Full Time: Visiting Web Systems Developer at Prairie Research Institute in Champaign, Illinois

Visiting Web Systems Developer

Prairie Research Institute University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

The Prairie Research Institute (PRI), a research and service institute of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign centrally located between Chicago, St. Louis, and Indianapolis, houses five large scientific surveys covering a wide range of expertise including biology, water resources, climate, geology, sustainable technology, and archaeology. PRI’s mission is to provide objective, integrated scientific research and service, in cooperation with other academic and research units of the University of Illinois and elsewhere, that allow citizens and decision-makers to make choices that ensure sustainable economic development, enduring environmental quality, and cultural resource preservation for the people, businesses, and governments of Illinois. Learn more at www.prairie.illinois.edu.

PRI is seeking to hire a Visiting Web Systems Developer to collaborate with communication professionals and other PRI staff to create and maintain standards-compliant web properties that effectively communicate the activities and impact of the Prairie Research Institute and its constituent surveys, programs, and projects. Position is based in Champaign, Illinois.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Apply knowledge of current web trends and the latest technologies and techniques to ensure PRI web properties meet usability, accessibility, and security standards.
• Use back-end frameworks to build server-side software.
• Create, integrate and manage databases, e.g. MS SQL Server or similar.
• Develop interfaces to collect and serve various types and formats of data.
• Manage quality assurance and testing for PRI web properties in cooperation with other team members.

Required Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in computer science, web development, or communications. Alternate degree fields will be considered/accepted depending on the nature and depth of the experience as it relates to this position. At least 2 years of professional web development experience. Experience with standard web technologies, including HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, and JQuery. Experience with .NET using C# and/or Visual Basic. Experience creating and altering SQL queries to retrieve and display data. Experience with secure applications programming, including using SSL and data storage. Ability to manage Windows Server OS and associated web technologies (such as IIS). Ability to manage multiple projects while maintaining attention to detail. Strong communication and collaboration skills, including the ability to communicate technical information to non-technical collaborators. Ability to work effectively both independently and in team settings.

Preferred Qualifications: Experience deploying, developing, and maintaining Sitefinity and/or WordPress content management systems. Experience with user interface and experience, responsive design, and web accessibility. Experience with web analytics/metrics. Experience with Git or similar version control system. Experience with cloud computing integration-e.g. Azure, AWS, or private cloud environments. Experience with packages such as Bootstrap, SASS / LESS, and/or Gulp/Grunt. Experience with PHP.

This is a visiting full-time academic professional appointment, renewable annually based upon satisfactory progress in the position and continued funding. Position may become a regular, non-visiting position at a later date depending on funding and programmatic need. The starting date is negotiable after the closing date. Salary is commensurate with experience. Applications must be received by April 27, 2018. Applicants may be interviewed before the closing date; however, no hiring decision will be made until after this date. To apply, please visit https://jobs.illinois.edu/academic-job-board to complete an online profile and to upload 1) a cover letter that clearly articulates how your qualifications and experience make you a viable candidate for this position and should address the qualifications listed above, 2) a résumé/CV, and 3) the names and contact information (including e-mail addresses) of three professional references. All requested information/documentation must be submitted for applications to be considered. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

For further information please contact Lori Walston-Vonderharr, Human Resources, Prairie Research Institute, at lwalston@illinois.edu or 217-244-2401. The University of Illinois conducts criminal background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer.

The University of Illinois is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action employer. Minorities, women, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For more information, visit http://go.illinois.edu/EEO. To learn more about the University’s commitment to diversity, please visit http://www.inclusiveillinois.illinois.edu.