Software Applications Developer II - WordPress & Web Development

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Job Description

About Texas A&M AgriLife

Texas A&M AgriLife is comprised of the following Texas A&M University System members:

• Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

• Texas A&M AgriLife Research

• College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University

• Texas A&M Forest Service

• Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory

As the nation's largest most comprehensive agriculture program, Texas A&M AgriLife brings together a college and four state agencies focused on agriculture and life sciences within The Texas A&M University System. With over 5,000 employees and a presence in every county across the state, Texas A&M AgriLife is uniquely positioned to improve lives, environments and the Texas economy through education, research, extension and service.

Click here to learn more about how you can be a part of AgriLife and make a difference in the world!

Position Details:

The Software Applications Developer II - WordPress & Web Development, under direction, performs complex and specialized web development functions in support of departmental digital platforms. This includes troubleshooting, analysis, research, debugging, and problem-solving across WordPress-based websites and full-stack web applications. The role supports front-end and back-end development, WordPress theme and plugin work, and accessibility compliance in collaboration with developers, designers, content managers, and project leaders.

Responsibilities:

Problem Resolution, Technical Evaluation, and Project Management (30%)

• Reviews and analyzes WordPress site documentation, code, and production results to facilitate problem resolution and identify root causes of web application issues.
• Troubleshoots and resolves complex problems in WordPress environments, including theme conflicts, plugin failures, performance issues, and accessibility defects, by reviewing code and production output to identify causes, solutions, and make appropriate referrals.
• Evaluates and follows through on web development issues and problems until resolved or escalated.
• Participates in data architecture design for web applications, including content modeling, database structure, and API integration within WordPress and custom web solutions.
• Participates in the evaluation of WordPress plugins, themes, frameworks, and web tools to determine applicability, security, and maintainability for a given project or system.
• Assists the project leader with developing work plans and time schedules for web projects, including outlining phases, identifying personnel needs, and tracking milestones for site builds and migrations.

Project Planning and Consultation (25%)

• Consults with clients and stakeholders to review project plans and schedules, communicates test results, and discusses web development problems or concerns with the project leader.

Design, Development, and Testing (25%)

• Develops and implements complex WordPress themes, custom plugins, and full-stack web applications according to established requirements and specifications.
• Develops technical specifications based on input from clients and contributes to design documents for WordPress and web projects.
• Writes complex PHP, JavaScript, HTML5, and CSS3 code for WordPress themes, plugins, and web applications, adhering to WordPress coding standards and departmental development guidelines.
• Tests complex WordPress themes, plugins, and web applications, including functional, cross-browser, responsive, and WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility testing.

Other Duties (20%)

• Authors and maintains technical documentation, developer guides, and onboarding materials for web systems.
• Provides technical support and guidance to junior staff on WordPress workflows, codebases, and quality standards.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Three (3) years of software applications development experience, with demonstrated focus on WordPress and web development, including experience building and maintaining public-facing WordPress sites using HTML, CSS, PHP, and JavaScript or related experience.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others.
• Working knowledge of HTML5, CSS3, PHP, and JavaScript for WordPress-based web development.
• Familiarity with WordPress administration, including theme customization, plugin management, and content management workflows.
• Knowledge of web accessibility standards and version control practices.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Computer Science, Web Development, or a related field.
• More than four years of WordPress or full-stack web development experience.
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines or cloud hosting platforms such as WP Engine or Pantheon.
• Experience in a research, government, or higher education web environment.

Other Requirements:

• Ability to maintain the security and integrity of critical infrastructure, which may include communications systems, computer networks and systems, cybersecurity systems, electrical grid, hazardous waste treatment system or water treatment system.
• Required to be on call, work weekends, and times outside regular business hours as warranted by business necessity.
• This role may require working outside of standard office hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, to support the demands of technology services and ensure the seamless operation of essential systems.
• This position is security sensitive.
• This position requires compliance with state and federal laws/codes and Texas A&M University System/AgriLife policies, regulations, rules and procedures.
• All tasks and job responsibilities must be performed safely without injury to self or others in compliance with System and University safety requirements
• (If applicable) This position allows alternate work location per AgriLife guidelines.

What You Need to Know

Salary: Pay Grade 69. Compensation for this position is commensurate based on the selected candidate's qualifications.

Position is based on-site in College Station, Texas.

Full-time remote work is NOT available for this position. However, partially remote work may be available, pending employee eligibility requirements are met in accordance with AgriLife Alternate Work Location Procedures.

Non-immigrant foreign nationals are prohibited by export control laws from performing the employment responsibilities associated with this position; sponsorship is NOT available.

Why Work at Texas A&M AgriLife?

When you choose to work for Texas A&M AgriLife, you become part of an organization that is an established leader in agriculture and life sciences with a wide range of capabilities to meet the needs of our statewide, national, and international constituents.

In addition, Texas A&M AgriLife offers a comprehensive benefit package including the following:

• Health, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance with Texas A&M AgriLife contributing to employee health and basic life premiums

• 12-15 days of annual paid holidays

• Up to eight hours of paid sick leave and at least eight hours of paid vacation each month

• Automatic enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas

• Employee Wellness Initiative for Texas A&M AgriLife

Applicant Instructions

A cover letter, resumé, and references are requested. You may upload these documents on the application under CV/Resume.

Applications received by Texas A&M AgriLife must either have all job application data entered or a resume attached. Failure to provide all job application data or a complete resume could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application. We encourage all applicants to upload a resume or use a LinkedIn profile to prepopulate the online application.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution's verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution's procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.