Front End Developer

Description

The University of Michigan Library is seeking a talented and enthusiastic front-end developer whose primary responsibility will be the implementation and management of interfaces to the library's digital content management and presentation systems. The ideal candidate will have a passion for developing accessible interfaces to web resources, bring a clear sense of design to the job, and strong problem-solving skills.

The Interface Developer will work closely with applications developers and user experience specialists to bring improvements to accessibility and user experience to the library's major digital content systems and general web applications including the library's website, catalog, and digital collections.

The University of Michigan Library is one of the world's largest academic research libraries and serves a vibrant university community that is home to 19 schools and colleges, 100 top ten graduate programs, and annual research expenditures approaching $1.5 billion a year. To enable the university's world-changing work and to serve the public good, the library collects, preserves, and shares the scholarly and cultural record in all existing and emerging forms, and leads the reinvention of the academic research library in the digital age.

The library is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and encourages all employees to fully incorporate their diverse backgrounds, skills, and life experiences into their work and towards the fulfillment of the library's mission.

Responsibilities*
Interface Design & Implementation
- Work closely with user experience staff to create and implement complete visual designs, web-ready graphics, and style guides.
- In collaboration with application developers and content owners, build discovery and access web applications for the digital library, content management systems, the library catalog, online exhibit tools, and others to customize and enhance functionality of the sites.
- Develop responsive and/or dedicated mobile versions of web resources.

Accessibility
- Ensure that library website meets or exceeds WCAG 2.0 standards.
- Consult with other departments in Library Information Technology on accessibility issues.

Communication
- Create and maintain project documentation.
- Participate, as needed, on project committees.
- May provide advice or assistance to other library units on web accessibility issues.

Required Qualifications*
- Bachelor's degree in related field or equivalent combination of education and experience
- Extensive knowledge of HTML5, CSS, JQuery, and JavaScript.
- Demonstrated familiarity with applying WCAG 2.0 accessibility standards.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a development/implementation team in a culturally diverse work environment.
- Experience with design and implementation of application interfaces, including the use of design patterns, design standards, and universal design principles.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and the demonstrated ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
- Knowledge of current web standards and browser compatibility issues.
- Working knowledge of at least one modern programming language such as PHP or Ruby/JRuby
- Understands and values diversity and the importance of inclusion as demonstrated through a commitment to apply and incorporate the differences, complexities, and opportunities that diversity brings to an organization.

Desired Qualifications*
- Understanding of native indexing, search, and relevancy ranking technologies, such as SOLR and Blacklight.
- Experience building applications or Gems within the Hydra/Fedora/Blacklight application stack.
- Experience developing modules or themes in Drupal and/or Omeka.
- Experience with HAML, SCSS, or similar frameworks.
- Familiarity with GIT or similar versioning control systems.

Additional Information
Excellent benefits, for details, see benefits.umich.edu/

Position receives 24 days of vacation a year, and 15 days of sick leave a year with provisions for extended benefits, as well as opportunities for professional development and travel. TIAA-CREF and Fidelity Investments retirement options available.

Application Deadline
Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. This job may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

Applications will be reviewed as received throughout the posting period and continue until the position is filled.