Position Summary

The Web Interaction Designer will lead a design “refresh” of the UBC CLF (Common Look and Feel) Web Templates and the design of a mobile web framework. The position will focus on the front end design layer, but will work collaboratively with other team members with programming the underlying HTML and CSS code.

Organizational Status

The Web Interaction Designer reports to the Manager, Web Communications, UBC Public Affairs and works with other team members in the Web Communications group. The position works closely with the Managers of the Graphic Design and UBC Brand groups and their respective teams to ensure UBC’s brand standards are met.

Major Responsibilities

• Redesign (refresh, not a wholesale change) of the UBC CLF based on feedback collected since the launch of the UBC Brand in 2009.
• Design a mobile web framework that will be integrated in the UBC CLF.
• Evaluate the existing UBC CLF and update the design to improve usability and to keep up with current trends.
• Conduct interviews, user surveys, and workshops to gather feedback on usability of current UBC CLF design and creates design solutions.
• Create various designs through development of user and data flows, wireframes, mock-ups, interactive prototypes, and specifications.
• Create wireframes and prototypes based on information gathered.
• Design system solutions for unit and campus identification in the UBC CLF and mobile web framework.
• Design effective menu navigation systems in the UBC CLF and mobile web framework.
• Design standard widgets (buttons, links, icons, etc.) that will be distributed as part of the UBC CLF and mobile web framework templates.
• Contribute to the development of documentation and guidelines for the use of the new CLF and mobile templates
• Additional duties as assigned.

Decision Making and Consequence of Error

The consequence of error associated with this position is serious in that a mistake could have a negative impact on the reputation of the university.  Poorly executed strategies could have grave consequences and result in loss of support and embarrassment to the university.

Supervision Received

The position functions as part of a team of Web Communications staff, requiring minimal supervision and works closely with the Graphic Design and Brand groups. The position reports to the Manager, Web Communications who collaborates on overall strategic planning.

Supervision Exercised

None.

Qualifications

Education

Undergraduate degree in related post-secondary training or an equivalent combination of experience or education in a related discipline.

Technical Skills

• A minimum of 4-5 years occupational experience working as a web usability or interaction designer with a demonstrated portfolio of presentation layer work.
• Excellent graphic design skills in print and web.
• Demonstrated Graphical User Interface (GUI) design / user experience (UX) / usability design skills.
• Understanding of good design principles and ability to adhere to complex design specifications during implementation.
• Strong conceptual thinking skills to translate abstract ideas into a well-defined form.
• Demonstrated ability to accurately estimate and scope development work.
• Knowledge of HTML/XHTML and CSS.
• Knowledge of best web practices, particularly with W3C Standards.
• Experience with designing mobile websites would be an asset.
• Experience with WordPress and Drupal would be an asset.
• Knowledge of HTML 5 and CSS 3 would be an asset.
• Knowledge of web accessibility standards would be an asset.
• Experience with designing large corporate websites definitely an asset.

• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with an ability to impart technical information to audiences with mixed levels of ability.
• Ability to think and plan strategically.
• Demonstrated organizational skills in project and time management, with an ability to work under pressure to meet multiple deadlines.
• Creative, technical and analytical skills.
• Strong consultative and problem solving skills.
• Meticulous work habits and a keen attention to detail.
• Ability to work as a team member and to take direction / advice.
• Ability to effectively handle multiple projects simultaneously and to meet deadlines.
• Strong marketing and creative skills for generating new opportunities and ideas.
• Knowledge of the university and its policies, goals, mission, and issues would be a definite asset.

Application Instructions

Submit applications with cover letter to: Attn: Michael Ko, Manager, Web Communications (michael.ko@ubc.ca).  Please include the Job ID (12113) in the subject line.

Position Summary

Working closely with and under the direction of UBC Public Affairs’ Manager, Web Communications, the Web Coordinator assists in the operational administration of various UBC websites, including UBC’s top-level site, www.ubc.ca.

Organizational Status

The Web Coordinator reports to the Manager, Web Communications, UBC Public Affairs. The position works with UBC Public Affairs web team members and communications staff, External, Legal and Community Relations staff, and a variety of UBC constituents across faculties, departments, and service units.

Major Responsibilities

Web Communications

• Develops, designs and maintains the university’s top-level web presence, UBC.ca.
• Develops, designs and maintains various other websites that fall under Public Affairs’ responsibility.
• Ensures that the UBC.ca and Public Affairs sites are up to date with timely news and announcements.
• Works closely with other teams in Public Affairs (Brand, Design and Communications groups) and provides support for web communications initiatives.
• Advocates for the adoption of best practices in website information organization and user centred design to balance the needs of the audience with the goals of the unit.
• Performs background research to identify innovative methods in communicating with UBC’s diverse audiences via new media and emerging technologies.
• Researches and recommends tools or procedures that allow sites to be more easily maintained and provides related training and support.
• Programs and designs new and existing elements.
• Develops interactive features and functionality.
• Recommends and assists in development of web content and functionality.
• Monitors site traffic and ensuring optimization.
• Coordinates amongst various UBC website maintainers to reduce overlap and inefficiencies of information.
• Conducts regular meetings with / makes presentations to website constituency groups.
• Examines best practices and trends at comparable institutions and across industry sectors to ensure the competitiveness and leadership of UBC websites.
• Recommends and assists in development of web content and functionality.
• Analyzes and makes recommendations on usability of UBC websites.
• Collaborates with other key university groups, such as UBC IT and CTLT on overarching web initiatives for the university.
• Maintains the UBC Experts Guide Database.
• Supports UBC on iTunes U clients.
• Writes manuals and reports to document work processes and projects.
• Other duties as assigned.

