Front End Software Developer

Are you passionate about leading a dynamic team dedicated to transforming urban environments through data and technology? Do you thrive in a collaborative setting where innovation and excellence drive impactful change in city living? If so, this is the opportunity you've been waiting for! Join us in our mission to enhance urban governance and create more resilient, inclusive, and vibrant cities.

As a FE developer, you will play a pivotal role in shaping our FE Tech ecosystem, optimising productivity, and driving excellence in product design, development, and deployment. Accountable directly to the Lead Developer and collaborating with cross-functional teams, you'll lead a team of developers, ensuring they align with OCL's aspirational culture and work ethos. The work is challenging, fast-paced and always changing. You are an empathetic and creative leader with strong analytical skills, a commitment to quality, a collaborative work ethic and strong coding skills. Further, with data-driven decision-making being a core tenet of our approach to impact, this role requires a strong adherence to and an enthusiasm for careful, rigorous, responsible, and empathetic use of development, both personal and institutional;
seeking to build for safety, inclusivity, and equity.

Responsibilities:

• Develop, maintain, and enhance front-end applications using JavaScript (intermediate level required).
• Implement dynamic and reusable UI components using React.
• Collaborate with backend developers to integrate front-end components with Python-based frameworks.
• Translate UX designs into responsive, interactive, and high-quality user interfaces using tools like Figma.
• Ensure optimal performance, compatibility, and accessibility across multiple devices and browsers.
• Collaborate with UX/UI designers, product owners, and developers to understand project requirements and deliver exceptional user experiences.
• Debug, troubleshoot, and optimize front-end performance issues.
• Implement SEO best practices to improve search engine visibility and ranking of web applications.
• Deploy and manage Front End applications on platforms like AWS, Netlify, and Heroku or similar cloud systems.
• Grow professionally and develop personal competence in a rapidly scaling organisation.

Requirements:

Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Computer Science or relevant tertiary qualification or equivalent practical experience.
• Certifications in design methodology, project management or UX would be advantageous.
• Skills and Technical Expertise:
• Proficiency in JavaScript: Solid understanding of core JavaScript concepts and ES6+ features.
• Familiarity with modern JavaScript frameworks like React, Vue.js, or Angular.
• Knowledge of CSS preprocessors like SASS or LESS.
• Experience with front-end build tools such as Webpack, Vite, or Gulp.
• Understanding of RESTful APIs and AJAX for data handling.
• Experience in implementing responsive designs and translating UX designs from Figma to UI components.
• Understanding of cross-browser compatibility, accessibility (WCAG standards), and responsive web design principles.
• Basic knowledge of SEO principles (e.g., optimising page speed, meta tags, alt attributes, and schema).
• Familiarity with deploying front-end applications on AWS or Netlify, or Heroku.
• Understanding of cross-browser compatibility, accessibility (WCAG standards), and responsive web design principles.
• Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines for deployment on cloud platforms.
• Excellent communication, decision-making and problem-solving skills.
• Competencies in problem-solving, decision-making, organisational skills, and the ability to lead remote teams.
• Knowledge of and experience working with Notion, Slack, Microsoft, Google Suite, Toggl etc. would be an advantage.

Experience:

• Proven experience in a technical development environment, ideally within Civic Tech, with a track record of successful product deployments.
• Experience with city systems is highly beneficial.Experience working with data automation and integration is required.
• Proven experience leading software development teams and building out complex software solutions

Culture and values:

• Personal values aligned with OCL's aspirational culture.
• High ethical standards, integrity, and a strong desire for continuous learning and growth.
• Commitment to ongoing performance improvement and coaching programmes.

Company Description

We believe that through empowering citizens, building trust and accountability in civic space, and building capacity with government, we will enable participation in decision-making, evidence-based urban intervention, and inclusive co-design that will improve the lives of residents in urban spaces.

Our organisation is made up of Researchers, Software Developers, Economists, Data Scientists, Designers and Product Owners who get to constantly expand their knowledge and learn peripheral skills as part of the job. We are all driven by a common purpose as a non-partisan community founded on the belief of equality and inclusion through openness across all aspects of society.

All applicants who are drawn to serve the mission of Open Cities Lab will enjoy Equality of Opportunity and fair treatment without regard to:
- Race
- Colour
- Age
- Religion
- Pregnancy
- Sex
- Sexual orientation
- Disability
- Gender identity
- Gender expression
- National origin
- Genetic information
- Marital status
- Prior protected activity

Women, Nonbinary, BIPOC, and people with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

Posted on 07 Feb 10:18, Closing date 31 Mar