Staff Employment: March 2012

[latani]

Hey folks, thanks to some recent cuts and inactivity, we've decided to, yet again, hold another round of staff employment. Don't think this will be all ribbons and cake though, since there's a fair bit we require out of the staff we choose to take on. So you must read every last line of this post before you even think of copying down the employment form. I'll have a secret word slapped in somewhere, and if you haven't read this carefully, I'll know.

The first thing you need to know is that you have to be a member of the site for three weeks in order to apply. This is to make sure that people actually grasp our moderating style and have some dedication towards the site. It's ideal that you're active, perhaps coming on every day (not totally necessary, but it earns you brownie points!) barring offline issues.

Once you're green-lighted to take the test, a thread will be made in the Test board located in the Announcements with your name. Read everything over carefully and listen to the advice mods give you, because it will help you do well and pass. Once you've completed the test, you will be promoted to Trainee Mod and given a probationary period to perform actual moderation on threads! If you are able to remain active and post often (not for yourself, of course! Your thread takes a back-burner to moderating), you will be notified of your probation period ending and will be promoted to full-time moderator.

At times, moderating can be quite tedious so your commitment will be vital. If you really want to become a staff member, we would really like to stress activity. If you know you can't make at least one post a day or come on daily, make sure you double-check your priorities before applying, since we need active mods to help with the workload.

However, to help ease things up and reward staff for their efforts, we have a Moderator Rewards Scheme in place. For each thread you moderate, you will earn a mod point and after collecting so many, they may be exchanged for some exclusive prizes. Trainee Mods may claim points as well, so don't be afraid to pipe up! Because the Nargacuga is watching you.

The recruitment process occurs in three phases.

Phase 1
A simple application which does not have to be long or fancy. Simply post beneath and address each of the bullet points. Please do more than a few scant sentences though.

• Why do you want to be a Moderator at ZapdosZulu?
  
  
• Are you an active member of this site and do you have some understanding of the rules and procedures of the site to be able to moderate threads?
  
  
• Have you had any past experience as a staff member on another roleplaying site or have you taken up a role of responsibility in the past?
  
  
• Do you have any additional skills that could be useful in developing the site?
  
  
• If you read this, tell me what the secret word is.
  
  

[ul][li][b]Why do you want to be a Moderator at ZapdosZulu?[/b]

[/li][li][b]Are you an active member of this site and do you have some understanding of the rules and procedures of the site to be able to moderate threads?[/b]

[/li][li][b]Have you had any past experience as a staff member on another roleplaying site or have you taken up a role of responsibility in the past?[/b]

[/li][li][b]Do you have any additional skills that could be useful in developing the site?[/b]

[/li][li][b]If you read this, tell me what the secret word is.[/b]

[/li][/ul]

Phase 2
Involves a simple training/probation period to make sure you are familiar with all the roleplaying rules and most importantly understand how our Battle System works. A staff member will arrange a Test if they accept your application. This test will be a learning phase, so don't worry if you make a mistake. You will be guided through the entire process so just do your best.

Phase 3
Finally, once you have completed your test, there will be a short probation period where you will be given the title of Trainee Moderator and a coloured name. You will be allowed to moderate real threads and will be watched closely by our staff team. If you meet the activity requirements and make a good impression, you will then receive your full Moderator status.

---

Although this is a vigorous recruitment process to ensure that in the future our Moderators are active and possess the vital skills, this should not discourage you in any way from applying. There will be some great opportunities to design some elements of the site. If you have any addition skills, such as graphics, then we'd love to hear from you.

There are numerous benefits other than the rewards scheme. Staff will also receive a free residence/house and will have some inside knowledge about secret events to come. If you have any questions on the topic, feel free to ask one of our Administrators or Global Moderators.

[pikachu464]

I figured I'd apply anyway, even though I haven't been very active lately. I've been busy with trying to move to Florida and been very stressed about the move, so much so I got writer's block. But I figured I try to sign up anyway, even though I may not get it, since no one else is applying.

• Why do you want to be a Moderator at ZapdosZulu?
  I love Pokemon, and I love this forum and think I can be very helpful and useful. There are a lot of things I know about Pokemon, up to Generation 3 of course. I don't know 4 and 5 that well. But I do know generation 3, and whatever I don't know, I look up. And I love modding, people who are detailed when they post. It makes it very fun when people know how to go into good detail. I totally love modding.
  
