Digital Library Programmer

Description

Job ID: 24965
Job Title: Developer
Salary Grade: ITS  / 78

Job Summary:

The Developer develops, codes, tests, and debugs new software or enhancements to existing software.  This position typically works with senior staff, but may coordinate smaller or less complex projects independently.  This position designs and implements basic technical solutions ensuring that business needs and requirements are met.  This position performs basic system integration tasks. Provides estimation for assigned tasks.

This position will work full-time as a Digital Library Programmer in the Feinberg School of Medicine, Galter Health Sciences Library (GHSL).  The GHSL seeks an innovative, collaborative, forward-thinking, flexible, and user-focused developer to bring energy, creativity, and expertise to this position. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work on a variety of interesting projects including web development, digital repository, linked open data projects, digital displays, and will share responsibility for the functionality, accuracy, navigation, and user experience of the library's digital information services. The successful candidate will need to have a good understanding of Linux environment, databases (mainly PostgreSQL), XML, RDF, automation, integration and deployment; data modeling and management; Git and gitflow; TDD and agile; monitoring; object stores; searching and indexing (Solr); authentication and authorization concepts; Digital Asset Management Systems. The successful candidate needs to be able to program custom solutions against often poorly documented APIs. He/she is expected to work independently with minimal instruction/supervision, and be willing to learn new technologies/systems. Additionally, this position will work with the Development Team in the Center for Data Science and Informatics (CDSI), located in the NU Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute (NUCATS), including participate in team meetings, consult with the team lead on development standards and system architecture.

Specific Responsibilities:
   
Strategic Planning:

Participates in the development of new goals and strategies based on interactions with primary user.
Develops plans for software deployment on heterogeneous systems.
Collaborates with user to develop work flow and best practices.
Partners with user in designing features for technology.

Administration:

Responds to customer inquiries via phone, online, in-person, etc.
Creates and maintains code documentation.
Evaluates feature/upgrade/change requests and recommends action.
Identifies database and software performance issues, and makes adjustments.

Development:

Develops and maintains software infrastructure, via patches, bundles, releases and maintenance packs.
Codes software applications adhering to designs supporting internal business requirements or external user.
Designs databases and data structures.
Opens tickets with vendors.

Other:

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree or 2 years equivalent experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and abilities can be acquired;
2 years relevant experience;
Experience in the following infrastructures: Apache, Linux Operating System, SQL/MySQL/Postgres;
Programming experience in CSS, HTML 5, JavaScript, RubyOnRails, Shell Scripting, XML;
Analytical experience in critical thinking, data mining, data modeling, database design/ data structure, Debugging, judgment, metadata creation and management, and problem solving;
Project experience in agile environment, Code documentation, collaboration and teamwork, planning, Scrum project framework;
Software development experience;
Polyglot programming skills (Ruby; Ruby on Rails, Java; SQL; Javascript; XSLT;);
Experience working in a UNIX/Linux command-line environment;
Demonstrated ability to work independently as well as collaboratively with a diverse population of faculty/staff, students, and colleagues;
Demonstrated ability to learn new technology tools/skills;
Evidence of professional initiative and problem-solving skills;
Excellent analytic, interpersonal, time management, and organizational skills;
Excellent written and oral communication skills; demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both in person and remotely virtually using a variety of media and technologies

Preferred Qualifications:

Master in Library and Information Science or a related degree, or the equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and abilities can be acquired;
Experience working with Open Source software, including multi-platform integration;
Experience working with authentication and authorization protocols;
Demonstrated experience in application development in a research environment to preserve digital assets within a repository structure;
Experience developing digital library and information management applications;
Experience with digital library metadata standards and encoding schema (such as MODS, Dublin Core, METS, EAD, OAI-PMH);
Experience working with Application Programming Interfaces (APIs);
Experience working on a team to improve a product or process;
Strong ability to think and act strategically, and demonstrated success at bringing concepts to realization while meeting deadlines;
Experience working with a version control system (Git preferred);
Demonstrated ability to work creatively, independently, and collaboratively
As per Northwestern University policy, this position requires a criminal background check.  Successful applicants will need to submit to a criminal background check prior to employment.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes including veterans and individuals with disabilities.