Hamline University – Web Back-End Developer – Saint Paul, MN

Job Description

Job title: Web Back-End Developer

Company: Hamline University


Job description: Founded in 1854, Hamline was the first university in Minnesota and among the first coeducational institutions in the nation. Hamline University provides a world-class education for undergraduate and graduate students. Our faculty, staff, and students cultivate an ethic of civic responsibility, social justice, and inclusive leadership and service.

Hamline University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Hamline University does not discriminate on the basis of race; color; religion; creed; sex; sexual orientation; gender identity; gender expression; national origin; marital status; familial status; status with regard to public assistance; membership or activity in a local human rights commission; disability; age; protected veteran status; or any other status protected by applicable law in its education or employment programs or activities. The University will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities.

JOB SUMMARY

The Web Back-End Developer (WBED) plans, develops, implements, administers, and supports the university’s web environment and related systems, including mobile and emerging technologies. The position ensures that the various interdependent systems that comprise the university’s web environment are functioning optimally and securely.

More broadly, this position contributes to development and deployment of solutions to meet the requirements for successful digital transformation of the university’s activities and operations. This to include the Hamline University website, marketing, enrollment, finance and banking, personnel, payroll, student records, identity management and authentication services, Google Workspace, and various custom and cloud-based solutions.

To craft these solutions, the WBED collaborates with a wide variety of employees representing all core university offices and administrative units.

The WBED is within the ITS Enterprise Applications and Development (EAD) group. This group is responsible for acquiring, aligning, customizing, and administering software applications for critical business requirements, whether they reside on a variety of platforms across the university’s network or in the cloud. These applications are often large, complex, multi-user services that encode business policies, processes, and rules. They require sophisticated logic and manipulate large chunks of data. Examples of key systems include the university’s Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, web content management system (CMS), and learning management system (LMS). This role routinely requires manipulating considerable amounts of confidential information.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Web Administration and Development:

Lead the technical effort of migration of the university’s website software from Ektron to Drupal.

Assists in developing responsive, scalable, and maintainable web code for an enterprise-level website that pulls in data from APIs. Supports existing web applications including troubleshooting, bug fixing, required upgrades, and modifications to existing functionality.

Provides technical administration and leadership for the primary CMS web environment (currently Ektron but transitioning to Drupal/Acquia). Carries out routine administration of website operations and monitors CMS performance.

Responsible for the full technology suite associated with the Digital Experience Platform (DXP), including the installation, management and oversight of updates, modules, plugins, sites and all related and associated technologies. Included is the oversight and management of technologies introduced and utilized by third parties, including implementation and development partners.

Directly supports Marketing staff to understand, document, and report back on development requirements and acceptance criteria. The work may be done solo (with guidance), or with a project manager and larger team, and requires creation of visual mockups and functional prototypes, as well as deploying emergency website communications such as banners and related changes.

Develops and implements emergency, disaster recovery, and security remediation for the primary web presence. Ensures timely resolution of performance issues, including data and system integration related topics, as well as display, accessibility, and user experience (UX) problems.

Provides leadership for the university’s evolving, overarching Digital Experience Platform (DXP) environment and related technologies that deliver the university’s virtual presence to all internal and external constituencies.

Custom Development and Integration:

Works with various academic and administrative offices, units, and divisions located across the university to develop business requirements and specifications for web-based applications, including utilization of mobile and emerging technologies. Develops and supports custom software applications in support of these requirements and initiatives. Utilizes web technologies in association with existing platform technologies, including Drupal/Acquia, Workday, Google app script and other Google technologies, ServiceNow, and Docfinity.

Supports system integration efforts led by the (IL). Serves as a backup for the IL related to system integration and support of API, transformation and data transmission and sharing requirements.

Administers the university’s primary document management tool (currently Docfinity) including oversight of the integration sharing data between Admissions, Financial Aid, and the Registrar.

Technology Evaluation, Consultation, and Support:

Serves as a consulting partner with key constituents (generally staff in university administrative offices, especially web designers and content managers) to support web-related functionality and to drive ongoing technological innovation. Provides design recommendations, documentation, training, and resources for these key constituents.

Identifies emerging web-related technologies that show promise for being of value to the university. Analyzes potential effectiveness as well as implementation considerations.

Assists with collecting data, completing surveys, and crafting reports for benchmarking and program evaluation. Analyzes operations and user satisfaction data to continually improve service. Maintains relevant statistics and prepares reports as necessary.

Serves on policy and planning committees as appropriate. Ensures compliance with relevant policies, practices, and procedures.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Participates in ITS workgroups and project teams.
• Works on special projects.
• Performs other duties as requested.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND KEY COMPETENCIES

Technical Experience and Skills:

• Expertise in core API standards and technologies and solutions, including SOAP, REST, JSON
• Expertise in core web technologies including JavaScript, CSS, HTML, .NET, Php, Java, XML.
• Ability to integrate applications with database technologies such as Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle and MySQL
• Expertise in Drupal/Acquia integration tools
• Knowledge of Windows and Unix/Linux environments
• Knowledge of source control systems (Git, CVS, SVN)
• Knowledge of web and application servers including Apache, IIS, WebLogic, Tomcat

Core Workplace Skills/Abilities:

• Communication skills commensurate with a professional workplace–to communicate clearly and concisely, convey complex information in a manner that others can understand, as well as the ability to understand and interpret complex information from others
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, including demonstrated experience in facilitating teamwork and cross-unit collaboration
• Outstanding attention to detail and thoroughness
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and follow through on projects to completion, including accommodating multiple conflicting demands for commitment of effort
• Aptitude for working effectively with faculty, staff, students, and colleagues; enthusiasm for delivering high quality service to an academic community
• Commitment to a diverse academic community, and an understanding of the contributions a diverse workforce brings to the workplace
• Capacity to adjust and thrive in an ambiguous, future-oriented environment and to respond effectively to changing needs and priorities
• Sensitivity for reducing stress for colleagues and other co-workers
• Resilience of character and perspective

MINIMUM EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a field associated with CIS, MIS or related fields.
• Two (2) years of professional experience supporting and administering a Web CMS based solution, such as Ektron, Drupal/Acquia, Cascade, WordPress or other enterprise CMS solutions.
• Two (2) years of professional experience developing web-based applications utilizing a combination of web technologies among .Net, Drupal, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, Java, PHP and others.

PREFERRED EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

• Familiarity with concepts, principles, issues, emerging technologies, and challenges associated with supporting both the business and academic operations of a university community
• Familiarity with creating a full student lifecycle environment that increasingly relies on digital interactions and experiences
• Project management experience or aptitude
• Proficiency with personal productivity IT tools used in a typical academic environment, including virtual collaboration tools (e.g., Google Workplace)

WORKING CONDITIONS/EQUIPMENT

Must be able to perform the following essential functions with or without a reasonable accommodation:

• Requires computer use for significant periods of time.
• Requires ability to administer aspects of the university’s web site and supported technologies remotely.
• Requires working occasionally outside of standard Monday-Friday 8:00-5:00 working hours, including the need to work during ITS maintenance windows.
• Work from home (WFH) is authorized by arrangement with supervisor.
• Must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 or eligible for legally required exemption such as a medical or religious reason.

All questions marked ‘Required’ need to be answered in order to submit the application. It is important that your application show all of the relevant education and experience you possess. Applications may be rejected if incomplete. If rejected, you must reapply for the position in order to be considered. A resume or curriculum vitae, a cover letter outlining your qualifications for and interest in the position, contact information for 3 current, professional references, as well as copies of transcripts (if required) must be uploaded with each application.


Expected salary:

Location: Saint Paul, MN