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IT Technical Specialist III - Manager, Office for Research & Economic Development – Web Strat...

Employer
The University of Alabama
Location
Tuscaloosa, AL

Job Details

Pay Grade/Pay Range: Based on Qualifications

Department/Organization: 704101 - Sr Assoc VP for Res & Econ Dev

Normal Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am to 4:45pm

Note to Applicants: To best execute its mission, the Office for Research & Economic Development (ORED) prefers that all ORED employees work on the campus of The University of Alabama. However, ORED will consider, on a case by case basis, remote work for an employee if such work makes strong business sense for ORED based on the scope of work and expectations for that employee. Prior to any remote work, the employee and their direct supervisor(s) and the Vice President will execute a remote work agreement.

Job Summary: The IT Technical Specialist III performs advanced professional IT activities for a specialized, complex assignment or functional area requiring application of an advanced professional knowledge of IT principles, practices, and procedures. Requires evaluation, originality or ingenuity. May supervise and/or direct the work of project teams or other lower level staff.

Additional Department Summary: In June 2019, the Office for Research & Economic Development (ORED) launched a five-year strategic plan (2019-2024) for research at The University of Alabama (UA). The plan – emanating from UA’s goal to, “increase the University’s productivity and innovation in research, scholarship, and creative activities that impact economic and societal development,” – focuses on six strategic themes: (1) Research Environment, (2) Alabama Research Institutes, (3) Transformative Initiatives, (4) Translating Intellectual Property, (5) Economic and Business Engagement, and (6) Assessing Progress and Impact. The overarching goals of ORED’s plan are to double the research enterprise in five years and become one of the premier comprehensive research institutions in the southeastern United States. UA’s research enterprise has been surging higher for eight consecutive years. For the five-year period from 2014 to 2018, total sponsored awards grew by 85%. In the last three fiscal years (2019-2021), total sponsored awards increased by another 72%. This growth rate strengthens UA’s position as one of the fastest growing research institutions in the nation.

Also in June 2019, UA’s Economic Development Council, chaired by the Vice President for Research & Economic Development, announced the five-year economic development priorities and strategic goals for UA (2019-2024). Originating directly from UA’s mission, vision and strategic plan, the economic development priorities and strategic goals focus on four priority themes: (1) Provide Economic Development Services, (2) Prepare Current and Future Workforce and Retain Talent in the State, (3) Start, Recruit and Partner with Companies, and (4) Measure and Evaluate the Overall Impact of UA on the Statewide Economy. UA economic development assets received a significant increase in external award funding in fiscal year 2020 compared to fiscal year 2019. In fiscal year 2020, economic development assets received $14,309,098, which is 8.50% of UA’s total external sponsored awards, compared to $8,408,128 and 6.35% of total in FY 2019. UA continued to have significant and growing economic impact on the state of Alabama with every $1 invested by the state returning $17.51 in economic impact, totaling almost $3 billion and providing 13,823 jobs.

ORED is at the helm of this unprecedented research and economic development growth and now seeks a Manager for ORED Web Strategy up to the challenge of serving as a critical member of the ORED team. In close alignment and collaboration with the Manager for ORED Marketing & Communications, members of ORED’s team and with the University’s Division of Strategic Communications, the Manager will drive ORED’s web presence, with a focus on user experiences, content management and development, design, and the effective use of analytics and search engine optimization.

The primary responsibilities for the Manager will be: Developing, implementing and supporting websites for ORED, including the premier, signature research institutes – Alabama Life Research Institute, Alabama Transportation Institute and Alabama Water Institute, Alabama Cyber Institute, and Alabama Analytical Research Center. Developing back- and front-end code. Building and managing databases. Creating forms and web applications. Establishing and executing processes and workflows that lead to optimal experiences for end users. Writing code and building websites within UA’s institutional framework and contributing back to the framework by building new features and making fixes. Building and supporting web templates in the institutional content management system (CMS). Testing and maintaining dynamic websites in development and production environments.

