1+ months

WEB COMPUTING SPECIALIST

University of Washington
Seattle, WA 98104

WEB COMPUTING SPECIALIST

Req #: 218254
Department: COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Job Location: Seattle Campus
Posting Date: 03/21/2023 
Closing Info: Open Until Filled 
Salary: $6,470 - $7,349 per month 
Other Compensation:  
Shift: First Shift 
Benefits: As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For a complete description of our benefits for this position, please visit our website, click here.  

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.


POSITION PURPOSE
The Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering (ECE) has an outstanding opportunity for a Web Computing Specialist. This position will engage directly with Electrical & Computer Engineering faculty, staff, and students, and will serve as the architect of web systems and server design. This position is complex and demanding, as it manages a vast range of activities and processes that have wide reaching impact for the University. It requires being able to make complex decisions that impact systems, staff, students, and faculty in influencing the ECE Department Brand. With minimal supervision, this person provides essential information services, including programmatic maintenance of departmental and research web computing resources. This person will also serve as a liaison between the department and outside vendors and contractors on web-related matters.

This position will demonstrate professional competence in computer systems and network programming, independently perform work assignments, and devise methods and processes to meet new and unique work requirements and problems. They will have substantial responsibility in (1) Applying systems analysis techniques and procedures including consulting with users to determine hardware, software, or system functional specifications; (2) Designing, developing, documenting, analyzing, creating, testing, or modifying computer systems or programs, including prototypes based on and related to user or system design specifications; (3) Designing, documenting, testing, creating, or modifying computer programs related to machine operating systems.

Technical Web Support and Systems Development (70%):
This position will be an active part of web development responsible for designing, developing and deploying new features for internal and public facing websites. Development functions will be performed in partnership with many different department stakeholders (e.g., the PR team when working on the public-facing website). This position must be able to manage many concurrent activities and projects and rely upon excellent interpersonal skills to ensure initiatives are completed in a quality manner and within the specified timeframe. These duties traditionally represent the bulk of the daily work.

Server Administration (20%):
Monitoring the performance of the server environment and taking appropriate action. Design and implement physical and virtual servers. Additionally, the individual in this role will perform and verify that offsite backup of department-critical data is being performed in collaboration with other members of the computing team.
The Web Computing Specialist also serves as a backup, as necessary, for tasks typically managed by the departments Unix system administrator(s).

Administrative Tasks (10%):
Web technology is a rapidly changing field which requires a strong commitment to maintaining current skills. In addition to subscribing to a philosophy of personal enrichment, the Web Computing Specialist has a responsibility to help the ECE Department team stay current via presentations and knowledge sharing in team meetings, design reviews, and quarterly staff meetings. This position supports systems used by both internal and external customers of the ECE Department and, as such, impacts the visibility of our department and the conversion from web site viewers to registered students. Unmanaged or poorly designed features will degrade the performance and utility of our various websites.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Design, Development, and System Administration
Develop and maintain web systems using various web client and server technologies including WordPress, HTML, XML, CGI, Perl, PHP, CSS, JavaScript and MariaDB running on or interacting with Apache web server. Programming and providing expert advice and training to faculty, staff, and students of the ECE department.
WordPress theme development, configuration, management, site setup and customization
Coordination of all web content/materials updates; and technical assistance regarding the design of new sites for department events, courses and research projects.
Establish and maintain secure sites and directories for restricted internal information access.
Develop scripts for web-based forms, using both client-side and server-side technologies such as JavaScript (with and without frameworks e.g., jquery, quill.js), Perl, PHP, and shell scripts (e.g., bash, zsh).
Design, develop, and administer database-backed web systems for multiple groups and users.
Communicate regularly with ECE faculty and staff regarding website designs and content to assist groups within the department keep their online information updated.
Coordinate input to the web server from multiple organizational units including computing services, fiscal services, advising, teaching faculty and teaching assistants, as well as from the College of Engineering.
Recommend and implement updates to hardware, software, operating system and security patches to the web server.
Ensure that the web services are run under best practices on security, and train faculty, staff and students on it.
Assist teaching assistants with the production, maintenance and secure environment of web-based course materials.
Provide web design and development assistance to the department faculty, staff and students.
Keep up with technology fronts and be able to train and work with users on Windows, Mac, and UNIX environments.

Support Internal Websites, External Websites, and Web Applications
Contact system users to understand any reported issues or concerns with existing web pages.
Determine whether the reported issues are a defect or a request for change.
Provide access sign-on, onboarding, and training to all newly hired staff and faculty.
Design and implement appropriate fixes following established design/build standards and procedures.

Other Web duties
Help manage the departments web-based calendars, including events, web-based scheduling tools for conference rooms, reserving classrooms and shared computing and multimedia equipment.
Manage and coordinate web audio and video streaming projects for departmental seminars, conference and functions.
Help design, alter and convert graphics files and text documents for inclusion in web pages and printed departmental publications.
Work as assigned to implement desired operational improvements based on project planning provided by department faculty, department administrator, and the ECE department chair.
Develop both web based and hands-on training programs to assist faculty, staff and students with web-based programs and utilities.

General IT Computing duties
Troubleshoot daily IT problems with faculty and staff using the ticketing system.
Act as a liaison between clients and other departments, vendors, and support groups.
Advise clients about specific hardware and software purchases.
Order hardware and software through UW (University of Washington) purchasing and outside vendors.
All duties must be performed in accordance with rules and policies of the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, the College of Engineering, and the University of Washington.
Other duties as assigned


MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Bachelors Degree in journalism or communications.
Minimum of 4 years in a communication or writing role OR 5 years of experience producing original and compelling content for online vehicles.

Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.


ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS 
Proven experience with Content Management System (CMS) technology, particularly WordPress
Experience building and customizing WordPress themes (including child theming)
Experience writing PHP scripts
Experience writing web pages using HTML, Javascript, CSS
Experience with Apache access controls (e.g. .htaccess rules)
Experience creating content for various audiences, including students, donors, academics
Experience working with diverse stakeholders to create cohesive content
Multicultural sensitivity and commitment to promoting diversity
Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills
Ability and flexibility to work independently in a team environment, juggling multiple responsibilities under pressure and while maintaining grace and humor
Enthusiasm for working with students, staff, and faculty from diverse backgrounds
Strong problem-solving and organizational skills

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Expertise with Adobe Creative Suite
Experience with Perl
Experience with Drupal
Graphic design experience
Experience using Google Analytics or other communication analytics tools
Professional demeanor. Strong time management and organizational skills while on tight deadlines and working on multiple projects simultaneously.
Excellent listening, verbal, and written communication skills.
Experience writing, implementing, and improving content strategies.
Experienced in content development with a proven ability to write engaging stories and copy.
Experience copy editing to ensure it meets channel needs and editorial standards.
Adept at generating ideas and solving problems.


Application Process:   The application process may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process.  These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select Apply to this position. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your My Jobs page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.

Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, the University of Washington will honor your experiences, perspectives and unique identity. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming.

The University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or dso@uw.edu.

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.

COVID-19 VACCINATION REQUIREMENT

Employees of the University of Washington are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 unless a medical or religious exemption is approved. Being fully vaccinated means that an individual is at least two weeks past their final dose of an authorized COVID-19 vaccine regimen. As a condition of employment, newly hired employees will be required to provide proof of their COVID-19 vaccination. View the Final candidate guide to COVID-19 vaccination requirement webpage for information about the medical or religious exemption process for final candidates.


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Posted: 2023-02-07 Expires: 2023-04-23

University of Washington

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WEB COMPUTING SPECIALIST

University of Washington
Seattle, WA 98104
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