Web Developer

Department: MCC Marketing
Salary/Grade: ITS/79

Job Summary:

Northwestern University's McCormick School of Engineering is looking for a skilled and inquisitive web developer to join our collaborative Marketing and Communications team. The ideal candidate would be a technical expert in design, development, coding, testing, and/or debugging of web pages and applications with an eye toward improving the user experience. The developer will manage complex development projects independently and assist in estimating and planning for future development work. All development projects will be built for use within the University's CMS and will adhere to web accessibility and usability standards. The successful candidate will be team-oriented and able to effectively work together with other web developers and content managers to determine requirements, update specs, develop templates and applications, and provide technical support.

Develops, codes, tests, and debugs new software or enhancements to existing software. Typically works with senior staff, but may coordinate smaller or less complex projects independently. Designs and implements basic technical solutions ensuring that business needs and requirements are met. Performs basic system integration tasks. Provides estimation for assigned tasks.

Specific Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning

• Participates in the development of new goals and strategies based on interactions with primary user.
• Develops plans for software web application deployment on heterogeneous systems.
• Collaborates with user to develop work flow and best practices.
• Partners with user in designing features for technology.

Administration

• Responds to customer inquiries via phone, online, in-person, etc.
• Creates and maintains code documentation.
• Grants system access to new user.
• Evaluates feature/upgrade/change requests and recommends action.
• Participates in interview process for new hires.
• Identifies database and software performance issues, and makes adjustments

Development

• Researches and develops new algorithms and statistical techniques designed for analyzing data based on customer needs.
• Develops and maintains software web application infrastructure, via patches, bundles, releases and maintenance packs.
• Codes software web pages and applications adhering to designs supporting internal business requirements or external user.
• Completes tier 3 troubleshooting.
• Designs databases and data structures.
• Prioritizes tasks within project.
• Meets with business analyst/stakeholder to determine requirements.
• Opens tickets with vendors.
• Keeps current with web accessibility guidelines and tools, ensuring that websites built by Web Communications meet WCAG guidelines for accessibility.

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in a major such as computer science, information technology, or related; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.
• 2 years relevant experience required.

Infrastructure

• Adobe Creative Cloud Suite
• Amazon Web Services (AWS)
• Apache
• Code Repositories (Git, Subversion)
• Linux Operating System
• Mac OS X Operating System
• Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Access, Outlook)
• Microsoft SharePoint
• SQL/MySQL/Postgres
• Google Tag Manager
• Google Ananlytics

Programming Languages and Frameworks

• CFML(ColdFusion)
• CSS
• HTML 5
• Java
• JavaScript
• JQuery
• Node.js
• PHP
• Python
• RubyOnRails
• SAS
• XML

Analytical

• critical thinking
• Debugging
• decision making
• judgment
• metadata creation and management
• problem solving
• Troubleshooting
• use-case analysis

Project

• agile environment
• Code documentation
• collaboration and teamwork
• cost/benefit analysis
• evaluate resources
• facilitate collaboration
• functional documentation
• iterative & incremental development
• organizational skills
• planning

Preferred Qualifications:

• A master's degree in a related technical field
• 2-4 years of experience in responsive website/application development and support.
• Proficiency in: HTML, CSS, Cascade (CMS), XML, XSLT, JavaScript, PHP, Ruby, Data Structures, JSON, Responsive Web Development, Web Accessibility, MVC Frameworks (Laravel/Rails), PostgreSQL/MySQL, and technical knowledge / programming skills to develop searchable/interactive web pages, including draft specification features using progressive enhancement techniques.
• Experience with Apache Velocity or similar Java-based template engine
• Working knowledge of software version control system (VCS), preferably a DVCS like Git.
• Experience with the Cascade Server Web Content Management System or equivalent CMS systems or skills (XML processing using XSLT)
• Knowledge of security, usability, and accessibility issues;
• Experience documenting application specifications and source code;
• Familiarity with Google Tag Manager, Google Analytics, and Amazon Web Services (AWS).

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Ability to apply critical thinking to understand projects from business, customer and technical perspectives;
• Ability to communicate effectively one-to-one and with groups and to write precise, well-organized emails, specifications and proposals;
• Adept at explaining technical concepts to a non-technical audience.
• A helpful, approachable, team-oriented demeanor and the ability to build strong working relationships and a positive, collaborative work environment.
• Past experience in a university or highly decentralized corporate environment
• Working knowledge of common and typical Apache web server configuration
• Knowledge of Slate CRM or other CRM system.

Target hiring range for this position will be between $80,297 - $112,917per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness. More information can be found on the COVID-19 and Campus Updates webpage.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.

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