The department of University Relations at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for a Web Application Developer.

About the Opportunity

The web application developer will plan, program, configure, document, and maintain code in support of WVU's web content management system. The developer will work closely with UR Digital staff and with the guidance of the senior and lead developers to maintain the operation, availability, and performance of the CMS, and will contribute to the development of new features, enhancements, and refinements of the application.

Additionally, the web application developer will initiate and complete all phases of the development of other assigned web applications in support of WVU University Relations projects and initiatives. The developer will work closely with application owners to develop and refine requirements, program, deploy, and support the assigned applications.

The developer will monitor the usage and performance of the CMS and selected other web applications and related infrastructure to identify and implement changes proactively to ensure the continued availability and performance of those resources.

The duties of this position will require frequent communication and cooperation with UR Digital staff and with members of the extended user base of the CMS and other supported applications. The developer will provide user technical support for the CMS and selected applications and will work to inform and educate users about best practices when using these resources in accordance with WVU's established web standards.

We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:

• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year
• 18 sick days per year, and the flexibility to use that time to care for immediate family members
• WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ’s.
• Wellness programs

What You'll Do

• Contribute to the development, operation, and maintenance of WVU’s web content management system, CleanSlate, using Ruby on Rails, PostgreSQL, and other modern web technologies. Work closely with front-end developers to refine the functionality and improve performance of the website theming system used with the CMS. Work closely with the lead application developer for CleanSlate to monitor application performance, maintain the code base, develop new features, and support the operation and maintenance of the system.
• Develop web applications to support the needs of WVU University Relations projects and initiatives. Work closely with application owners to gather requirements and plan development work. Research solutions, programs applications, and implements cloud hosting resources in accordance with prevailing WVU standards and policies. Maintain and supports web applications, and provides end-user technical support, training, and documentation as necessary.
• Monitor the use and performance of web applications and cloud hosting resources. Identify potential errors and performance issues and implements changes preemptively to ensure uptime and performance of web applications and cloud hosting resources.
• Research and evaluate third-party software, applications, systems, and cloud hosting resources for potential implementation in support of WVU University Relations projects and initiatives. Provide ongoing operational support for selected third-party applications and systems.

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, software development, software engineering, management of information systems, or related field or equivalent education and experience.
• A minimum of two (2) years of experience involving:
  • Experience programming web applications.
  • Experience operating, maintaining, and supporting web applications.
  • Experience designing, configuring, and managing relational databases.
  • Experience deploying web applications using cloud-based infrastructure.
  • Experience coding websites.
  • Experience working toward shared goals as a member of a team.
  • Experience gathering requirements, planning and documenting work, and leading the development of web projects.
• Demonstrated skill programming web applications with database connectivity in Ruby, Python, PHP, or comparable language using PostgreSQL, MySQL, or a comparable relational database system.
• Experience programming with the Ruby on Rails framework and MVC design pattern, or a similar framework that implements MVC.
• Knowledge of best practices and methods to ensure web application security.
• Demonstrated skill in coding web pages using HTML, CSS, and Javascript by hand, and by utilizing command-line tools for development and dependency management.
• Experience deploying, operating, and maintaining web applications on cloud-based web hosting infrastructure.
• Knowledge of relational database design and implementation best practices, including the use of relationships, indexes, and structured query language.
• Experience using version control repositories like Bitbucket or GitHub to track changes and maintain code.
• Demonstrated ability to use command line tools including the AWS cli, Git, NPM, and linux shell commands.
• Demonstrated skill in providing end user technical support for web applications and third-party software and systems.
• Experience managing the day to day operation and maintenance of web applications and related hosting resources.
• Demonstrated skill in applying effective verbal and written communication, and the ability to document the use and maintenance of web applications and related systems.
• Ability to accept direction and feedback, and to contribute to projects and goals as a member of a team.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and coordinate effectively with co-workers, clients, and project stakeholders to identify goals and requirements, document work, respond to feedback and support the efforts of the team.

• No specific certifications required; certifications in web application development or cloud hosting architecture will be considered a plus.

At West Virginia University, we leverage our talents and resources to create a better future for our state and the world. As West Virginia's land-grant university, WVU has three campuses that touch each corner of the state. The WVU System includes 518 buildings on 15,880 acres, Extension Service offices in all 55 counties, ten experimental farms and four forests.

From the groundbreaking R1 research of our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs of WVU Potomac State in Keyser to the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley — the contributions of WVU employees directly impact the 1.8 million people of West Virginia every day, no matter their role or position.

Service, curiosity, respect, accountability, and appreciation are the core values that unite Mountaineers, inspiring one another to work tirelessly and support others as they seek to reach new heights. After all, when you're a Mountaineer, impossible is just another mountain to climb.

To learn more about West Virginia University, visit go.wvu.edu. View current career opportunities at careers.wvu.edu.

West Virginia University is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer and is the recipient of an NSF ADVANCE award for gender equity. The University values diversity among its faculty, staff, and students, and invites applications from all qualified applicants regardless of race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, nationality, genetics, disability, or Veteran status.