The Senior Developer is the Center’s senior software application developer, and is responsible for designing and developing primarily server-side web applications in a small- team environment. The position calls for a talented programmer with a working knowledge of user interface principles, experience working with other developers, and strong organizational and communication skills.

The SD must have strong training and experience applying object-oriented programming principles in languages such as PHP, Python, Java and Ruby using modern programming practices such as design/content separation, class abstraction and model-view-controller frameworks. Specific experience using Python, Zope and PHP is especially valued. The Center’s web systems are primarily UNIX (Linux, BSD, MacOS)-based, so the SD must possess advanced operator knowledge of UNIX systems and have strong experience developing, deploying and testing applications on UNIX platforms.

Responsibilities

• The SD will collaborate with the VP Technology in the design, development and implementation of public-focused Internet applications – primarily web applications built using Zope, Python, PHP, MySQL and other open-source tools.
• The SD will be responsible for carrying out software development and customization projects, including managing and mentoring junior staff and contractors.
• The SD will gather requirements for ongoing enhancements, both major and minor, to Center web sites, and develop project proposals.
• The SD will communicate on a regular basis with junior and senior personnel throughout the Center.
• Requirements:
• Proven knowledge and expertise in web application development using modern software design principles.
• Strong ability to communicate technical details to lay audiences.
• Ability to work under pressure/tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to initiate projects and balance multiple projects at once.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work well on a team.
• Commitment to the Center’s mission and goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required or equivalent work experience.
• At least five years of professional experience in software development or relevant field.
• Experience building user-focused web sites to high user-interface, security and performance standards.
• Knowledge of HTTP protocol (including SSL, session management and proxy/caching) and standard doctypes, such as XHTML, XML, RSS and CSS.
• Experience working with PHP, Python, PERL, Java, MySQL, Apache, Tomcat, and a large variety of open source tools, including MVC programming frameworks such as Rails or Struts.
• Project management skills, including requirements analysis, software testing and QA.
• Preferred, but not required:
• Experience with both enterprise content-management systems (especially Zope) and LAMP-based blogging and other lightweight content-management applications, such as WordPress, MediaWiki, phpBB and eZ Publish.
• Knowledge of load-balancing and caching technologies, such as Squid, and experience conducting performance analysis and optimization of software applications.
• Experience building web services and clients using SOAP/WSDL and XML-RPC.
• Experience developing widgets and Web 2.0 applications.
• Experience using AJAX to build dynamic pages and understanding the impact of this and other techniques on page view metrics.
• Experience working with audio/video streaming and multimedia codecs.
• Experience with pen source/distributed development, including tools such as bug/issue trackers and CVS/SVN.

Additional Information

American Progress operates two separate nonprofit organizations to maximize our progressive agenda: The Center for American Progress and the Center for American Progress Action Fund. This job posting refers collectively to the two organizations under the name “American Progress.” The Center for American Progress is a non-partisan 501(c)(3) tax-exempt research and educational institute. It undertakes research, public education and a limited amount of lobbying. The Center for American Progress Action Fund is a non-partisan 501(c)(4) tax-exempt organization dedicated to achieving progress through action. It works to transform progressive ideas into policy through rapid response communications, legislative action, grassroots organizing, political advocacy and partnerships with other progressive leaders. The organizations share office space and employees.

American Progress provides a very competitive compensation and benefits package.

American Progress is an equal opportunity employer; women, minorities, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

For more information on the Center for American Progress, please go to www.americanprogress.org.

For more information on the Center for American Progress Action Fund, please go to www.americanprogressaaction.org.

To Apply

E-mail your Word resume and cover letter attachments to: jobs@americanprogress.org.

Or you may write to:
Center for American Progress
Attn: Human Resources Department
1333 H Street, NW, 10th Floor – Online Communications
Washington, DC 20005

In your correspondence, please reference the exact title of the job you are applying for in the subject line. This announcement will remain posted until the position is filled. No phone calls please.

Please note that only those individuals whose qualifications match the current needs of this position will be considered applicants and will receive responses from American Progress.

Thank you for your interest in American Progress. 

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