Front End Web Developer

Position Summary

The Front End Web Developer is responsible for building and maintaining high-quality, accessible, and performant front-end experiences for the Libraries’ web platforms. This role focuses on developing thoughtful, well-crafted interfaces using modern web technologies (HTML, CSS, and JavaScript), and applying established design patterns and frameworks, to create cohesive and user-centered experiences that support key user tasks and journeys.

Working as part of a collaborative web development team, the Front End Web Developer partners closely with colleagues to translate requirements and shared patterns into polished, usable interfaces. The role exercises strong judgment in implementation details, contributing to usability, accessibility, and consistency while working within established standards and systems.

This position contributes to the ongoing evolution of the Libraries’ front-end ecosystem, including maintaining and improving codebases, supporting sustainable and maintainable approaches to development, and evaluating tools and practices as technologies and needs evolve.

Responsibilities

Front end web development (50%)

• Collaborates with CMS, application, and server administrators to implement user interfaces, drawing upon appropriate web technologies, including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
• Works closely with colleagues in the Web Development department, Libraries Communications, and University Marketing and Communications to ensure alignment with University standards, design systems, and best practices.
• Applies strong UX judgment when implementing features, ensuring clarity, usability, accessibility, and consistency across interfaces.
• Makes thoughtful implementation decisions that balance design, technical and brand standards, and user needs.
• Develops, tests, and maintains front-end code using modern development workflows and tools, including version control (e.g., Git), local development environments, and CSS/Javascript build tools.
• Contributes to the maintainability and sustainability of codebases through clear structure, documentation, and adherence to shared standards and practices.
• Stays current with evolving web technologies, standards, and approaches, and evaluates their applicability to the Libraries’ web ecosystem.

Design and user experience (30%)

• Participates in the ongoing design and evolution of the University Libraries’ web presence, including the main website, unit sites, applications, and integrations.
• Applies and extends the University’s design system and branding guidelines in day-to-day work, ensuring consistency while adapting to meet Libraries’ use cases.
• In partnership with application support staff and other collaborators, helps coordinate and refine interfaces for enterprise systems and services, contributing to cohesive user experiences across platforms.
• Maintains awareness of evolving UX practices, accessibility considerations, and institutional design standards, and incorporates them appropriately into design and implementation work.

User interface consultation (20%)

• Provides expertise on user interface and user experience projects, including coordination of staff, communications, and reporting.
• Consults on library committees, initiatives, and projects, promoting consistency and alignment of user experience across services and platforms.

Qualifications

Required qualifications:

• BA/BS plus at least two years experience, or master’s degree.
• Demonstrated experience developing front-end web interfaces using modern web technologies, including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
• Demonstrated experience implementing responsive, accessible, and user-centered interfaces across a variety of devices and browsers.
• Working knowledge of web accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG) and experience incorporating accessibility considerations into front-end development.
• Experience translating specifications and design concepts into clean, working interfaces.
• Experience using modern development workflows and tools, such as version control (e.g., Git), local development environments, and front-end build processes.

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience working with Drupal, other content management systems (CMS), or component-based web platforms.
• Familiarity with higher education, library, or similarly complex service-oriented, non-profit environments.
• Experience working within and extending established design systems or style guidelines.
• Experience supporting or integrating with enterprise systems or large-scale web applications.
• Experience applying strong UX judgment in implementation, with attention to usability, clarity, consistency, and accessibility.
• Experience writing clean, maintainable, and well-structured code, with attention to long-term sustainability and shared standards.
• Experience collaborating with cross-functional partners, such as developers, designers, content creators, or stakeholders.
• Experience learning and applying new technologies, tools, and standards in a changing technical environment.