Details
Posted: 22-Feb-22
Location: Chicago, IL
Type: Full Time
Required Education: 4 Year Degree
Categories:
Information Technology and Web
About the Opportunity
As a thought leader and professional membership organization, the American Planning
Association is heavily invested in its digital presence. In order to serve APA members and communities, the APA Technology Team develops and supports sophisticated web and mobile tools. We are seeking an intelligent and creative individual who is motivated to join our team and lead the efforts to keep our website and data resources error-free, in a collaborative, fast paced, agile environment.
Position Summary
The Support Developer serves the team by developing, debugging, and supporting website and application software. The position resolves customer service requests from APA members and support tickets from APA staff; updates documentation as new software is released, and tickets are resolved; and uses documentation to develop automated tests that catch future bugs early. The position also provides reports and analysis to the software development team with an eye on improving services.
Critical Outcomes
- Swift resolution of support tickets and clear, concise communication to stakeholders that relays an extensive understanding of the issue and the resolution.
- Code solutions creatively scoped, analyzed, built, delivered, and supported with an eye towards long-term value.
- Documentation written for both technical and business stakeholders so that critical knowledge is shared and maintainable.
Core Responsibilities
- Act as the primary contact for incoming support tickets from APA members and APA staff; have a proactive approach and a high level of discernment when engaging support tickets.
- Serve as the technical liaison between APA’s Member Services department and technology team; explain irregular software behavior to APA staff and members and relay complex diagnoses to the technology team.
- Investigate and resolve challenging customer service, staff, and technology team requests.
- Write code to assist in application development for the planning.org website and other digital products.
- Follow best engineering practices, including:
- Ensuring that code adheres to defined coding standards
- Writing friendly, valid, well-commented code
- Using source control to maintain and track code
- Advocate for APA’s code quality and reliability; develop and revise code to guarantee the product meets test requirements as defined by Quality Assurance.
- Work with the Database Administrator and Data Analyst to troubleshoot and correct data inconsistencies.
- Work with the full technology team to improve user experience; provide thoughtful usability analysis and recommendations based on member feedback and stakeholder priorities.
- Be curious. You will be introduced to different technologies and have a chance to learn and apply a wide range of disciplines.
Requirements
- Software application development experience required; experience with Django web framework strongly preferred
- Solid understanding of web standards and best engineering practices
- Ability to comprehend and untangle complex processes??
- Experience with Agile methodology preferred
- Strong written and oral communication skills with customer service in mind?
- Ability to communicate technical solutions/issues to both technical and business team members?
- Very strong troubleshooting and insight abilities
- Excellent organizational skills with the ability to coordinate multiple projects simultaneously
- Bachelor’s degree and 1+ years of web development experience
Why Join the Team
- Join a talented and motivated team
- Work in a creative, fun, and collaborative environment using the latest technologies
- Build useful tools that service city planners and have a positive social impact on communities
- Excellent benefits, vacation, and competitive salary
- Excellent opportunity for professional growth
How to Apply
Submit a resume and cover letter to techjobs@planning.org. The following questions must be addressed in your letter to participate in the evaluation process:
- Why have you chosen to apply for this Support Developer position at APA?
- How do you envision your career evolving in the near term? In the long term?
- Briefly describe a situation in which you applied a creative solution to a software development problem, including how your solution created business insight
- Briefly describe a situation in which you considered multiple viewpoints in the design or delivery of software
- Salary expectations
The American Planning Association exists to elevate and unite a diverse planning profession as it helps communities, their leaders and residents anticipate and meet the needs of a changing world. Learn more at www.planning.org.
APA embraces diversity and equal opportunity in our employment practices. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our impact will be.
APA COVID-19 Vaccine Policy Disclaimer
The American Planning Association values the safety of our employees, our members, and our visitors. In support of these values, if you are selected for this job you must show proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19, except when vaccination is not medically advised or violates your sincerely held religious beliefs. If you are invited to join our team, you must comply with APA COVID-19 Vaccine Policy.
APA Dynamic Office Environment
Beginning January 2022, we’ll be shifting to a dynamic work environment that will bring those of us in the Chicagoland area together in person two days a week, Tuesday and Thursday. We’ll use this time to rekindle relationships, build new ones and connect with each other formally and informally in a way we can’t do online. The other three days can be worked remotely or in the office.
