As a Web Developer on the Digital Communications team, you will play a key role in enhancing Pratt Institute's online presence and digital communications strategies. Reporting to the Director of Digital Communications in Pratt’s Communications and Marketing (PCOMM) division and working closely with collaborative teams, you will be responsible for developing, maintaining, and optimizing various web-based platforms, including the official Pratt Institute website, microsites, and other digital asse... more details
As a Web Developer on the Digital Communications team, you will play a key role in enhancing Pratt Institute's online presence and digital communications strategies. Reporting to the Director of Digital Communications in Pratt’s Communications and Marketing (PCOMM) division and working closely with collaborative teams, you will be responsible for developing, maintaining, and optimizing various web-based platforms, including the official Pratt Institute website, microsites, and other digital assets.
Primary Responsibilities:
- All technical projects will support communications and marketing strategies that seek to enhance the Institute’s reputation through increased visibility of the Institute’s initiatives, audience engagement, and promotion of news, events, and accomplishments related to its programs, faculty, staff, students, and alumni. Your creativity, technical expertise, and attention to detail are essential in ensuring an engaging and seamless user experience for our diverse community.
- Assume primary technical authorship and ownership, and act as the primary developer of a variety of digital properties, including the Institute’s main website, www.pratt.edu, and associated external websites, microsites, and other digital platforms.
- Create and maintain thorough and clear documentation related to the above digital properties.
- Collaborate with the Digital Communications team and designers within PCOMM to translate design mockups and wireframes into fully functional websites and web applications.
- Develop custom web solutions and implement front-end and back-end functionalities using industry-standard technologies such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, and MySQL.
- Conduct thorough testing and debugging of web applications to ensure compatibility, accessibility, performance, and security across different browsers, devices, and operating systems.
- Perform routine WordPress maintenance on the current website to ensure core and plugins are up to date and compatible with custom coding.
- Support institutional use of third-party platforms, websites, and applications (social media, course catalog, personnel database, and job boards, for example), and develop the technical integration of said platforms within the main website.
- Stay up-to-date with emerging trends, best practices, and technologies in web development, and make recommendations for continuous improvement and optimization.
- Monitor website analytics, track key performance metrics, and generate reports to assess the effectiveness of digital communications initiatives and inform decision-making for future development priorities.
- Collaborate within a diverse team of individuals possessing a range of technical and non-technical expertise; establish and sustain effective working relationships with colleagues from varied backgrounds and display sensitivity to cross-cultural perspectives and experiences.
Education and Experience:
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Web Development, a related field, or relevant work experience.
- At least five (5) years of proven experience in web development with proficiency in HTML, CSS, PHP, JavaScript, MySQL, and responsive design principles.
- Experience developing custom code for content management systems (CMS) such as WordPress or Drupal.
- Familiarity with version control systems (e.g., GitHub) and agile development methodologies.
- Experience with web accessibility standards (WCAG) and usability testing.
- Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail, with the ability to troubleshoot and resolve technical issues efficiently.
- Effective communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively in a team environment and interact with stakeholders at all levels.
Strategic and Technical Expertise:
- Strategic thinker with a results-driven approach.
- Strong technical understanding of mobile-optimized websites, third-party platforms, and enterprise system integration.
- Experience in managing technical projects for cultural organizations or higher education.
Front-End Development
- Experienced front-end developer with strong visual sensibilities.
- Skilled in collaborating with graphic and UX/UI designers for pixel-perfect, user-centric design.
- Knowledgeable in user interaction, experience design, web accessibility, and human-centered design.
Communication and Collaboration
- Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to collaborate with colleagues at all technical levels.
Personal Attributes
- Self-motivated, efficient, and detail-oriented.
Salary and Benefits
Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience and qualifications, ranging from $84,000 to $84,000.
The position is eligible for remote work 4 days per week.
Generous Benefits:
- 403B Retirement Program
- Supplemental Retirement Account
- Tuition Benefits for Employees and Dependents
- Tuition Program
- Summer hours Exchange
- Flexible Spending Accounts - commuter, medical, dependent care
- Child Care Benefit
- Basic life and AD&D insurance provided by Pratt
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Care Coverage
About Pratt’s Communications and Marketing Division
At Pratt, we have a unique opportunity to build a collaborative communications and marketing model unlike most institutions of higher education, because our faculty and students, staff, and alumni/ae do the work of design and storytelling in everything they do. Partnering with our colleagues to promote their students and programs, to co-own the Institute’s brand, and to develop effective new communications channels makes the work of Pratt’s Communications and Marketing team so much more resonant, innovative, and supportive to the Institute. Our team of talented experts in varied media is committed to providing the robust, multi-channeled, and collaborative communications, and marketing operation our Institute deserves, reflecting the same level of creativity, design, collaboration, and problem solving that is expected from our students and faculty.
About Pratt Institute:
Pratt Institute provides the creative leaders of tomorrow the professional knowledge and experience to make a better world. A world-class and internationally ranked college with programs in art, design, architecture, liberal arts and sciences, and information studies, Pratt offers nearly 50 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
The Institute’s impact expands beyond its 25-acre residential campus in Brooklyn to cutting-edge facilities throughout the borough, a landmark building and public gallery in Manhattan, as well as an extension campus, Pratt Munson College of Art and Design in Utica, New York. On Governors Island, Pratt is a core partner on the Stony Brook University team selected to develop the New York Climate Exchange, a research and educational hub poised to establish New York City as the global leader for the most pressing issue of our time: climate change. Another extension of Pratt’s campus is the Research Yard, a 20,000-square-foot facility that brings together the research activities of Pratt Institute under one roof in the Brooklyn Navy Yard (BNY).
