emptybody's Journal: UNIX Admin available for Retainer

I have been a fulltime employee for the last 12 years performing all manner of Systems and Networks Administration tasks. As I find my current employer is scaling back from what was once a glorious worldwide presence to a skeleton crew of mainly F&A folks, I have decided to embark on a change of career focus.

Rather than be tied to the whims of a single large player I am searching several small companies in need of proven talent but without the need for a FTE. To this end I am investigating something that has been in common use for lawyers... the retainer.

I would be available to work on projects or tasks set out in a monthly or quarterly basis as well as being available on an as needed basis for troubleshooting and support. Most work would be performed off-site further reducing costs to the client.

This would be considered a part-time contract position renewable in 3-12 month units. The particular needs of each individual client would be taken into account when hourly rates are set.

To ensure that I am able to stay in business providing for the slow times when all is "working well" I would require from my clients a "retainer fee" or commitment for a minimum set number of billable hours monthly. Those hours would usually be spent on specific tasks and projects set out in the employment agreement (maintenance, support, administration, etc.)