Front End Developer

at  New America

ABOUT NEW AMERICA:

New America is a dynamic and innovative organization dedicated to delivering exceptional digital experiences. We specialize in creating engaging and user-friendly web applications using cutting-edge technologies. We are looking for a talented Front-End Developer to join our team and help us build beautiful, responsive, and high-performance websites using Wagtail CMS and WordPress.

JOB OVERVIEW:

We are seeking a skilled Front-End Developer to join our Central Communications team during an exciting period of website redesign. The ideal candidate will have a passion for building exceptional web interfaces and a strong understanding of front-end development technologies. Your work will be crucial to our current redesign efforts and post-launch optimization. You will collaborate closely with our designers, back-end developers, and content creators to develop and maintain our websites, ensuring they are visually appealing, user-friendly, and optimized for performance.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience: 3-5 years as a Front-End Developer or similar role with a focus on data visualization and website integration.
• Proficiency: Strong proficiency in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
• Frameworks/Libraries: Experience with front-end frameworks/libraries such as React, Angular, or Vue.js.
• WordPress Expertise: Experience with WordPress, including theme development, customization, and familiarity with WordPress security best practices. (New site to be built on WordPress, to debut Q2 2025)
• PHP and MySQL: Experience with PHP and MySQL for WordPress development.
• Responsive Design: Understanding of responsive design principles and mobile-first development.
• SEO Knowledge: Knowledge of SEO principles and best practices.
• Code Repositories: Experience with code repositories (e.g., Git).
• Security Knowledge: Understanding of web security principles and practices, including familiarity with common security vulnerabilities (e.g., XSS, CSRF, SQL Injection) and how to mitigate them.
• Compliance Awareness: Knowledge of industry standards and compliance requirements (e.g., GDPR, CCPA) related to data security and privacy.
• Security Tools: Experience with security tools and technologies, such as firewalls, encryption, and secure coding practices.
• Collaboration: Strong ability to work collaboratively with visual designers, back-end developers, content creators, and information technology teams to ensure secure and efficient website integrations.
• Problem-Solving: Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail with a proactive approach to identifying and addressing security concerns.
• Communication: Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• Fast-Paced Environment: Ability to work in a fast-paced and collaborative environment.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Familiarity with image and document management in Wagtail and WordPress.
• Understanding of accessibility standards and best practices. (e.g., A11Y and WCAG)
• Experience with performance optimization techniques for web applications.
• Familiarity of Python and Django for back-end integration. (Current CMS is Wagtail, to be sunset Q2 2025)
• Relevant security certifications, such as Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), or other relevant credentials, are a plus.
• Commitment to staying up-to-date with the latest security trends, vulnerabilities, and best practices in web development.

• Web Development: Develop and maintain responsive and interactive web interfaces using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
• CMS Integration: Work with Wagtail CMS and WordPress to build and customize content modules, templates, and front-end components.
• UI/UX Collaboration: Collaborate with designers and data visualization developers to translate UI/UX designs into pixel-perfect web pages.
• Performance Optimization: Optimize web pages for performance, accessibility, and SEO.
• Best Practices Implementation: Implement best practices in web development, including code reviews, testing, and documentation.
• Organizational Security: Implement and maintain security best practices to protect data visualizations and website integrations, ensuring compliance with organizational security policies.
• WordPress Management: Utilize experience with WordPress to manage and integrate data visualizations within the CMS, ensuring compatibility and functionality.
• Cross-Browser Compatibility: Ensure cross-browser compatibility and resolve any front-end issues.
• Technology Trends: Stay up-to-date with the latest front-end development trends and technologies.
• Integration: Work with back-end developers to integrate front-end code with server-side logic.
• Feature Implementation: Assist in the planning and implementation of new features and functionality. Collaborating with Senior Visual Designer / Brand Lead on design implementation.