Required Department Minimum Qualifications: Master's degree; OR Bachelor's degree and two (2) years of IT and/or web design/development experience; OR Associate’s degree and four (4) years of IT and/or web design/development experience; OR High School Diploma or GED and six (6) years of IT and/or web design/development experience. Must list experience, coursework, and/or certification in designing and/or building websites (student experience will be considered).

Skills and Knowledge: Proficiency in HTML, CSS, PHP, Javascript (jQuery, ECMAScript 6), CMS development, database management and web security. Experience in responsive web design and standards-based web design practices. Experience and familiarity working with one or more of the following: accessibility (WCAG 2.0 AA), forms development, graphic design, Photoshop or other image editing software, and other web development languages or technologies. Eagerness to work in a team atmosphere. Extensive interpersonal and communication skills. Effective capacity for time management. Ability to demonstrate tact, versatility, cooperation and adaptability. High degree of self-motivation and initiative.

Preferred Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in computer science, management information systems, communications, graphic design/art, or closely related technology degree and at least 2 years of experience in web development. Experience building and managing websites in a content management system (CMS) such as WordPress. Experience building webpages that meet technology accessibility standards established by Sections 503 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. Fluency in PHP-based frameworks or proficiency in other web programming languages. Experience with React.js, vue.js, and/or angular.js. Experience in developing WordPress themes and plugins.

Background Investigation Statement: Prior to hiring, the final candidate(s) must successfully pass a pre-employment background investigation and information obtained from social media and other internet sources. A prior conviction reported as a result of the background investigation DOES NOT automatically disqualify a candidate from consideration for this position. A candidate with a prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags will receive an individualized review of the prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags before a hiring decision is made.

Equal Employment Opportunity: The University of Alabama is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment or volunteer status without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, age, genetic or family medical history information, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected basis, and will not be discriminated against because of their protected status. Applicants and employees of this institution are protected under Federal law from discrimination on several bases. Follow the link below to find out more. "EEO is the Law" Poster

Organization

The University of Alabama embodies an academic community that demands excellence in teaching, research and service and provides an inclusive, nurturing environment for the discovery of knowledge and the development of well-rounded leaders. Founded in 1831 as Alabama's first public college and known as the Capstone of Higher Education, UA provides a premier undergraduate and graduate education built upon global engagement, high-quality scholarship, outstanding teaching, and diversity and inclusivity throughout the community.

Our Mission

The University of Alabama will advance the intellectual and social condition of the people of the state, the nation and the world through the creation, translation and dissemination of knowledge with an emphasis on quality programs in the areas of teaching, research and service.

Our Vision

The University of Alabama will be known as the university of choice for the best and brightest students in Alabama, and all students who seek exceptional educational opportunities. The University of Alabama will be a student-centered research university and an academic community united in its commitment to enhance the quality of life for all Alabamians and the citizens of the nation and the world.

Our Core Values

The University of Alabama is committed to:

  • Undergraduate education that produces socially-conscious, ethical and well-rounded leaders who are grounded in their subject matter and capable of controlling their own destinies.
  • Graduate education that is deeply vested in subject matter knowledge, professional content, research skills and creative activity.
  • Public outreach and service that is held in the highest regard and fosters impactful public engagement to enhance the quality of life for the citizens of Alabama, the nation and the world.
  • Campus life that embodies collaboration, collegiality, respect and a culture of inclusivity.

Our Strategic Goals

  • Provide a premier undergraduate and graduate education that offers a global perspective and is characterized by outstanding teaching, high-quality scholarship and distinctive curricular and co-curricular programs. Increase the University’s productivity and innovation in research, scholarship and creative activities that impact economic and societal development.
  • Enrich our learning and work environment by providing an accepting, inclusive community that attracts and supports a diverse faculty, staff and student body.
  • Provide opportunities and resources that facilitate work-life balance and enhance the recruitment and retention of outstanding faculty and staff.

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