Web Application Developer and Content Specialist

at  The University of Chicago

Department
PSD Institute for Mathematical and Statistical Innovation: Administration and Staff
About the Department
The Institute for Mathematical and Statistical Innovation (IMSI) is an NSF-funded mathematical sciences research institute housed in the Physical Sciences Division at the University of Chicago, Hyde Park Cam-pus. IMSI is operated in partnership with Northwestern University, the University of Illinois at Chicago, and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. IMSI hosts and facilitates research, education out-reach, public engagement, and workforce development programs in the mathematical sciences. Partici-pants in IMSI activities come from the international scientific and technology community. Research at IMSI is focused primarily on applications in defined thematic areas, currently including climate & sustain-ability, data & information, health care & medicine, materials science, quantum computing & infor-mation, and quantifying uncertainty.
Job Summary
Reporting to the Executive Director of IMSI, the Web Application Developer and Content Specialist is responsible for developing highly functional and secure web applications for the Institute, including database design, middleware development, application performance optimization, and code maintenance. In addition, this position supports the IMSI communications and outreach efforts through creating and editing digital media. This position is eligible for a partially remote work schedule.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain Institute web applications by assisting in the design and evaluation of project plans, functional requirements, and wireframes for technical viability.
• Modify, customize, and maintain the IMSI website, using WordPress programming.
• Design databases and webpages in the appropriate programming platform on new web applications and/or existing web applications, developing middleware where appropriate.
• Follow coding guidelines, including style and security guidelines.
• Participate in functional testing and security reviewing.
• Support and maintain existing web applications.
• Ensure that sites continue to meet evolving standards.
• Support clients and users as necessary.
• Contribute to the evolution of web standards and procedures at the University by maintaining a high level of knowledge of current web standards, technologies, and trends through training and research.
• Contribute to the evolution of departmental standards and coding guidelines followed by the programming team, tools, and project process. [comment from Bo: I’m not sure what this means, especially references to “departmental standards,” the “programming team,” and “project process”.
• Responsible for training office staff on the use of websites and other tools.
• Coordinates special projects.
• Adds content to the website.
• Researches and analyzes data to create reports.
• Investigates and resolves day-to-day technical problems using standard procedures.
• Supports and maintains existing applications. Works with developers and responds to requests from users.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications
Education:
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
-
Work Experience:
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through < 2 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
-
Certifications:
-
Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science or related field.
• Equivalent web development, web application programming experience or coursework.

Experience:

• Minimum of three years of professional programming and testing experience with WordPress, PHP, and JavaScript.
• Experience with Object Oriented Programming, particularly in PHP.
• Work samples, preferably in an online portfolio.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Data modeling or database design experience.
• Experience developing in WordPress.
• Experience designing and coding web and/or native apps for mobile environments.
• Professional experience within a higher education environment.

Preferred Competencies

• Expert experience with object-oriented PHP, JavaScript, and MySQL.
• Solid understanding of standards-compliant, semantic HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent analytical skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and collaborative skills.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills; the ability to prioritize multiple projects and independently follow through with detail.
• Self-motivation and the ability to take initiative.
• The ability to conceptualize a course of action and organize its successful completion.
• Experience with WordPress, PHP, and JavaScript.
• Customer service skills.

Working Conditions

• This role makes use of standard office equipment.
• ability to sit for short or extended time periods.
• Ability to extensively use computers.
• Ability to make repetitive wrist, hand, or finger movements.
• Ability to perform tasks that involve visual perception, including distinguishing colors, perceiving depth, and recognizing details.
• Ability to perform tasks that involve auditory perception, including distinguishing between different sounds.
• Ability to use tools requiring high dexterity.

Application Documents

• Resume (required)
• Cover Letter (required)
• References (preferred)

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.
Job Family
Information Technology
Role Impact
Individual Contributor
FLSA Status
Exempt
Pay Frequency
Monthly
Scheduled Weekly Hours
37.5
Benefits Eligible
Yes
Drug Test Required
No
Health Screen Required
No
Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
No
Posting Statement
The University of Chicago is an
Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans
and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the
University’s Notice of Nondiscrimination.
Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via
Applicant Inquiry Form.
We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.
All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.
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• Develop and maintain Institute web applications by assisting in the design and evaluation of project plans, functional requirements, and wireframes for technical viability.
• Modify, customize, and maintain the IMSI website, using WordPress programming.
• Design databases and webpages in the appropriate programming platform on new web applications and/or existing web applications, developing middleware where appropriate.
• Follow coding guidelines, including style and security guidelines.
• Participate in functional testing and security reviewing.
• Support and maintain existing web applications.
• Ensure that sites continue to meet evolving standards.
• Support clients and users as necessary.
• Contribute to the evolution of web standards and procedures at the University by maintaining a high level of knowledge of current web standards, technologies, and trends through training and research.
• Contribute to the evolution of departmental standards and coding guidelines followed by the programming team, tools, and project process. [comment from Bo: I’m not sure what this means, especially references to “departmental standards,” the “programming team,” and “project process”.
• Responsible for training office staff on the use of websites and other tools.
• Coordinates special projects.
• Adds content to the website.
• Researches and analyzes data to create reports.
• Investigates and resolves day-to-day technical problems using standard procedures.
• Supports and maintains existing applications. Works with developers and responds to requests from users.
• Performs other related work as needed