co-worker threatening to take my job

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So after my last thread bitching and moaning about how noone would hire me, I finally landed a good gig. I get paid $19/hr to build websites and do IT management. Only problem is, my job is currently in jeopardy because they just hired some douchebag that is threatening to take over my position as IT manager. He's got a good 5 or 10 years on me at least, and about the same amount of years in IT management. But they hired him as a staffing manager, and they were supposed to leave all the IT work to me. Now, he never does any of his own work and does all the IT work. My boss is starting to realize that this guy has way more experience in that department than I do. Even though I have an AS in Computer Networking, I have virtually no hands on experience with it, and I kinda suck at it. My concern at this point is that once I complete the company website, they might fire me cuz they wouldn't really need someone full-time just to maintain a website.
Right now we're working on setting up a wireless network for the entire company, and I have very little knowledge as to how to go about doing this. So he'll most likely do all the work.

What should I do to try to secure my position at this company?

another thing is this guy is really liked by everyone and he is a way better communicator than me. I'm just kinda the weird creepy guy that sits in the corner and never talks. My asperger's really gets in the way of my work.

That sucks. Maybe you could really put in an extra effort, in an attempt to prove yourself and impress the boss. Show him that you have just as much potential as the new guy.

The last person who threatened to take my job now works for his wife in Kansas City ... selling Avon and Tupperware.

nice, but it doesn't help me much

It can be a tough world out there, and usually it's "survival of the fittest".

From a purely HR standpoint one person cannot simply "take" another person's job. Nor can you be fired without cause (ie a terminatable offense- stealing, falsifying documents, poor performance, excessive absences- you get the idea) and all offenses must be document on paper and signed by you.
Your superiors can opt to do a job position re-assignment for which they don't need a reason but it usually is something like, "We think you'll do much better over in this department because....."

But I would rest easy. Even in Right-To-Work states a person cannot be fired simply because someone comes along who can seemingly do the job better. There is grounds for legal recourse should that happen. Familiarize yourself with your local Department of Fair Housing and Employment.

You need to have a very frank discussion with your immediate supervisor about your concerns. Not speaking up means you accept the current situation.

You need to bring each and every success you helped create to your supervisors' attention. Yeah- it sounds like excessive bragging but not saying anything can mean it never happened at all. Document all your completed work and how it positively affected your company. That will help in performance reviews as well. I have NEVER left a performance interview with the original review marks. I always went in armed with a binder stuffed with accomplishments they tend to overlook.

You need to document each time your co-worker overstepd his/her job description without express permission from your &/or your respective supervisors. Not bringing these issues to your supervisor means you accept responsibility for the events.

You need to relax and not let this person know that you're getting frazzled over it.

And I do agree with Jawbrodt- If you're serious about keeping your job you need to improve upon your abilities, minimize your percieved faults and stick to your own business.

Best of luck!

hey thanks alot NocturnalQuilter, I really appreciate it. Thats exactly the answer I was looking for. I'm going to do everything you suggested and hopefully things will work out.

I'm thinking about taking this guy asside and telling him to lay off most of the IT work so I can handle it. Maybe take him out to lunch or something and discuss it.
Do you think that would be a good idea?

1. Stop being defeatist - you can do it. (you only suck at it if you let yourself suck).
2. Stop being paranoid - unless you're getting paid a lot more, he probably doesn't care about your job.
3. He's a better communicator - yeah right... start writing some memos if verbal is too hard.

Now...

Instead of worrying about what you can and can't do, start worrying about what the company is doing.

Think about these questions;

What do they want wireless for (are they all on laptops?)
Do they really think it will be faster than wired?
How will the web site be hosted?
How will mail come in?
Is there a need for an extranet?
File Servers?
Authentication/Login/DHCP Servers?
What Backup and restore facilities are there?
Have they been tested?
What's the DRP Like (do they have a BCP too?)
Do they have a proper inventory of both hardware and software?
What is the IT Strategy? Do they have one? Is it appropriate?

Think about everything that is necessary for a fully fledged IT department.

It's a full time job.

Don't get focussed on only the techie stuff... look at the whole picture.

(and ask questions - lots of people here - and in other online forums will help you).

Good luck.

Do your best and learn what you dont know and need in the job i guess,
sounds a little stressful, good luck