Webrecorder Developer

Description

APPLICATION DEADLINE: January 24, 2016 at 11:59pm EST


LOCATION: Flexible; San Francisco or New York City preferred
Rhizome seeks an experienced, dedicated developer for Webrecorder, an innovative digital
preservation project, generously supported by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. The
Webrecorder Developer will assist the Lead Developer, Ilya Kreymer, with the technical
infrastructure of a new tool to archive the dynamic web,, working specifically on the userfacing
aspects of the site (webrecorder.io), and working closely with the project's Design
Lead to implement user interface concepts. This is a full-time, salaried position with benefits.


ABOUT THE WEBRECORDER PROJECT
Webrecorder is a novel solution to the problem of archiving dynamic web content, like social
media, that is personalized for each user. Webrecorder allows users to create high-fidelity,
interactive, contextual archives of social media and other dynamic web content, which
currently lack meaningful archival methods, as they browse. It is a project of Rhizome, under
Lead Developer Ilya Kreymer and Digital Conservator Dragan Espenschied.


ABOUT RHIZOME
Rhizome is a non-profit art organization based on the internet, and an affiliate in residence
of the iconic New Museum in New York City. We have strong values and a clear mission to
support contemporary art that creates richer and more critical digital culture—online since
1996. Rhizome's digital preservation program supports social memory for internet users and
networked cultures through the creation of free and open source software tools that foster
decentralized and vernacular archives, while ensuring the growth of and continuing public
access to the Rhizome ArtBase, a collection of 2,000+ born-digital artworks.


WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR:
This is a unique opportunity for a committed self-starter to help build a new tool to protect a
fragile digital culture. As this initiative is just beginning to ramp up, the Webrecorder
Developer would join a small team and contribute to any and all aspects of development.
The Developer would work closely with the Lead Developer, UX Design Lead, and the rest of
the team to solve a variety of new problems and unsolved challenges in the field of web
archiving and digital preservation. An ideal candidate would possess a passion for making a
difference combined with strong technical expertise


REQUIREMENTS:
● A passion for building great open-source software to make a positive difference
● An interest or previous experience in digital preservation
● Strong Javascript and Python skills
● Experience implementing UI prototypes and comfort with rapid prototyping
● Previous experience in web application development, especially front-end
development
● Willingness to work with a small but geographically dispersed team
● Excellent communication skills
● Understanding of various web standards, especially related to HTTP and JavaScript
● Interest in pushing web technology to the limit for the greater good of the user
● Self-starter, and experience with and interest in working on a small team


BONUS FOR:
● A deep engagement with digital culture and emerging technologies
● The ability to lead, communicate, and work well within a team
● Previous experience with web archiving or digital preservation systems
● Experience in distributed systems
● Previous experience working with or implementing standards, such as RFC
specifications


These are general guidelines and not hard requirements; the more of these the better.
Candidates from groups generally underrepresented in technical fields are especially
encouraged to apply.