Athabasca University Professional Position Description Section I Position Information Update Only Classification Review

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1 Athabasca University Professional Position Description Section I Position Information Update Only Classification Review Position Title Position # Department Classification Level Reports to Effective Date Position Summary Briefly describe the main purpose(s) of the position Student and Academic Services Web Developer OVPA Student and Academic Services Web Coordinator Reporting to the Student and Academic Services Web Coordinator, this position is responsible for ongoing evaluation, development, and maintenance of Student Service, Academic Centre and Academic bibliographical web pages, websites and online resources. This position reviews Academic and Student Service web resources, develops an analysis of the resources, makes recommendations regarding changes/enhancements to the resource and then works with the content owners to update or create a new resource that comply with AU guidelines and WC3 accessibility and usability standards. The incumbent is actively involved with all AU units, will correlate information from a wide range of sources into a coherent whole, and ensure the consistency of information between Athabasca University s web and print media. The Student and Academic Services Web Developer works closely with the Student and Academic Services Web Coordinator to develop and promote a professional visual identity and editorial quality standard for various web-based materials produced for internal and external stakeholders (non course-related materials). Duties and Responsibilities Organize by key responsibility area and include % of time spent where possible This position requires a broad range of technical expertise, intermediate analytical skills and excellent interpersonal skills. Familiarity of ITIL v.3 is also an asset. Reporting to, and working with, the Student and Academic Services Web Coordinator, the Student and Academic Services Web Developer: Works with Student Service and Academic units to develop or maintain web pages, websites and web

2 resources in compliance with current best practices, and, wherever possible, to accommodate anticipated future needs. Development 70% 1. Follows unit procedure for the application of project management methodology to evaluation, development or maintenance projects. 2. Creates enhancements and modifications to web pages, websites and other online resources; organizes and maintains the sites. 3. Performs maintenance on Student Service and Academic web sites. Ensures that links are up to date; updates information on pages and databases so that content is current. 4. Programs HTML, XHTML, PHP, JavaScript and XML pages according to AU standards and uploads the pages to web server. 5. Creates mysql databases and administers the databases. 6. Ensures that websites are accessible from all commonly used browsers. 7. Produces a consistent visual image on the websites including maintenance of templates and image archives. 8. Responds to web designer mail; provides and analyzes traffic statistics and reports. 9. Develops, researches, writes/edits and creates layout for new sections/features. 10. Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned. 11. Ensures web pages are designed/optimized for print output and conform to institutional identity standards. 12. Assesses new standards, technologies and trends, and formulates strategies and plans for future enhancement of web resources. 13. Expand technical skills as required. 14. Negotiates solutions to conflicting priorities.

3 Evaluation and Strategic Planning 25% 15. Evaluates existing Student Service or Academic web resources and formulates plans for enhancement or replacement of the resources based on established best practices, usability testing, anticipated future needs, and approved recommendations from the WCET report. 16. Identifies gaps in the University s Academic and Student Services website information. 17. Monitors website problems and user concerns; and works with IT staff to ensure timely resolution of issues. 18. Researches and recommends web communication solutions and standards for content, design, and navigation. Implements solutions in consultation with the Student and Academic Services Web Coordinator to ensure adherence to institutional identity standards. 19. Write applicable project management documents. 20. Participate in the evaluation of institutional systems as required. 21. Plan, execute and analyse the results of evaluation methods such as needs analysis, content user/owner feedback, usability testing, etc. Supervision 5% 22. May perform occasional supervision of web developers in other departments. 23. Performs occasional supervision of students and contract workers. 24. Provides training, resources and advice to staff designated to update specific web pages for their departments.

