Senior Web Developer - University of Pennsylvania

University Overview


The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.




Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.




The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.








Posted Job Title

Senior Web Developer





Job Profile Title

Web Designer Senior





Job Description Summary

This is a critical role with the opportunity to inform the strategic growth of the Penn Museum’s digital services. The Senior Web Developer is responsible for maintaining and enhancing the Museum’s public website, intranet, and other digital resources and supporting internal operations as well as online platforms. The position reports to the Manager of Digital Records, Archives, and Publications and advises on short- and long-term digital strategies and areas for growth and helps in infrastructure decision-making and enhancements.


Penn Museum strives to meet or exceed standards for digital accessibility, and the Senior Web Developer will support compliance for accessibility and best practices for user experience. This role works collaboratively with subject-matter experts and content creators across the Museum.


The Senior Web Developer will also work closely with IT to ensure necessary infrastructure upgrades to hardware and software components relating to servers and applications; identify standards and policy needs, create systems documentation including setup, maintenance/administration, and user tasks; and provide ad-hoc database administration.


This role will develop, document, and maintain mission-critical, database-driven resources, websites and applications, and administer systems and backup processes. Senior Web Developer is the leading member of our web team and will embody “product owner” style responsibility for our web and intranet architecture ensuring performance, stability, and security for the Museum’s web properties.





Job Description


Job Responsibilities



+ Develop, maintain, and optimize internal and external database-driven websites and web applications, prioritizing user experience, accessibility, scalability, and sustainability in collaboration with other web team members, internal stakeholders, and content creators. Follow standard documentation practices to maintain thorough records for architecture and configuration, coding, updates, and enhancements.


+ Server and systems administration for the Museum’s external websites and other digital resources, ensure security, stability, performance of the web and intranet resources; research and adapt to trends and emerging technologies; proactively address issues to ensure a seamless user experience.


+ Develop, document, and maintain web back end, including server and database administration, CMSs, databases, APIs and other integrations.


+ Support daily content updates, ensure quality control, data standardization, and accessibility.


+ Maintain and optimize website and database analytics.





Qualifications



+ Bachelor's degree in computer science or related field and 3-5 years’ experience in web development and web systems administration required.


+ Bachelor's degree in computer science or related field and 5-8 years of experience strongly preferred.


+ Successful candidates will possess strong problem-solving skills alongside the ability to think creatively through executing solutions without the benefit of a large development team.


+ Excellent collaboration skills are also essential to success in this role. We harness the expertise of our stakeholders and contents creators, editors, designers, researchers, and faculty, to develop and grow online properties.



Required Qualifications



+ Proficient in PHP, HTML, Javascript, CSS, and modern web frameworks (e.g., React, Angular, Django, or Ruby on Rails).


+ Proficiency using content management systems such as Joomla!, Drupal, and Wordpress and understanding relational databases and semantic data models.


+ Proficiency with MYSQL, Apache, SSL, Windows Server, and in developing web and database integrations with partner APIs.


+ Experience configuring and optimizing web application architecture, DNS, load balancing, web application servers, databases, CDN, as well as SEO optimization and best practices.


+ Proven track record for on-time deliverables and an ability to adapt within complex project timelines. Familiarity with project management platforms and ticket-tracking systems.


+ Strong organization and communication skills, ability to work collaboratively in teams with varied expertise (developers, designers, media and other content creators). Ability to communicate effectively with technical and non-technical collaborators.


+ Excellent documentation practices and creative problem-solving skills using code and process and/or workflow; learn quickly and master diverse web technologies as institutional needs evolve.



Preferred Qualifications



+ Experience implementing and maintaining cloud platform services like AWS.


+ Additional near-proficiency in other programming languages such as Python or Ruby.


+ Experience leading collaborative projects and PMI certification.


+ Familiarity with Apache in both Linux and Windows environment.



​Application Requirement



+ A Cover Letter and Resume/CV are required to be considered for this position. Please upload your Cover Letter where it asks you to upload your Resume/CV; multiple documents are allowed.



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Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania





Department / School

University Museum





Pay Range

$51,824.00 - $95,000.00 Annual Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, as well as internal and market factors and grade profile.










Affirmative Action Statement Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.




Special Requirements Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.




University Benefits

+ Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts : Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

+ Tuition : Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits . You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.

+ Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.

+ Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.

+ Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.

+ Wellness and Work-life Resources : Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.

+ Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.

+ University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.

+ Discounts and Special Services : From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.

+ Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.

+ Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.

+ Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.




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To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay



The University of Pennsylvania's special character is reflected in the diversity of the Penn community. We seek talented faculty and staff who will constitute a vibrant community that draws on the strength that comes with a substantive institutional commitment to diversity along dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, veteran status, interests, perspectives, and socioeconomic status. Grounded in equal opportunity, nondiscrimination, and affirmative action, Penn's robust commitment to diversity is fundamental to the University's mission of advancing knowledge, educating leaders for all sectors of society, and public service. The University of Pennsylvania prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.