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Junior Developer

Ave Maria University
6 days ago
On-site
Ave Maria, Florida, United States

PRIMARY PURPOSE:

The Junior Developer is an exciting entry-level opportunity for a curious and driven technologist ready to build real things that matter. Working within our Digital Strategy team, you will contribute to the design, development, and maintenance of full-stack web applications that power our community. Whether you are crafting intuitive front-end experiences or building reliable back-end systems, you will have the support and mentorship to grow quickly while making a meaningful contribution from day one.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Front-End Development

  • Build and maintain responsive, accessible user interfaces using modern JavaScript frameworks and current industry best practices
  • Translate design mockups and wireframes into polished, functional web pages
  • Optimize front-end performance and ensure cross-browser compatibility
  • Collaborate with designers and content teams to deliver intuitive user experiences

Back-End Development

  • Develop and maintain server-side logic, APIs, and database integrations
  • Write clean, well-documented, and testable code following established standards
  • Support the design and implementation of scalable data models and application architecture
  • Troubleshoot bugs and performance issues across the full application stack

Platform & Systems Support

  • Own the maintenance and ongoing advancement of Virtuous, our constituent relationship management (CRM) platform, including integrations, customizations, and user support
  • Support and help advance additional key platforms including Jenzabar Student 1 (student information system), HubSpot (marketing and communications), and Slate (enrollment management)
  • Assist in managing and improving the university's web platforms and digital tools
  • Support integrations between internal systems, third-party services, and APIs
  • Monitor application health and respond to issues in a timely manner

Collaboration & Communication

  • Work closely with the Digital Strategy team and cross-functional partners on project planning and delivery
  • Participate in code reviews, sprint planning, and team standups
  • Document technical processes, codebases, and system configurations clearly
  • Communicate project progress and technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders

Learning & Growth

  • Stay current with emerging web technologies, frameworks, and development best practices
  • Proactively identify opportunities to improve systems, workflows, and user experiences
  • Take ownership of assigned projects while seeking feedback and guidance from senior team members

EDUCATION:

Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Web Development, Information Technology, or a related field. Equivalent experience or a strong portfolio demonstrating full-stack development skills will be considered.

EXPERIENCE:

Minimum of 0 to 2 years of web development experience. Internship, freelance, and academic project experience welcomed. Experience in a higher education or mission-driven organization is a plus.

CERTIFICATION:

N/A

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

  • Hands-on experience with modern front-end JavaScript frameworks and current web development standards
  • Familiarity with back-end development using languages such as Node.js, Python, PHP, or similar
  • Basic understanding of both relational (SQL) and non-relational (NoSQL) databases
  • Experience working with version control systems, particularly Git
  • Exposure to RESTful API design and consumption
  • Strong problem-solving mindset with a passion for learning and experimentation
  • Ability to write readable, maintainable code with attention to quality and detail
  • Comfort working in an agile or iterative development environment
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills for both technical and non-technical audiences
  • Collaborative team player who also works well independently
  • Must support the University's Catholic mission

PHYSICAL SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Requires ordinary ambulatory skills sufficient to visit other locations; the ability to stand, walk and manipulate (lift, carry, move) light weights of up to 10 pounds. Requires good hand-eye coordination, arm, hand and finger dexterity, including ability to grasp, type and perform data entry, visual acuity to use a keyboard and read technical information, ability to hear in order to answer telephones and communicate verbally, and the ability to sit for extended periods of time.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work is performed indoors in a standard office environment with minimal safety hazards, requiring seated, standing, and movement work.