4 Classification Factors Communication A large component of communication for this position will be to interpret information to resolve problems. However, in serving on design teams, the incumbent must also be able to persuade and counsel team members regarding appropriate solutions to problems and get the cooperation required to reach project objectives. Strong client-relations skills are essential to this position including: vendor liaison, presentation techniques, working with senior management, writing proposals, reports, and policies as required. The incumbent must be able to communicate effectively with staff of all levels to negotiate solutions to problems of conflicting priorities and/or preferences and be able to judge when the situation requires escalation to the attention of the Student and Academic Services Web Coordinator. The position requires the ability to work as part of a team, be persuasive, discrete and diplomatic. A strong understanding of AU s culture is required as is the ability to identify motivational points in others. Supervision Impact of Service or Product Acts as a resource/advisor for other web editors and may be required to supervise work experience students, or contract workers. There may occasionally be a requirement to supervise other AU web editors. The Student and Academic Services Web Designers create, maintain or upgrade systems accessed by AU staff, students, potential students and the general public. Decisions made during the design and implementation process can potentially impact the work of staff in all AU departments. The position has the potential to positively or negatively impact the educational experiences of our students and AU s reputation as a quality provider of distance education. Independence of Action The incumbent must be knowledgeable of AU s short and long term strategic goals and ensure that all development supports those goals. Actions and results are usually reviewed for soundness, appropriateness and conformity to policy and requirements by the Student and Academic Services Web Coordinator. However, the ability to work independently organizing,

5 researching, planning and implementing tasks is essential. The incumbent must be able to balance long and short term maintenance requests with the requirement to meet development deadlines.

6 Complexity The Student and Academic Services Web Developer responds to a wide range of issues and must have a diverse set of skills to draw upon. Every online resource has its own unique set of problems and the appropriate analysis tools must be selected and used in the correct way. The results must be analysed correctly and then acted upon in the correct manner. Any failure within this chain has the potential to result in a significant financial loss to the university. The Student and Academic Services Web Developer must have advanced skill in a variety of technical and social fields. This list includes (but is not limited to) web applications, protocols and standards, HTML, XML, XHTML, PHP, JavaScript, information architecture, usability, accessibility, project management, diplomacy, negotiation and facilitation. The position requires keeping pace with a broad range of technologies and ongoing skill upgrading to maintain an acceptable level of expertise. Attention to detail and the ability to plan multiple simultaneous projects is essential. The incumbent reviews changes in web technologies, standards and processes and informs the evolution of guidelines for web design at AU. Planning The position requires an excellent understanding of AU policy, procedure and strategic goals. The position interacts with all other AU units so the incumbent must also be familiar with AU staffing and sensitive to AU s culture. The Student and Academic Services Web Developer is involved in the assessment of existing or potential departmental systems through the creation of usability tests, evaluation surveys, etc. The Student and Academic Services Web Developer forms, or participates in the formation of, evaluation criteria lists; designs evaluation instruments; administers the evaluations; analyses the results; creates a list of recommendations; and reports back to the Student Services Web Coordinator and applicable design committies. The Student and Academic Services Web Developer is expected to develop and maintain a project plan for each new project and to ensure that appropriate project management methodology is followed. The position requires the ability to evaluate existing sites for compliance with AU guidelines and current best practices and plan new sites with future technical requirements in

7 mind to minimize the need for ongoing maintenance or redesign. The Student and Academic Services Web Developer assists with the establishment of new parameters for AU web design. Extensive knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of current AU policy and procedure are required to evaluate the potential impact of new tools or technology. The position requires the ability to think in abstract terms, visualize disorganized data structures and plan a means to reorganize the data into a cohesive whole. This position will have several ongoing projects with competing deliverable deadlines, the Student and Academic Services Web Developer must have excellent negotiation and time management skills. Signatures for Section I Incumbent's Signature Supervisor's Signature

8 Section II Qualifications Includes education, experience, skills, abilities and any other special qualifications required. The qualifications relate to the position not the incumbent Skills Required General The position requires a self-starter who can work independently, and as a team member. Excellent writing and editing skills applicable to a variety of media are essential, as is the ability to conform to and advise on sound standards of visual presentation. Time management and project management skills are vital, as are strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work with diverse individuals. Education / Experience This position requires a graduate of a recognized 4 year degree or a 2 year diploma program preferably in either Computing Science, Marketing, Graphic Design, or a related discipline along with 2 years of related web experience. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered. Technical and related skills This position requires intermediate to advanced knowledge in web applications, protocols and standards, HTML, XML, XSLT, PHP, Javascript, relational databases (mysql), information architecture, accessibility, and usability testing. Basic knowledge of visual communications (graphic design), and marketing would be an asset. Signatures for Sections I and II Department Head Signature Executive Officer Signature Human Resources Review