WordPress Web Developer Job at California Creative Solutions Inc. in Chicago

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE

The Web Developer is responsible for the development, maintenance, and optimization of WordPress websites that align with institutional branding and digital strategies for the District Office and seven colleges. This role includes building custom themes, templates, and plugins to support the institution's Enterprise Content Management (ECM) strategy, particularly for academic and program-specific content, ensuring a cohesive and user-centered experience. The WordPress Developer works closely with MARCOM, OIT, and CCC teams to deliver projects from concept to completion, continuously enhancing website performance, security, and adaptability. While this role primarily focuses on WordPress development, ideal candidates may also possess skill sets in broader front-end and back-end web development, including familiarity with other content management systems, JavaScript frameworks (e.g., React, Vue), and modern development practices. This flexibility allows the WordPress Developer to contribute to a range of web development projects beyond WordPress, supporting the institution's diverse digital initiatives and evolving technological needs.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Web Development and Customization:
  • Design, develop, and maintain custom themes, templates, and components within WordPress and other platforms as needed.
  • Develop custom plugins, integrate third-party services, and build reusable components that support academic and program-specific content needs.
  • Translate design elements from Figma or other design tools into fully functional, responsive, and branded web interfaces across platforms.
  • Apply responsive, mobile-first design principles to deliver a consistent user experience across all devices.
• Project Management and Collaboration:
  • Work closely with cross-functional teams MARCOM, OIT, and CCC teams to define project requirements, timelines, and deliverables.
  • Deliver web development projects from inception to completion, ensuring alignment with institutional goals and adherence to quality standards.
  • Participate in cross-functional meetings to gather feedback, align on project objectives, and update stakeholders on progress.
• Website Optimization and Maintenance:
  • Regularly update websites to ensure optimal performance, security, and compatibility with the latest standards.
  • Conduct performance tuning, caching, and optimization tasks to improve page load times, responsiveness, and site health.
  • Manage cross-browser compatibility and perform rigorous QA testing to ensure consistent functionality and appearance across devices.
• Quality Assurance and Accessibility Compliance:
  • Adhere to accessibility standards (WCAG, ADA) to create inclusive and user-friendly web experiences.
  • Conduct QA, troubleshooting, and debugging to maintain high-quality, error-free content.
  • Collect and implement feedback from stakeholders to continuously improve and enhance website features.
• Support for Content and Brand Consistency:
  • Maintain and update themes, templates, and components to ensure brand consistency and a cohesive user experience across digital platforms.
  • Collaborate with MARCOM to integrate branding elements, style guides, taxonomy and across web properties.
  • Support content teams with template updates and enhancements that align with content structure and user experience goals.
• Flexibility with Web Technologies:
  • Leverage knowledge of other content management systems, such as Drupal or Joomla, as well as modern JavaScript frameworks (e.g., React, Vue) to support diverse web development needs.
  • Apply front-end and back-end development skills as required for non-WordPress projects, providing adaptable support across the institution's digital ecosystem.

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Development and Content Management Systems:
  • Proficiency in WordPress development, including custom theme and plugin creation, custom post types, and Advanced Custom Fields (ACF).
  • Solid understanding of PHP, HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript, with experience using CSS frameworks like Bootstrap or Tailwind CSS.
  • Experience with REST APIs and third-party service integration to enable dynamic content functionality.
  • Familiarity with multisite environments and management of networked sites, ensuring efficient scalability.
• Performance and Optimization Tools:
  • Knowledge of caching, CDN integration, and image optimization for enhanced performance.
  • Proficiency in debugging and performance monitoring tools such as Chrome DevTools, Sentry, or LogRocket.
• Quality Assurance and Accessibility Tools:
  • Familiarity with tools such as Lighthouse, axe, and Wave to ensure accessibility and quality assurance compliance.
  • Understanding of WCAG and ADA guidelines to create accessible digital experiences.
• SEO and Analytics:
  • Basic knowledge of SEO best practices, including schema markup and keyword optimization.
  • Experience with Google Analytics and Google Tag Manager for tracking and reporting.
• Design and Prototyping:
  • Proficiency in Figma or other design tools to accurately translate designs into web components.
  • Familiarity with design collaboration tools such as Storybook for component management.
• Familiarity with M365 platform
  • Knowledge of SharePoint Online and experience with SharePoint lists, libraries and site content architecture
  • Understanding of Power Automate as a workflow tool and Power Apps and an internal application builder to support internal business solutions
  • Understanding of M365 and SharePoint security groups, MS Teams, and leveraging out-of-the-box M365 features to support collaboration

QUALIFICATIONS

• Education:
  • Bachelor's degree in computer science, Web Development, Digital Media, or a related field, or equivalent certifications.
• Experience:
  • At least three years of experience as a Web Developer, with a primary focus on WordPress and experience in broader web technologies. Experience in higher education a plus
• Soft Skills:
  • Strong communication skills for cross-functional collaboration.
  • Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.

Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a culturally diverse environment