  
• Are you an active member of this site and do you have some understanding of the rules and procedures of the site to be able to moderate threads?
  Lately I haven't been very active, but I'll try to do better. I could just be Trainee until you see if I'm gonna start being more active. I have great understanding of the rules though, and can mod threads good, as I have me my own Pokemon forum that mods in the same way.
  
  
• Have you had any past experience as a staff member on another roleplaying site or have you taken up a role of responsibility in the past?
  Yes, I have a forum, that Mods the same way as this one, meaning I have EXP in modding this way. I also used to be a member on a different account here a long time ago when the forum was first made. I actually used to be a Mod here, before, on my first account that got deleted.
  
  
• Do you have any additional skills that could be useful in developing the site?
  Ya, I can sometimes come up with pretty good plot points and I am pretty good at spriting and making graphics as well. I'm not as good as some other people but I'm kinda good at them and enjoy making graphics. And I'm good at video making as well, if you want a video ad for the forum, I could make one and upload to Youtube.
  
  
• If you read this, tell me what the secret word is.
  Nargacuga
  
  

[latani]

Sorry Pika but your activity has been really spotty. We need people who can pretty much sign on daily and you've been gone for the past little while as well. So I can't let you take the test. Maybe next time.

[pikachu464]

What are you gonna do if no one signs up?

[Wolff]

• Why do you want to be a Moderator at ZapdosZulu?
  I would like to be a moderator at ZZ because I would like to help out the hard working staff that is already here. I have been here for a few months now and see how many threads that need replying to by the admin and mods each day and can't help, but feel the want, the need to help. I know with so little on the team to help it must be really hard and they must get tired after awhile.
  
  
• Are you an active member of this site and do you have some understanding of the rules and procedures of the site to be able to moderate threads?
  Like I said before I have been a member of the site for a few months now and I try to come on at least ones a day. There was a short period where I had been unable to come onto the site, but that was due to school and then getting sick. However I enjoy the site so much that even when I don't have anything to reply too I stick around just to talk on the cBox and read up on other people's threads. I believe I understand the rules well enough and if I don't understand something completely I go back and read the rules. Or I will ask a fellow member of the site if I have a really bad brain fail.
  
  
• Have you had any past experience as a staff member on another roleplaying site or have you taken up a role of responsibility in the past?
  I have never been a mod on here before, however I have been a mod before in the past for a couple of pokemon sites. Sadly none of them are still going. One of them was known as Pokemon Alice a pokemon rp that was active and ran on Spleafnet a while back while that host was still running.
  
  
• Do you have any additional skills that could be useful in developing the site?
  Where as I am a failure with coding and such for proboards I am fair enough at graphics in gimp. I am also chalk full of ideas that could be fun for the site. A lot of them would probably be laughed at (which isn't always a bad thing) and dismissed, but I still have them.
  
  
• If you read this, tell me what the secret word is.
  Nargacuga
  

[latani]

Mar 14, 2012 16:27:18 GMT 11 pikachu464 said:

What are you gonna do if no one signs up?

....That's a bit of a silly question. If ZZ wasn't active then that would be a problem. But it is so even if it takes a couple weeks for someone to make an application then we'll wait.

Wolff; I've made your test here so feel free to post when you can ~

[Megan]

• Why do you want to be a Mod at ZZ?
  

  I have seen how had the Mods work and how much of a load it is on so many of them to be on every single day to make 7+ posts. I want to be able to help the current Mod’s out and to be able to make posts for other members that are waiting. If we didn't have these mods who work with so much effort the site might not be what it is today. The admins, Gmods, and mods alike all work together with one thing in common and that is Pokemon, that strengthens their bond and our bond as a forum member community. I would love to be able to use my knowledge, love and dedication to Pokemon to continue to work on this site and help it flourish and grow!

  
  
• Are you an active member of this site and do you have some understanding of the rules and procedures of the site to be able to mod threads?
  

