I run a django shop, and my technique for hiring is finding people who preferably have had freelancer experience (know how to get something out the door), know a little (preferably a ton) of bash, actively learn new things, are up on the latest stuff (i should be able to have a conversation about js kits with them), and when i explain the advantages of django to them they show an understanding of Why it is so cool. Python or django is not 'required'.. i can ramp them up on that with lots of little tasks at first.
i think a sign of a good programmer is the tendency to engage with the computer using a language, not just pointing clicking and dragging. Bash familiarity tends to coincide with shell-aptitude.
A big plus is being a unix nerd.