Junior Full Stack Web Developer:
GreatNews.Life, publishers of Valpo.Life, Portage.Life, LaPorteCounty.Life, and NWI.Life, is seeking a full-time, in-office, junior web developer to join our team at the company's Valparaiso office. The ideal candidate for this position would be someone who holds a great deal of passion for web development, codes for fun, and is looking to hone their craft.
This is an entry-level position and involves working in a variety of IT situations. It requires attention to detail, the ability to balance multiple projects at once, and the flexibility to wear many hats as needed. Must have the willingness and ability to learn new things as technology continues to change and evolve.
Primary responsibilities:
- Assist in the design, development, and implementation of new features, enhancements, and content on existing WordPress websites
- Maintain and customize existing WordPress plugins along with regular updates to website frameworks and databases
- Develop, modify, and debug WordPress implementations
- Maintain PHP/SQL-based backend technology
- Assist in the discovery of technical requirements for business applications and tools that integrate with the front-end experience
- Assist in systems maintenance and tech troubleshooting
- At times, this position involves updating content and addressing emergencies outside of business hours and weekends
Minimum qualifications:
- Proven proficiency in HTML5 and CSS3
- Responsive web design skills
- Experience with a front-end JavaScript framework (jQuery, Vue.js, Svelte, React, Angular, etc.)
- Backend PHP experience or similar server-side languages
- Exposure to SQL (MySQL, MariaDB, PostgreSQL, etc.) or a non-relational DBMS (MongoDB, DynamoDB, Firebase, etc.)
- Knowledge of OOP principles
- Experience with git version control
- Ability to shift focus between multiple ongoing projects
- Effective time management skills
Preferred but not required qualifications:
- Familiarity with Python, C#, C++, Java, or similar OOP languages
- UI/UX knowledge
- Previous experience developing for WordPress
- Bootstrap 4 or experience using a similar CSS framework (Bulma, Tailwind, etc.)
- Knowledgeable in JavaScript ES6+ syntax
- Experience creating or consuming RESTful APIs
- Exposure to GraphQL
- Foundation in SOLID design principles
- Experience using a CI/CD pipeline
- Experience with unit testing
- Contribution to open-source projects
- Experience with front-end workflows and task automation
Quality of applicants:
- Adaptable to a changing environment
- Ability to find creative solutions to problems
- Ability to follow directions, think on your feet, and complete tasks in a fast-paced environment
- Quick to learn
- Considers the user experience as it relates to a piece of technology
- Passionate and enthusiastic about their work
- Ability to take constructive feedback
- An eagerness to take on a variety of tasks aiding management and growth of our sites
- Flexibility in a role that is consistently changing, ability to work on occasional nights and weekends