WordPress Developer at City Colleges of Chicago

The WordPress Developer is responsible for designing and developing custom WordPress themes and plugins, implementing new features and functionality, and enhancing user experience, leveraging a strong background in web development and a deep understanding of WordPress and its ecosystem. Performs related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Computer Science or directly related field- OR-Bachelor’s degree with a combination of certificates, training, and work experience relevant to the position’s duties
• Five years of experience in web development, with a focus on WordPress: experience with Multi-Site preferred
• Employees working remote are responsible for providing a stable internet environment with a connection speed of at least 300 megabytes per second (Mbps).
• Experience working in an institution of higher education or large and/or complex institution preferred
• Experience with debugging and troubleshooting WordPress issues
• Experience with performance optimization and security best practices
• Experience in testing and debugging tools like Firebug, Chrome inspector, etc
• Proficient in the use of code repositories such as Github
• Knowledge and understanding of how to interact with RESTful APIs and formats (JSON, XML)
• Strong understanding of HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and PHP
• Strong understanding of SEO principles and best practices
• Understanding of website architecture and aesthetics
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects
• Ability to convert comprehensive layout and wireframes into responsively designed HTML pages
• Ability to understand CSS changes and their ramifications to ensure consistent style across platforms and browsers
• Ability to work well with employees at all levels of the organization and possess the ability to handle all situations with tact and diplomacy
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowePoint

Description

The Office of Information Technology (OIT) supports student success by providing a reliable and innovative technology environment for students, faculty, and staff to improve teaching, learning, and support operations. The Department of Web Services and Academic Technologies key functional areas include Learning Management System; GradesFirst; Library System; Website & Website Applications; SharePoint; and CRM.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE

Reporting to the Executive Director- Web and Academic Technology, this WordPress Developer position supports and develops web solutions built on the WordPress platform, working collaboratively with OIT, Marketing/Communications, and other teams across the district.

The WordPress Developer is responsible for designing and developing custom WordPress themes and plugins, implementing new features and functionality, and enhancing user experience, leveraging a strong background in web development and a deep understanding of WordPress and its ecosystem. Performs related duties as required.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Designs and develops custom WordPress themes and plugins.
• Maintains and optimizes performance of existing WordPress websites.
• Remotely troubleshoots and debugs WordPress issues
• Remotely performs regular maintenance tasks and security updates
• Collaborates remotely with designers, developers, and stakeholders to ensure website functionality and usability.
• Works remotely with OIT teams to develop new features and upgrade/refactor existing solutions as needed.
• Researches and remains knowledgeable and up-to-date of new WordPress features and best practices.
• Implements external access to and transactions with other systems using application programming interfaces (API, macros, script/batch interfaces or electronic commerce solutions).
• Remotely manages relationship with website managed hosting vendor.
• Monitors plugin updates, WordPress updates, site performance.
• Remotely provides training and support to other employees.
• Adheres to OIT Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) methodologies and change control procedures including testing and back-out procedures
• Adheres to CCC Customer Service Excellence Standards.
• Performs other remote related duties as assigned.
• REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS
• Reports To Executive Director – Web and Academic Technology
• Direct Supervision None

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Computer Science or directly related field- OR-Bachelor’s degree with a combination of certificates, training, and work experience relevant to the position’s duties
• Five years of experience in web development, with a focus on WordPress: experience with Multi-Site preferred
• Employees working remote are responsible for providing a stable internet environment with a connection speed of at least 300 megabytes per second (Mbps).
• Experience working in an institution of higher education or large and/or complex institution preferred
• Experience with debugging and troubleshooting WordPress issues
• Experience with performance optimization and security best practices
• Experience in testing and debugging tools like Firebug, Chrome inspector, etc
• Proficient in the use of code repositories such as Github
• Knowledge and understanding of how to interact with RESTful APIs and formats (JSON, XML)
• Strong understanding of HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and PHP
• Strong understanding of SEO principles and best practices
• Understanding of website architecture and aesthetics
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects
• Ability to convert comprehensive layout and wireframes into responsively designed HTML pages
• Ability to understand CSS changes and their ramifications to ensure consistent style across platforms and browsers
• Ability to work well with employees at all levels of the organization and possess the ability to handle all situations with tact and diplomacy
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowePoint)