Web Applications Developers (three positions available)
The University Libraries are expanding our programs of digital library development and services provided to the campus and the broader user community. We are seeking innovative, talented and productive technologists to join us in this effort. Up to three web applications developer positions will be appointed in the Digital Library Development Lab (https://wiki.lib.umn.edu/IT/DigitalLibraryDevelopmentLab) to contribute to the implementation enhancement, and integration of new and existing systems.
Project teams that successful candidates may join include, but are not limited to, the Libraries' enterprise portal integration, the University Digital Conservancy, development of virtual communities, UThink blog system, digital media repository and discovery tools, personal information management tools integration, and the large-scale implementation of the Drupal web content management system. In addition to these systems, the Libraries' strong base of installed systems include Aleph, Primo, SFX link resolving, MetaLib metasearch, and LibData, all which provide numerous integration opportunities. Additionally, the Libraries have a strong collaborative relationship with campus computing leadership and operations upon which to build collaborative services.
Positions to be filled are full-time, 12-month appointments, and report to the Director of the Digital Library Development Lab. Specific project assignments will be made based on appointees' specific skills and experience.
Environment
The University of Minnesota (http://www1.umn.edu/twincities/) is located in the center of the beautiful Twin Cities metropolitan area. The Twin Cities are known for their cultural amenities, such as the Guthrie Theater and Walker Art Center, and for their extensive park and recreational systems. The University of Minnesota Libraries, a vibrant system of libraries on the Twin Cities campus, provide collections and services in support of the University's mission and programs in 14 separate facilities. The Libraries are an integral part of the campus life and a significant collaborator within the state, national, and international research library communities.
Positioned within the Libraries' Information Technology Division, the Digital Library Development Lab develops and supports the architecture, tools, and interfaces that integrate information resources and services into the University's digital library, and educational and research environments. The Lab aspires to deliver an overall information environment that significantly advances end-user resource discovery, retrieval, and use of information through systems that seamlessly integrates content, services, and tools. The Digital Collections unit, which is an integral part of the Lab, is responsible for the production and presentation of digital formats of research and scholarly material from the Libraries' collections and from across the University. As a growing department, the Lab currently consists of 10 FTE, which includes web applications developers, a web services coordinator, an interface/web designer, digital asset production team, graduate assistants, and management. The Lab works in collaboration with the other departments in the Libraries' Information Technology Division - Central Operations (server and network systems), Libraries Enterprise Operations, Computer Support (desktop), and Health Sciences Systems departments - and other units in the Libraries and at the University.
Responsibilities
The successful candidate will hold or share responsibilities for projects currently in planning, development, or in implementation. While specific assignments will depend on the candidate's experience and areas of expertise, general responsibilities will include:
- Requirements analysis and planning -- interpreting needs and proposing technical architecture and solutions for projects involving web application creation, enhancement, and integration;
- Applications and database development -- designing, developing, and maintaining various digital content repositories and their related business processes;
- Integration development - building data and workflow integrations between library systems and external systems, including campus systems that support teaching, learning, and research, as well as discovery and repository systems in the global environment;
- Collaboration -developing and implementing solutions with other Libraries and University staff, as needed;
- Troubleshooting - analyzing and resolving problems within expected timeframes;
- Documentation - creating and maintaining appropriate documentation and records; and
- Professional development - keeping current of relevant technologies, research, trends, and projects, and applying this knowledge to Lab project work.
Qualifications
Required:
- B.A. or B.S., preferably in computer science or a related field.
- Experience with Unix-type operating systems, preferably Linux
- Experience with Apache web servers, TCP/IP/HTTP protocols, and sites secured by SSL certificates
- Two or more years of programming experience, including with C or C-like programming languages (e.g., Java) and/or server-side scripting languages (e.g., Perl or PHP)
- Experience with web-enabled relational database applications (Oracle, MySQL, and/or PostgreSQL), including database modeling, implementation, security, and maintenance
- Ability to analyze requirements and apply appropriate architectures, programming languages and tools for application development
- Experience with troubleshooting and problem resolution, planning and time management, and creating and maintaining documentation
- Effective interpersonal and communication skills, with both technical and non-technical staff
- Ability to work proactively, independently and as part of a project team
- Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities
Preferred (note: these desired qualifications seek to elicit what extra background and skills applicants might bring to the positions to be filled):
- Advanced degree in computer science, M.I.S., information science, or related field
- Experience with XML technologies and specifications (XML Schema, XSL, XPath, XQuery, XSLT, SOAP, RSS)
- Experience with search engine technologies (e.g., Apache Lucene, Solr, Nutch)
- Experience with programming within the Drupal or other similar web content management system environments
- Experience with the Adobe Flex development framework
- Experience working in a multi-disciplinary collaborative development environment
Salary and Benefits
This is a full-time, 12-month information technology professional position in the professional academic classification. The Libraries offers a competitive salary, commensurate with experience. Excellent benefits.
TO APPLY: Review of applications begins immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Submit a letter of application, resume, and the names, addresses, telephone numbers and e-mail addresses of three current professional references at https://employment.umn.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind=69558. Please identify the cover letter with UL239.
The University of Minnesota is an Equal Opportunity Educator and Employer.