Web Developer
University of North Dakota

Job Info

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Salary/Position Classification

• $55,000+ annual, Exempt
• 40 hours per week
• This position will work onsite our Grand Forks, ND campus.

Purpose of Position

This role is part of the Web Development team dedicated to delivering content management systems and database-driven web applications for the University of North Dakota (UND). The employee will be responsible for front-end development on UND's main website and supporting other web applications.

The position encompasses a wide range of responsibilities, including design, development, production, integrations, automation, and maintenance of websites within the university's content management system and other digital platforms. These platforms include, but are not limited to, mobile applications, microsites, platform theming and integrations (such as calendar and search functions), WordPress themes, plugins, social media, HTML emails, digital signage, and other interactive or online channels. This role is essential for enhancing and sustaining UND's high-quality web presence by adhering to and promoting best practices with a focus on user experience, accessibility, efficiency, and data-driven decision-making.

Duties & Responsibilities

Web Development

• Collaborate with team members to review and enhance existing code, develop new features, improve efficiencies, and address the programming needs of the University.
• Troubleshoot and maintain existing applications and identify areas for improvement and refactoring.
• Develop and integrate reusable components within the existing UND framework.
• Thoroughly document required functionality, manage projects, and complete tasks to deliver timely, effective solutions to stakeholders.
• Leverage JavaScript and JavaScript libraries, frameworks, and applications (jQuery, Node.js, Gulp, etc.) to introduce interactivity into applications and build pipelines.
• Effectively use source control (Git) with ticket and issue-tracking software.
• Contribute to framework and codebase style guides.
• Develop and maintain client and web-based applications and address website programming needs-dynamic content, form logic, data collection, reporting, payment handling, and more.
• Provide ongoing support and maintenance for all the UND framework and related applications.
• Create documentation for all code, applications, services, APIs, etc.

User Interface and UND Web Framework Development and Design

• Collaborate with the Web and Digital Marketing team to design visual elements and interactive media. To create positive user experiences, ensure accessibility of UND websites hosted in a content management system.
• Monitor, test, and optimize usability and performance and ensure cross-browser/cross-platform compatibility.
• Using systematic QA standards, analyze web deliverables and projects for quality, accessibility, functionality, purpose/need, etc.
• Follow best practices and usability standards, including accessibility guidelines in all design and development.
• Follow UND brand guidelines as developed and determined by UND Marketing.
• Extend UND brand guidelines to third-party services, integrations, and custom applications.
• Evaluate production websites with analytics software to ensure the effectiveness of a site's user interface and architecture.
• Use knowledge of search engine analytics to maximize traffic to key landing pages.
• Make improvements to the structure, navigation, and other site components based on usability, traffic, and marketing focus.
• Develop, implement, and recommend new web strategies, features, functions, standards, policies, and procedures to enhance website operations.
• Develop reusable visual elements such as templates, web graphics, icons, illustrations, animations, and multimedia for web developers, content developers, and content management systems.
• Participate in and promote research and innovation in interactive design, user experience, interaction, emerging media, and information architecture.
• Contribute to style guides and create ad-hoc design projects as requested.
• Create UI/UX development documentation.
• Act as user experience and accessibility proponent.
• Research and apply SEO and analytics best practices

Content Management System(s) Development and Support

• Develop, enhance, and maintain content management services (like Omni CMS) and custom content management solutions (like digital signage).
• Build and maintain systems to support the delivery of digital content.
• Work with teams and external partners to ensure high-level planning and design documents align with the user experience, vision, standards, and guidelines.
• Provide maintenance, updates, technical support, and enhancements to CMS and CMS features.
• Develop and maintain a local build environment to develop new and existing UND framework features (Gulp, Node.JS, SCSS, etc.).
• Provide user guides and support to Marketing and end-users as new features and content are developed and added to the CMS.

Research and implement new technologies

• Research industry trends in languages, technologies, frameworks, methodologies, and best practices in web development. When applicable, evaluate, recommend, and implement such changes for new and existing projects.
• Perform small-scale test projects to explore ideas to improve processes, code, or existing applications.
• Report findings to the entire team regularly.
• Recommend improvements in process, tools, or languages.

Required Competencies

• Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated excellence in customer service.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to clearly document issues, resolutions, and recommendations.
• Ability to prioritize, multi-task, stay organized, pay attention to detail, and meet deadlines in a changing and demanding work environment.
• Demonstrated ability in problem solving, sound decision-making, and critical thinking skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and be a team player.
• Ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with cross-functional teams, including technical and non-technical staff, security personnel, and third-party vendors.
• Customer service mindset, with the ability to work directly with users to resolve issues while keeping them informed.
• Ability to use mockup concepts and transform them into fully functional websites and applications.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree and 1 years of experience OR an associate's degree and 3 years of experience or equivalent (6 years) related work experience relevant student and internship employment may be considered in addition to full time experience.
• 2 years experience in web development.
• Experience with best practices for web design and understanding of semantic HTML code, user-centered design, usability, and accessibility (W3C and 508).
• Experience creating and maintaining documentation.
• Experience and proficiency with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript web design languages.
• Experience with content management system (CMS) platforms such as Omni CMS, WordPress, or Drupal.
• Successful completion of a Criminal History Background Check

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the US and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in an environment required to maintain confidentiality, such as HIPAA, FERPA, and PCI Compliance
• Experience working in a complex multi-user IT environment
• Experience working in Higher Education
• Experience developing using HTML5, CSS3, Java, PHP, XML, JavaScript, jQuery, and Ajax.
• Expertise in translating messages into visual solutions for the right medium.
• Experience utilizing source control systems (i.e., SVN, Git) and ticket tracking/project management software.
• Experience in developing responsive websites and the ability to produce clean and functional cross-browser, cross-platform, and/or cross-device code.
• Experience with Web analytics tools, including Google Analytics.
• Experience using the principles and elements of design (Balance, Unity, Emphasis, Visual Hierarchy, Scale, Shape, Color, Texture, etc.).
• Experience with a variety of data formats and API Protocols such as JSON, XML, CSV, and REST/SOAP
• Experience with XSL is desirable as this is a core language used by UND's primary CMS.

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