Front End Developer

About New America:

New America is a dynamic and innovative organization dedicated to delivering exceptional digital experiences. We specialize in creating engaging and user-friendly web applications using cutting-edge technologies. We are looking for a talented Front-End Developer to join our team and help us build beautiful, responsive, and high-performance websites using Wagtail CMS and WordPress.
Job Overview:
We are seeking a skilled Front-End Developer to join our Central Communications team during an exciting period of website redesign. The ideal candidate will have a passion for building exceptional web interfaces and a strong understanding of front-end development technologies. Your work will be crucial to our current redesign efforts and post-launch optimization. You will collaborate closely with our designers, back-end developers, and content creators to develop and maintain our websites, ensuring they are visually appealing, user-friendly, and optimized for performance.

Key Responsibilities:

• Web Development: Develop and maintain responsive and interactive web interfaces using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
• CMS Integration: Work with Wagtail CMS and WordPress to build and customize content modules, templates, and front-end components.
• UI/UX Collaboration: Collaborate with designers and data visualization developers to translate UI/UX designs into pixel-perfect web pages.
• Performance Optimization: Optimize web pages for performance, accessibility, and SEO.
• Best Practices Implementation: Implement best practices in web development, including code reviews, testing, and documentation.
• Organizational Security: Implement and maintain security best practices to protect data visualizations and website integrations, ensuring compliance with organizational security policies.
• WordPress Management: Utilize experience with WordPress to manage and integrate data visualizations within the CMS, ensuring compatibility and functionality.
• Cross-Browser Compatibility: Ensure cross-browser compatibility and resolve any front-end issues.
• Technology Trends: Stay up-to-date with the latest front-end development trends and technologies.
• Integration: Work with back-end developers to integrate front-end code with server-side logic.
• Feature Implementation: Assist in the planning and implementation of new features and functionality. Collaborating with Senior Visual Designer / Brand Lead on design implementation.

Qualifications:

• Experience: 3-5 years as a Front-End Developer or similar role with a focus on data visualization and website integration.
• Proficiency: Strong proficiency in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
• Frameworks/Libraries: Experience with front-end frameworks/libraries such as React, Angular, or Vue.js.
• WordPress Expertise: Experience with WordPress, including theme development, customization, and familiarity with WordPress security best practices. (New site to be built on WordPress, to debut Q2 2025)
• PHP and MySQL: Experience with PHP and MySQL for WordPress development.
• Responsive Design: Understanding of responsive design principles and mobile-first development.
• SEO Knowledge: Knowledge of SEO principles and best practices.
• Code Repositories: Experience with code repositories (e.g., Git).
• Security Knowledge: Understanding of web security principles and practices, including familiarity with common security vulnerabilities (e.g., XSS, CSRF, SQL Injection) and how to mitigate them.
• Compliance Awareness: Knowledge of industry standards and compliance requirements (e.g., GDPR, CCPA) related to data security and privacy.
• Security Tools: Experience with security tools and technologies, such as firewalls, encryption, and secure coding practices.
• Collaboration: Strong ability to work collaboratively with visual designers, back-end developers, content creators, and information technology teams to ensure secure and efficient website integrations.
• Problem-Solving: Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail with a proactive approach to identifying and addressing security concerns.
• Communication: Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• Fast-Paced Environment: Ability to work in a fast-paced and collaborative environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

- Familiarity with image and document management in Wagtail and WordPress.

- Understanding of accessibility standards and best practices. (e.g., A11Y and WCAG)

- Experience with performance optimization techniques for web applications.

- Familiarity of Python and Django for back-end integration. (Current CMS is Wagtail, to be sunset Q2 2025)

- Relevant security certifications, such as Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), or other relevant credentials, are a plus.

- Commitment to staying up-to-date with the latest security trends, vulnerabilities, and best practices in web development.

Compensation and Benefits:

• This is a full-time exempt position with benefits. The annual salary will be between $75,000 - 95,000 depending on experience.
• New America offers a highly competitive benefits package that includes health care, dental, and vision coverage; a generous retirement plan; paid time off; observes all federal holidays; and an office-wide closure between Christmas and New Year’s Day.
• Opportunities for professional development and growth.
• Collaborative and inclusive work environment.

Location: New America is based in Washington, DC. We offer flexible, hybrid work arrangements but candidates must be able to work on-site at least twice a week. This position is open to U.S.-based candidates only.

How to Apply:

If you are passionate about front-end development and eager to work with a talented team to create amazing digital experiences, we would love to hear from you. Please submit your resume, portfolio, and a cover letter detailing your relevant experience on our jobs portal.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

New America is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce at all levels of the organization, thereby creating a culture that allows us to better serve our mission, our employees, and our communities. We value and encourage the contributions of our employees and strive to create an environment where everyone can reach their full potential and drive outstanding results. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, gender identity or expression, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal law. This policy applies with regard to all aspects of one’s employment, including hiring, transfer, promotion, compensation, eligibility for benefits, and termination.

Originality and Transparency: At New America, we value authentic voices and intellectual property rights. All application materials, including, cover letters, writing samples, and any other submissions, must be solely your own original work. The use of AI text generation tools like ChatGPT, language models, or other artificial intelligence writing assistants is strictly prohibited for any part of your job application. Submissions found to contain AI-generated content will be immediately disqualified from consideration. Applicants have a responsibility to be fully transparent about authorship and any tools or resources utilized. We celebrate human ingenuity and want to hear your genuine thoughts and experiences.