Job Description

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.