Alana Post

How would you describe your time at National Academy for State ...?

My position, under the Director of Communications, encompasses two realms which could each very well be separate jobs.

The first is providing technical support for NASHP internally, as well as supporting external users. I directly influence all organizational decisions related to technology in any way, and serve as a liaison to independent contractors/vendors. Integration, training, documentation, and ongoing maintenance are a few of the responsibilities involved in this role.

My second (but not secondary!) function involves the design, development, support, and maintenance of NASHP's websites. I dictate every aspect of the organization's web technologies, focusing mainly on content management, online community development, and events (online, i.e. webcasts & podcasts, and offline, i.e. registration for NASHP's conferences & training sessions). Internal/external support and training is a significant aspect of this process.

In both of these realms, I have utilized my venerable communication skills and writing abilities to diverse purposes.

Within the first two months of my work for NASHP, I have redesigned nearly every aspect of their inward- and outward-facing technical systems. I have provided professional solutions to ongoing problems, and identified areas requiring simplification. The end result have been a more empowered office, a better-connected network of remote experts, and savings amounting to several thousand dollars (so far) previously wasted on unnecessary services and vendors whom my expertise has rendered redundant....