Web Applications Developer II - WordPress & Full Stack Web Development

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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 joining AgriLife!

Position Information

Job Summary:

The Web Applications Developer II - WordPress & Full-Stack Web Development, under direction, performs complex and specialized web development functions in support of organizational websites, web applications, and digital platforms. WordPress is a primary development platform for this position, with responsibilities also extending to custom web applications, APIs, integrations, and related web technologies.

The role supports front-end and back-end development, modern WordPress theme, plugin, and block development, application troubleshooting, testing, accessibility, and ongoing platform support. The position works collaboratively with developers, designers, content managers, project leaders, and stakeholders to develop, modernize, and maintain public-facing websites and web applications across the organization.

Responsibilities:

Problem Resolution, Technical Evaluation, and Project Management

• Reviews and analyzes web application and WordPress documentation, source code, configurations, and production results to facilitate problem resolution and identify root causes of application issues.
• Troubleshoots and resolves complex problems in WordPress and other web application environments, including theme and plugin conflicts, custom code defects, block editor issues, application errors, performance problems, integration issues, and accessibility defects.
• Evaluates and follows through on web development issues and problems until resolved or appropriately escalated.
• Participates in application and data design for web solutions, including content modeling, database structures, APIs, integrations, and application components.
• Participates in the evaluation of WordPress plugins, themes, block themes, frameworks, libraries, APIs, and other web development tools to determine applicability, security, accessibility, performance, and maintainability.
• Assists the project leader with developing work plans and schedules for website and web application projects, including outlining phases, identifying technical needs, estimating development effort, and tracking milestones for development, modernization, and migration work.

Project Planning and Consultation

• Consults with clients and stakeholders to understand project requirements and provides technical recommendations regarding WordPress capabilities, web development approaches, integrations, accessibility, and implementation options within established technical standards.
• Reviews project plans and schedules, communicates development and testing results, and discusses technical problems or concerns with project leaders and stakeholders.
• Contributes to technical specifications and design documentation based on project and stakeholder requirements.
• Collaborates with project leaders, developers, designers, and content managers throughout development, testing, deployment, and ongoing support.

Design, Development, and Testing

• Develops and implements complex WordPress websites, themes, block themes, custom blocks, plugins, and web applications according to established requirements and specifications.
• Develops front-end and back-end components for WordPress and other web applications using appropriate web technologies.
• Writes complex PHP, JavaScript, HTML5, CSS3, and related web application code in accordance with WordPress coding standards and established development guidelines.
• Applies modern WordPress development practices, including the block editor/Gutenberg, block-based development, block themes, theme.json, and Full Site Editing where appropriate.
• Develops and maintains integrations between WordPress, external APIs, data sources, databases, and other web applications as needed to support application functionality.
• Tests and remediates WordPress solutions and other web applications for functionality, cross-browser compatibility, responsive behavior, overall quality, and WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility.
• Uses version control and established development workflows to manage source code and application changes.

Other Duties

• Authors and maintains technical documentation, developer guides, application documentation, and onboarding materials for websites and web applications.
• Provides technical support and guidance to less experienced staff on WordPress development workflows, application codebases, troubleshooting, and established quality standards.
• Participates in code reviews and collaborative development activities.
• Maintains knowledge of evolving WordPress and web development technologies and applies appropriate practices to assigned work.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems, Computer Science, or closely related field, or, an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Four years of related experience.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others.
• Working knowledge of front-end and back-end web development using HTML5, CSS3, PHP, JavaScript, and related web technologies.
• Working knowledge of modern WordPress development and administration, including themes, plugins, blocks, templates, block-based site development, content management workflows, and site configuration.
• Familiarity with APIs, databases, structured data, and web application integrations.
• Knowledge of responsive web development and cross-browser compatibility.
• Knowledge of web accessibility standards and accessible development practices.
• Knowledge of version control practices and collaborative development workflows.
• Ability to analyze technical problems, evaluate potential solutions, and communicate technical information to technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Computer Science, Web Development, Information Technology, or a related field.
• More than four years of WordPress, full-stack, or web application development experience.
• Experience developing custom WordPress themes, block themes, plugins, or blocks using modern WordPress development practices, including Gutenberg, Full Site Editing, or theme.json.
• Experience developing or integrating REST APIs and third-party services.
• Experience working with relational databases or application data.
• Experience with JavaScript frameworks or modern front-end development tools.
• Experience with authentication or single sign-on integrations.
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines or automated web development and deployment workflows.
• Experience with cloud or managed web hosting platforms such as WP Engine or Pantheon.
• Experience developing accessible websites or applications conforming to WCAG standards.
• Experience in a research, government, or higher education web environment.

Other Requirements:

• Work beyond normal business hours and/or work on weekends.

What You Need to Know

Salary: Pay Grade: 70. Compensation is commensurate with the candidate’s qualifications.

Position Funding: This position is funded through grants or contracts. Continued employment is dependent upon ongoing funding and satisfactory job performance.

This position requires an on-site presence and is not fully remote. Flexible work schedules and limited partially remote work options may be available, depending on the nature of the role and employee eligibility, in accordance with AgriLife Alternate Work Location Procedures. Remote work arrangements are limited to Texas-based locations only.

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

Benefits and Leave:

• Health, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance (AgriLife contributes to premiums)

• 12-15 annual paid holidays

• Up to 8 hours/month sick leave and at least 8 hours/month vacation

• Automatic enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas

• Employee Wellness Initiative

• Access to ongoing professional development and training through Aspire, LinkedIn Learning, and internally developed programs

How to Apply

Applications must include all job application data or a complete resume. Incomplete applications may be rejected. Applicants are encouraged to upload a resume or use LinkedIn to prepopulate application fields.

Required Documents:

• CV / Resume
• Cover Letter

• List of References

• Certifications / Additional Documentation (if applicable)

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.