Web Designer and Developer

Make a difference at one of Florida's premier institutions for education in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Florida Polytechnic University, ranked the No. 1 public college in the region by U.S. News and World Report, offers a unique working environment that encourages faculty and staff to be part of a culture that prizes collaboration, innovation, and the willingness to go above and beyond to ensure our students and University succeed. Florida Poly offers a small campus academic environment where students form connections with their faculty and peers as they pursue high-value degrees in engineering and applied sciences. The University is equipped with cutting-edge facilities and equipment and two award-winning, architecturally distinct academic buildings. Its evolving curriculum, designed to meet the needs of industry and provide a life-long educational foundation for students, has helped the institution grow in prominence since its opening in 2014. Florida Poly's deliberately small classes, affordability, and outstanding graduate outcomes have helped it earn recognitions such as being named a top value school, in the top 25 nationally for affordability, and in the top five best universities in the South for tech students. Accredited by ABET and SACSCOC, Florida Poly is educating some of the brightest minds in Florida and attracting standout talent from across the nation. JOB TITLE Web Designer and Developer JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY Florida Polytechnic University, the state's only public university exclusively focused on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), is looking for exceptional candidates to serve as the Web Designer and Developer in the department of Strategic Communications.The Web Designer and Developer serves as the primary designer and developer for Florida Polytechnic University's web presence, leading the design, development, maintenance, optimization, and ongoing enhancement of the University's websites and digital platforms. As part of the Strategic Communications team, this position combines strong front-end web design and user experience expertise with hands-on web development capabilities to create modern, engaging, accessible, responsive, and high-performing digital experiences. Serving as a project manager for web initiatives, the position works with campus stakeholders to plan and develop new webpages and website sections, coordinate content updates, establish user roles and permissions, and train and support content contributors to ensure website information remains accurate, current, and consistent with University standards. The position has a strong emphasis on front-end design and development within WordPress and Elementor, including page design, layouts, templates, navigation, responsive and interactive experiences, SEO, and ongoing website enhancements. The role also provides back-end development and technical support, including WordPress administration, custom functionality, plugin management, APIs and third-party integrations, forms, PHP and JavaScript, troubleshooting, and website performance optimization. The position incorporates AI and emerging technologies into web design, development, optimization, and maintenance to improve efficiency, functionality, and the overall digital experience. The Web Designer and Developer also works closely with Information Technology to support hosting environments, security, system reliability, and other technical infrastructure needs. JOB DESCRIPTION RESPONSIBILITIES: Serves as the University's primary web designer and developer, responsible for the design, development, maintenance, optimization, and ongoing enhancement of University websites and digital platforms. Designs and develops responsive, accessible, user-friendly webpages, landing pages, templates, navigation, and interactive experiences using WordPress and Elementor while maintaining University brand standards. Serves as project manager for web initiatives, collaborating with departments to develop new webpages and website sections, coordinate content and technical needs, and implement effective web solutions. Manages website content, WordPress administration, user roles and permissions, content workflows, and training and support for campus content contributors. Provides back-end development and technical support, including custom functionality, plugins, forms, APIs, third-party integrations, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, troubleshooting, and performance optimization. Optimizes the website for user experience, accessibility, SEO, mobile responsiveness, performance, and search visibility, using analytics and user behavior data to guide improvements. Incorporates AI and emerging technologies into web design, development, optimization, and maintenance to improve efficiency, functionality, and the digital experience. Collaborates with Information Technology and external partners on hosting, security, integrations, system reliability, and other technical infrastructure needs. Supports the University's centralized web calendar and other web-based platforms and digital tools. Stays current with trends and best practices in web design and development, UX/UI, accessibility, SEO, AI, and digital technology. Manages additional digital communication platforms, including distribution of the weekly Phoenix newsletters and oversight of campus digital screens and displays, to support University communications, events, emergency messaging, and student engagement. Other duties as assigned. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor's degree in web development, computer science, information technology, web design, digital media, or a related field. Two years of relevant experience in web design and development, website administration, or digital platform management. Experience developing and managing websites within WordPress, including page builders such as Elementor. Relevant internships, student employment, freelance work, portfolio experience, and professional certifications may be considered as qualifying experience. In lieu of a degree, any appropriate combination of relevant education, experience, and/or certifications may be considered. