Front-End Web Developer (CMS & Digital Experience)
Empire State University invites applications for the position of Front-End Web Developer within the Marketing and Creative Services team. This role is well suited for a detail-oriented professional with expertise in developing and optimizing user-facing web experiences within a content management system-driven environment.
The successful candidate will play a key role in maintaining and enhancing the university's public website utilizing the Modern Campus CMS platform. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong proficiency in front-end development, experience working within content management systems, and a commitment to accessibility standards, performance optimization, and user-centered design principles.
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop, implement, and maintain responsive, accessible, and user-friendly web pages using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript within the Modern Campus CMS.
- Build and extend reusable templates, components, and content blocks based on wireframes, mockups, and design system standards.
- Collaborate with designers, content creators, and marketing stakeholders to translate business and user needs into effective web solutions.
- Ensure consistency with university branding, design systems, and digital standards across all web properties.
- Troubleshoot and resolve front-end issues, including layout inconsistencies, cross-browser compatibility, and performance concerns.
- Optimize web pages for accessibility (WCAG 2.1), SEO, and overall usability.
- Support ongoing site improvements through audits, testing, and iterative enhancements to user experience.
- Contribute to documentation of templates, components, and CMS workflows to support scalability and governance.
- Stay current with front-end best practices, emerging technologies, and accessibility standards.
Job Requirements:
Required Qualifications:
- Associate's OR Bachelor's degree in Web Development, Computer Science, Digital Media, or a closely related field; OR an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.
- A minimum of three (3) years of professional front-end web development experience.
- Strong proficiency in HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript, including responsive design and modern layout techniques (Flexbox, Grid).
- Experience working with a content management system (Modern Campus CMS, WordPress, Drupal, or similar).
- Solid understanding of web accessibility standards (WCAG/ADA) and front-end best practices.
- Experience debugging and optimizing front-end performance across browsers and devices.
- Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain visual and brand consistency.
- Excellent communication skills and ability to collaborate across technical and non-technical teams.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with Modern Campus CMS, including templates, snippets, and assets.
- Familiarity with design tools such as Figma or Adobe Creative Suite.
- Experience working within a design system or component-based architecture.
- Basic understanding of SEO principles and analytics tools.
Special Information:
- Occasional travel may be required to fulfill department and university-wide commitments.
- Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. VISA sponsorship is not available for this position.
- SUNY Empire provides employees with robust remote and flexible work options to meet the needs of students, faculty, and staff in a dispersed work environment.
Additional Information:
Rank/Salary: Lead Programmer-Analyst, SL3 / $60,000-$65,000, dependent on experience and qualifications.
We are pleased to offer our employees an excellent benefit package which includes NYS health insurance, free dental and vision, competitive retirement options, and generous vacation, sick and holiday accruals; and a strong emphasis on work-life balance. We also offer professional-development activities for professionals and support staff.
SUNY Empire is an AA/EEO/ADA employer. The University actively seeks applications from women, veterans, individuals with a disability, members of underrepresented groups or anyone that would enrich the diversity of the University. SUNY Empire is committed to fostering a diverse community of outstanding faculty, staff, and students, as well as ensuring equal educational opportunity, employment, and access to services, programs, and activities, without regard to an individual's race, color, national origin, religion, creed, age, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, familial status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, domestic violence victim status, or criminal conviction. Employees, students, applicants, or other members of the university community (including but not limited to vendors, visitors, and guests) may not be subjected to harassment that is prohibited by law or treated adversely or retaliated against based upon a protected characteristic.
SUNY Empire provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities, veterans, or wounded warriors where appropriate. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact the Office of Human Resources at (518) 587-2100.
In accordance with the Title II Crime Awareness and Security Act, a copy of our crime statistics is available upon request by calling (518) 587-2100. It can also be viewed online at our Safety and Security website.