Usability Specialist/Human Factors Engineer

James T. Cothron

Objective: Seeking a position to utilize my usability testing and user-centered design skills for web applications and software development.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

ACME CONSULTING, INC. Phoenix, Arizona

Principal, June 2002 to Present

• Launched a start-up educational software and technology consulting company

• Collaborated with educational software and web-based companies in User-Centered Design and usability testing

• Functioned as liaison between businesses and community entities and members

GODADDY.COM, INC., Scottsdale Arizona

Usability Specialist, February 2007 to March 2008

• Developed and conducted usability testing for web application user interfaces including paper, Flash, and other interactive prototypes

• Completed heuristic reviews of product releases

• Coordinated internal product reviews

• Conducted product trial campaign with customer base

• Proposed the need for creating personas to focus development team on the typical user

• Established interdepartmental working relationships with design, development, call center and marketing teams

• Developed wireframes with Axure and SnagIt software for proposed designs and for usability reports

• Provided detailed weekly and bi-weekly progress reports regarding usability activities

DIGITAL KIDS LLC, Phoenix, Arizona

Vice President – Usability Testing June 2004 to May 2006

• Co-established start-up user-center design company focused on integrating students and teachers into design process of educational software and learning management systems

• Conducted Flash and paper prototyping usability studies

• Collaborated with multidisciplinary design teams focusing on Human Computer Interactions

• Designed, coordinated, conducted, and documented user-centered activities and usability sessions

• Completed and applied heuristic evaluation training

• Communicated user-centered activities and usability testing results via video, written reports, and with user-produced artifacts

• Conducted usability studies for Web sites

• Established relationships with varied clients, which included: schools, teachers, students, and parents

• Procured contracts with educational technology companies

• Taught grade school students to create digital movies, music, and photos

PEARSON DIGITAL LEARNING, Scottsdale, Arizona

User-Centered Design Coordinator, November 2003 to May 2004

• Ignited User-Centered Design philosophy and process for product development and design

• Established pilot sites at two public schools to incorporate students and teachers into design process

• Coordinated the installation of hardware and software at the pilot sites

Standards Alignment Specialist/Coordinator, June 2001 to November 2003

• Appointed to lead standards integration project during the merger of Pearson Educational Technologies

• Trained and supervised contractors for standards alignment of KnowledgeBox

• Coordinated with lead information systems engineer in designing relational database standards alignment management tool

• Created a standards alignment guidebook

• Developed budget for standards alignment project

• Established and implemented timelines for standards alignment project for KnowledgeBox

• Generated detailed weekly progress reports

MADISON SCHOOL DISTRICT, Phoenix, Arizona

School Psychologist, August 1998 to June 2002

• Managed Special Education services including the continuum of service delivery models

• Led student problem-solving teams comprised of teachers, administrators and support personnel

• Administered standardized tests, generated and interpreted detailed psychoeducational reports

• Chaired and case-managed multidisciplinary evaluations to determine Special Education eligibility

• Led multidisciplinary teams in developing Individual Education Programs for students with disabilities

• Instructed district professional development class in crisis intervention and physical management

• Participated in the Arizona Department of Education audit of the district’s Special Education program

• Negotiated school psychologists’ contracts with district administrators

COVINGTON INDEPENDENT PUBLIC SCHOOLS, Covington, Kentucky

Student Assistance Coordinator, May 1997 to July 1998

• Counseled adolescents and their parents in suicide intervention and behavioral management

• Provided individual and group counseling to students in alternative school program

• Interfaced with medical and mental health providers to coordinate services

• Provided training for middle school students in peer mediation program

School Psychologist, August 1995 to May 1997

• Managed Special Education services including the continuum of service delivery models

• Led student problem-solving teams comprised of teachers, administrators and support personnel

• Administered standardized tests, generated and interpreted detailed psychoeducational reports

• Consulted with teachers in meeting students’ academic and behavioral needs by suggesting alternative instructional methods, techniques, materials and technology

• Established a peer mediation program at the middle school in conjunction with the Youth Services Center and provided training for the students

EDUCATION

University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky

Master of Science in Education, School Psychology, 1994

Bachelor of Arts, Psychology, 1989

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