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Professional web development experience in a higher education setting. Experience serving as the lead or primary administrator for an enterprise-level WordPress environment. Graphic Design experience and proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (i.e. Photoshop, Indesign, Illustrator) Experience in search engine optimization and analytics monitoring. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Advanced knowledge of WordPress and Elementor, including page and template development, responsive design, plugins, content management, user permissions, and website administration. Strong knowledge of modern web design, UX/UI, responsive design, navigation, information architecture, and user-centered design principles. Proficiency in HTML and CSS, with working knowledge of JavaScript, PHP, WordPress back-end architecture, APIs, forms, plugins, and third-party integrations. Knowledge of web accessibility standards, SEO best practices, website analytics, performance optimization, and cross-browser/mobile compatibility. Working knowledge of hosting environments, staging and production environments, website security, caching, redirects, domains, and related web infrastructure. Ability to troubleshoot front-end and back-end website functionality, performance, plugins, integrations, and other technical issues. Knowledge of AI-assisted and emerging web technologies and the ability to appropriately apply them to web design, development, optimization, and maintenance. Strong visual design, project management, organizational, problem-solving, and attention-to-detail skills. Strong communication and collaboration skills with the ability to work effectively with technical and nontechnical stakeholders and train website content contributors. Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities while maintaining brand consistency, accessibility, usability, content accuracy, and quality. REQUIRED LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, AND/OR OTHER SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS OF LAW: Must possess a valid driver's license. This position requires a criminal background check. This position is subject to federal and state privacy regulations. NORMAL WORK SCHEDULE: This position is salary exempt. The normal work schedule is Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. However, occasional overtime (weekends and evenings) may be required. TARGET HIRING SALARY: $85,000-$94,000 commensurate with experience. LOCATION/WORK MODEL: Full-time/On-site Note: Employment-based visa sponsorship will NOT be considered for this position. Application Deadline Date: The position may be open for 14 days with a minimum of 7 days; however, application reviews will begin immediately. Application Process: In addition to completing the online application, all applicants are required to upload the following as attachments to the application (preferably in PDF format): Cover Letter Resume Three (3) Professional References If any of these three items are missing, we will not consider you for the position. References will not be contacted unless you are selected as a finalist for the position. DIVERSITY STATEMENT: Florida Polytechnic University is an equal opportunity/equal access institution. It is the policy of the Board of Trustees to provide equal opportunity for employment and educational opportunities to all (including applicants for employment, employees, applicants for admission, students, and others affiliated with the University) without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnicity, sex, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status or genetic information. Employment is contingent upon eligibility to work in the US. An appointment is not final until proof is provided. FLORIDA POLY BENEFITS INFORMATION Florida Poly qualified employees have the opportunity to take advantage of a variety of health benefits (through the State of Florida) to help meet their specific needs, as well as the needs of their family. This comprehensive coverage includes flexible spending accounts, medical and life insurance, and worker's compensation. Health benefits are administered through People First, on behalf of the State of Florida, as pre-tax insurance plans. People First handles all new hire enrollments, coverage changes, premium administration, and dependent eligibility. Their Service Center is staffed Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. EST, at View phone number on click.appcast.io. RETIREMENT Florida Poly offers great options for retirement. From the required selection of a state plan to additional voluntary retirement plans, our employees have many opportunities to save and prepare for their future.Click Here for more information. OTHER BENEFITS Discounts & Perks Annual Leave To help promote work-life balance, Florida Poly provides a generous leave program, which includes paid time off and paid holidays. Qualified employees may accrue 22 days of annual leave. In addition, the University observes the holidays listed in our University Holidays policy FPU-1.008. Sick Leave Qualified employees may also accrue 12 days of annual sick leave and participate in our Sick Pool Program. Employee Assistant Program (EAP) EXPLORE LAKELAND FLORIDA Conveniently located along I-4 between Tampa and Orlando, Lakeland is home to Florida Polytechnic University and many other businesses and attractions. Click here to explore Lakeland, Florida. SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING ATTACHMENTS: Required attachments are listed on each posting. Please be sure to attach all required documents in the Resume/CV field before continuing through the application. Once your application has been submitted, no changes may be made and additional attachments will not be considered. An unofficial copy of the degree/transcript is acceptable during the application process. For positions requiring a degree, the official transcripts are required upon hire. Foreign Transcript: Transcripts issued outside of the United States require a equivalency statement from a certified transcript evaluation service verifying the degree equivalency to that of an accredited institution within the USA. This report must be attached with the application and submitted by the application deadline. All document(s) must be received on or before the closing date of the job announcements. This position requires a background check, which may include a level II screening as required by the Florida Statute*435.04. Florida Polytechnic University