  Yeah I’ve been active for about a month now. So I have seen the way that the mods work, how they post and what the do around the site. Granted I had registered in January and made my character, but in late Dec - February my time is limited because of the type of sport I do in the winter but the other 9 ½ months I am free to mod at will. I am on just about everyday. C: If I don't understand something, can't find something, or just need help with anything at all I am a quick learner and willing to ask anyone about it. I can take criticism and advice which I always will incorporate later on and can take it easily cause I know that it'll help make me a better person, role player, and moderator.

  
  
• Have you had any past experiences as a staff member on another site or have you taken up a role of responsibility in the past?
  

  A friend and I began Aspire Equine Academy but we started to see lack of activity and she had to stop coming on because of college and I wasn’t able to do it by myself so we stopped for the time being and as soon as she graduates from College we will be restarting it :D I was a Mod.

  
  
• Do you have any additional skills that could be useful in developing the site.
  

  I am pretty skilled in the Header and Footer coding for proboards, but I’m not super skilled in things in gimp or photoshop (i’m getting better) but I could use my coding skills to help code things around the site that need done.

  
  
• If you read this, tell me what the secret word is?
  

  Nargacuga

  
  

[Sky]

• Why do you want to be a Moderator at ZapdosZulu?
  In the past month and a half since I've joined ZZ, I've seen how hard the moderators work to keep this site functioning and running smoothly. Without their hard work, the site would not be nearly as enjoyable to be a part of. I want to bring my love of Pokemon and my dedication to this site and assist the staff with moderating.
  
  
• Are you an active member of this site and do you have some understanding of the rules and procedures of the site to be able to moderate threads?
  While I don't post every day, I make an effort to log on and check the forums every single day. I believe that I have a firm grasp of the battle system and the rules of the site. If I don't understand something, I'm always willing to take advice and make adjustments to any of my posts.
  
  
• Have you had any past experience as a staff member on another roleplaying site or have you taken up a role of responsibility in the past?
  I have not been a moderator for a roleplaying site before, but I have assisted a good friend in planning activities for the guild that she captains on GaiaOnline. I have also helped and mentored new members in this guild.
  
  
• Do you have any additional skills that could be useful in developing the site?
  As I have stated earlier, I love Pokemon. I have kept up with the games as they have progressed. Thus, I have a very good knowledge of all Generations and battle systems. In addition, I am fairly good at drawing and photoshop, so I could assist in making banners and the like. I am also quite adept at html coding.
  
  
• If you read this, tell me what the secret word is.
  Nargacuga
  

[latani]

Megan, you can sit your test here.

Schuylar, yours can be found; here ~

[♅ Quetzalcoatl ♅]

• Why do you want to be a Moderator at ZapdosZulu?
  
  Quite Frankly? I feel like you guys could use some help modding the threads and with how slow things are right now I'd just hate to see things turn for the worst. I don't mind modding and find it to be a nice experience especially with a fun system such as you guys have here. I'd also get to make my own battle template.
  
  
• Are you an active member of this site and do you have some understanding of the rules and procedures of the site to be able to moderate threads?
  
  My activity tends to come and go, but I know especially if I became a mod here and always had something to do I'd stay for good. It's the kind of thing when my single thread doesn't move for a few weeks as it's happened in the past or when my muse just wont facilitate my one thread I tend to get frustrated and leave. Modding threads would keep me busy so I'd believe my activity would remain constant. I understand the system here minus how to dish out damage calculations or critical hits, I'm a quick learner though, give me a website or a few pointers and I'll pick it up.
  
  
• Have you had any past experience as a staff member on another roleplaying site or have you taken up a role of responsibility in the past?
  
  I used to be admin for a few sites and I used to mod (and currently do mod) for a few sites. Can't say I've done modding for a Pokemon site more than once, but I have lots of general modding experience.
  
  
• Do you have any additional skills that could be useful in developing the site?
  
  I've been here awhile, I feel like I've seen the site progress in the bits I have. I can bring a sense of interest to it and I can do my best to post as much as possible. Additional skills would probably include an encyclopedic knowledge of Pokemon moves, ability, stats, whatnot. I tend to be able to recall things like that and I have a good understanding of both anime and manga. I am able to follow orders well too ^.^
  
  
• If you read this, tell me what the secret word is.
  Nargacuga
  

[latani]

Alright Quetz, your test can be taken here.

I'll be closing staff apps now, so thank you for your interest everyone ~