IT Assistant Programmer
- Employer
- The University of Kansas
- Location
- University of Kansas Lawrence Campus
View more categoriesView less categories
- Employment Type
- Full Time
- Institution Type
- Four-Year Institution
Job Details
The position conducts prelaunch reviews, analyzes user behavior and website performance, identifies opportunities for improvement, and translates findings into actionable recommendations. The User Experience Specialist collaborates with UX designers, developers, content teams, marketing/communications, and campus partners to improve the accessibility, usability, organization, consistency, and effectiveness of KU’s digital experiences.
If you are looking for a rewarding and dynamic career, look no farther than the University of Kansas. In addition to a competitive salary, KU offers great benefits to employees with up to 176 hours of paid vacation per year, 96 hours of sick leave earned per year, 10 paid holidays plus one discretionary day, a great retirement program, medical and dental insurance, life and disability insurance, other benefit plan options and state of Kansas discounts offered by various vendors. KU also offers employees educational opportunities for employees. KU is a great place to work!
KU does not provide H-1B sponsorship for this position.Job Description30% - Prelaunch Website Reviews
- Conduct prelaunch UX/QA reviews of Sunflower CMS and other KU websites using established standards for accessibility, content, information architecture, branding, and SEO.
- Document findings, track remediation, and validate corrections prior to launch.
- Maintain and improve review checklists, templates, and procedures.
- Collaborate with KU IT and campus partners to support launch readiness and risk mitigation.
- Use tools such as Google Analytics 4, Microsoft Clarity, and DubBot to analyze website performance and user behavior.
- Develop reports and dashboards and translate analytics findings into actionable recommendations.
- Conduct SEO and website quality audits and identify opportunities for improvement.
- Support emerging practices in Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) and AI Optimization (AIO), including structured content and metadata.
- Partner with UX, development, and content teams to implement and evaluate improvements.
- Consult with campus partners to improve the usability, accessibility, organization, and consistency of websites and digital experiences.
- Apply UX, content, information architecture, branding, and SEO best practices to recommend improvements.
- Assist with usability research, governance, documentation, training, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Participate in KU IT standards and cross-functional committees as assigned.
- High School Diploma/ GED and four years of relevant professional experience or an Associate’s degree and two years of relevant professional experience or a Bachelor’s degree.
- At least one year of experience applying website accessibility concepts or standards, such as WCAG as shown in application materials.
- At least six months of professional experience performing UX/UI-related tasks as shown in application materials.
- Experience communicating technical findings and recommendations to technical and non-technical audiences, demonstrated through application materials or a writing sample.
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Informatics, Information Technology, Digital Media, Human-Computer Interaction, Marketing Analytics, Interaction Design, User Experience, User Interface, or a related field.
- Experience with Google Analytics 4, Microsoft Clarity, DubBot, or similar analytics and website quality tools.
- Experience conducting website QA or UX reviews using established standards or checklists.
- Knowledge of SEO practices, including metadata, content structure, internal linking, and indexing.
- Experience with GEO/AIO concepts and structured content, including schema.org and JSON-LD.
- Experience with a CMS, preferably Drupal, and basic HTML/CSS.
- Experience with accessibility testing tools and document accessibility.
- Knowledge of UX research methods and analytics-based experimentation.
- Experience supporting higher education websites or collaborating with marketing/communications teams.
In addition to the online application, the following documents are required to be considered for this position:
- Cover letter describing how you meet the required and preferred qualifications
- Resume
- List of three (3) professional references
Contact Information to Applicants
Johnathan Grant
Johnathan.Grant@ku.edu
Organization
Working at the University of Kansas
Join the University of Kansas, and you’ll become part of a Jayhawk family that spans the globe. Wear your KU shirt in London, Istanbul, Buenos Aires, Nairobi or anywhere else, and you will likely hear a resounding “Rock Chalk!” from a stranger. Of course, the appropriate response is an enthusiastic “Jayhawk!” Because, after all, they’re not really strangers, they’re family.
The Jayhawk community is united by more than 150 years of tradition and by our commitment to pushing the boundaries of knowledge, transforming the academic experience, and creating solutions through innovative research. KU’s mission is to lift students and society by educating leaders, building healthy communities and making discoveries that change the world.
The University of Kansas is the state’s flagship university and one of just 66 invited members of the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU). We consistently earn high rankings for academics and recognition as a premier research university.
KU faculty and staff embrace our role as the state’s flagship university, AAU member and R1 institution that serves the state, nation and world. We celebrate the energy and compassion that infuse the Jayhawk spirit; and, we remain true to KU’s historic values: the elevating force of education, the transformative power of research and the healing power of service.
Instruction
KU offers a broad array of undergraduate and graduate study programs, and we fulfill our mission through academic and research programs of international distinction, coupled with outstanding libraries, teaching museums and information technology. These resources enrich the academic experience for students from all 50 states and 112 countries, and provide enrichment resources for KU faculty and staff.
Research
The university attains high levels of research productivity and recognizes that faculty are part of a network of scholars and academicians that shape a discipline as well as teach it. KU staff are integral to our research success, participating in and supporting discoveries that expand knowledge and improve lives.
Service
The university and our employees serve society through research, teaching and the preservation and dissemination of knowledge. KU's academic programs, arts facilities and public programs provide cultural enrichment opportunities for the larger community. And, KU offers educational, research and service programs throughout the state. KU employees are encouraged to participate in and serve the campus and surrounding communities in a way that is meaningful to them.
International Dimension
KU offers more than 100 programs of international study and cooperative research for KU students and faculty at sites around the world. The university offers teaching and research that draw upon and contribute to the most advanced developments throughout the United States and abroad. At the same time, KU's extensive international ties support economic development in Kansas.
Values
The University of Kansas, our students and employees are committed to excellence. We foster a multicultural, inclusive environment in which the dignity and rights of individuals are respected. Intellectual diversity, integrity and disciplined inquiry in the search for knowledge are of paramount importance.
Our City and State
KU sits atop Mt. Oread in the center of Lawrence, a town full of natural beauty and culture. In fact, Rolling Stone magazine named Lawrence one of the best college towns in the United States. Lawrence is home to more than 100,000 people, and has a charming, Midwestern friendliness that welcomes visitors and celebrates diversity. In addition to KU, Lawrence is home to Haskell Indian Nations University, the premiere tribal university in the United States.
Lawrence’s historic and thriving downtown features restaurants, nightlife and local shops offering unique finds that you won’t find anywhere else. The town has more than 50 parks, an encompassing mixed-use trail, and quick access to biking/hiking trails along the Kansas River and around Clinton Lake. A five-minute drive from Lawrence, Clinton Lake offers fishing, boating, beaches, camping and other outdoor activities.
Located just 40 minutes west of Kansas City, Lawrence offers the appeal of a mid-size, suburban town with quick access to the amenities of a large city, including an international airport. The Kansas City metro area is home to world-class museums and cultural activities, Jazz clubs and other nightlife venues, expansive shopping options, and exciting professional sports with the Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals and Sporting KC.
Kansas is in the center of the country, making it convenient and cost effective to fly or drive to destinations throughout the United States. Far from flat, the Flint Hills, just 90 minutes from Lawrence, offer panoramic vistas that showcase the breathtaking beauty of America.
Making KU Your Home
Something about Lawrence is magnetic. Long-time residents are never surprised when a KU student or employee from out of state decides to make Lawrence their permanent home. And, even those who do leave often find themselves returning to “the nest” at some point in the future. In fact, Lawrence has been named by several publications as one of the best places to retire.
At the University of Kansas, you’ll join a global Jayhawk family and find a place to call home.
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