Jr Web Developer

Role Overview

The Junior Web Developer supports the Web Development Department by performing foundational website maintenance, development, optimization, and QA tasks across client websites and digital properties. This is a hands-on execution role focused primarily on WordPress maintenance with growth into more advanced builds over time.

Responsibilities

WordPress Maintenance

• Perform routine updates for WordPress core, themes, and plugins
• Review sites after updates to catch layout, functionality, and performance issues
• Understand WordPress template hierarchy and child themes
• Perform basic database backups/migrations using staging environments
• Assist troubleshooting for issues involving plugins/themes, PHP errors, and configuration conflicts
• Follow internal SOPs for staging, QA, backups, and escalation

Front-End Website Edits

• Make basic page edits using HTML, CSS, and basic JavaScript
• Update content and UI elements (images, buttons, links, forms, layouts)
• Perform responsive adjustments for desktop/tablet/mobile
• Implement minor design/layout changes based on direction from senior team members

Website Speed Optimization

• Execute basic optimization tasks using established SOPs
• Help with image compression, caching checks, plugin reviews, and performance cleanup
• Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights, Lighthouse, and GTmetrix to identify issues
• Document work and flag more complex performance problems

Security Audits & Website Health

• Conduct basic security audits and site health checks
• Identify outdated or vulnerable plugins/components, unusual admin users, and SSL/site warnings
• Perform backup checks and update-readiness reviews
• QA after updates, security changes, and fixes
• Escalate higher-risk issues to senior developers

Hosting, CDN & Technical Support

• Work in hosting environments (preferably WPEngine)
• Support staging-to-production workflows, backups, and cache clearing
• Perform basic Cloudflare tasks (cache clearing, DNS/SSL checks, CDN troubleshooting)
• Help with redirects, broken links, and form testing

Website Build Support

• Assist senior developers on new website builds as skills grow
• Build pages from approved designs using WordPress tools/templates/page builders
• Support theme customization and child theme updates
• Participate in QA, launch preparation, and post-launch fixes

Requirements

• Hands-on experience working with WordPress
• Understanding of template hierarchy, child themes, and staging environments
• Basic experience with database backups and migrations
• Basic working knowledge of PHP
• Proficiency with HTML and CSS
• Basic JavaScript knowledge
• Ability to make edits and troubleshoot common WordPress issues
• Comfortable working in WordPress admin and page-building tools
• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow SOPs
• Clear written communication; ability to document work and issues
• Willingness to learn agency workflows

Nice-to-Haves

• Experience or familiarity with hosting/CDN workflows (WPEngine, Cloudflare)
• Familiarity with performance tooling (PageSpeed Insights, Lighthouse, GTmetrix)