saic.com
WebMaster
Jack Laveson
Integrated Systems Research
Phone: (703) 642-3677
email: j.l.laveson@ieee.org
Local Arrangements
Don Weitzman
TRW
Phone: (202) 651-2280
email: don.ctr.weitzman@faa.gov
Recent
Meetings:
February, 2001
Dino Piccione and John Ruffner: "Driving with Night Vision Devices: A (Thin) Link to Air Traffic Control"
March, 2001
D. J. Imbs, "MANPRINT"
April, 2001
Debbie Boehm-Davis and Wayne Gray: "Why Milliseconds Matter: Building Models at the 100 msec Level to Explain Human Performance at the 15 min Level"
September, 2001
Heather Crombie: "UI Design for Online Services"
October, 2001
Tour of the Boeing Joint Strike Fighter Cockpit Simulator
Tour of America Online’s Usability Labs