UBC Brand

• Supports and advocates the UBC Brand and UBC CLF (Common Look and Feel).
• Creates and distributes the UBC CLF web templates to the UBC Community.
• Assists units with integrating the UBC CLF.
• Works closely with the Public Affairs Design Team and translates visual identity designs to working HTML and CSS mark up.
• Assists with ongoing improvement and development of the UBC CLF design.

Content Management Support

• Works closely with the Office of CTLT (Centre for Teaching and Learning) and provides support for UBC administrative units using WordPress CMS (Content Management System).
• Assists with supporting the operational administration of WordPress CMS, one of UBC’s enterprise-wide content management tools.
• Creates online support resources and documentation for all WordPress CMS clients.
• Attends regular workshops to provide support for WordPress CMS clients.

Decision Making and Consequence of Error

The position is expected to assist in setting website operational goals and make decisions regarding editorial copy, photographic and graphic content, and technical issues for UBC’s top-level websites, which take into account the best interests of Public Affairs and the University.

The consequence of error associated with this position is serious in that a mistake could have a negative impact on the reputation of the university, i.e. incorrect or erroneous information could cause embarrassment and loss of credibility to the university.

Supervision Received

The position functions as part of a team of Web Communications staff, requiring minimal supervision. The position reports to the Manager, Web Communications who collaborates on overall strategic planning.

Supervision Exercised

None.

Qualifications and Skills

Education

Undergraduate degree in related post-secondary training or an equivalent combination of experience or education in a related discipline.

Technical Skills

• Minimum 2-3 years experience in web site design / maintenance, ideally in a complex organizational environment.
• Demonstrated Graphical User Interface (GUI) design / user experience (UX) / usability design skills.
• Excellent HTML and CSS editing skills.
• Strong skills in JavaScript and JQuery.
• Experience with open-source technologies (PHP, MySQL).
• Experience with WordPress and Drupal content management tools.
• Experience designing or modifying templates for a content management system or blogging application.
• Solid knowledge of web server statistics (traffic) monitoring packages and other site management tools.
• Knowledge of best web practices, particularly with W3C Standards.
• Experience with Adobe Creative Suite software (DreamWeaver, Photoshop, Illustrator, Flash, Fireworks).
• Strong knowledge of MS Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, Powerpoint).
• Experience working with digital multimedia files and knowledge of various audio and video formats / standards.
• Experience with social media tools (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube).
• Experience with designing mobile websites would be an asset.
• Knowledge of HTML 5 and CSS 3 would be an asset.
• Knowledge of web accessibility standards would be an asset.

Soft Skills

• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with an ability to impart technical information to audiences with mixed levels of ability.
• Strong copy writing, editing and proof-reading skills.
• Strong marketing and creative skills for generating new opportunities and ideas.
• Ability to think and plan strategically.
• Demonstrated organizational skills in project and time management, with an ability to work under pressure to meet multiple deadlines.
• Meticulous work habits and a keen attention to detail.
• Excellent problem solving or troubleshooting skills.
• Ability to work as a team member and to take direction / advice.
• Demonstrated willingness to learn and continually upgrade skills.
• Knowledge of the university and its policies, goals, mission, and issues would be a definite asset.

Application Instructions

Submit applications with cover letter to: Attn: Michael Ko, Manager, Web Communications (michael.ko@ubc.ca).  Please include the Job ID (10967) in the subject line.

Position Summary

UBC IT and the Manager, Web Communications at the UBC Public Affairs Office will be undertaking a business analysis project to identify UBC’s requirements for two key enterprise technologies: 1) a digital asset repository; and 2) a mobile web applications framework.  Collectively, the project is known as the Digital Channels Project.

The first component of this project will entail an extensive environment scan within the University, which includes but not limited to: engaging various stakeholders through open dialogue to understand current and future needs and requirements, auditing the current web and mobile environment, researching and auditing existing technologies that are currently in use by other departments, and researching potential future technologies that will be used by other departments.

The second component of this project will entail a competitive analysis of comparable post-secondary schools to help determine best practices of current and future technology trends in the education industry.

Upon completion of the above research and analysis phase, findings and recommendations will be presented to the Mobile Web Committee and the Web Governance Group.

It is expected that this project will take approximately 3 months, from June to August 2011, to complete.  During this time, the Manager, Web Communications is expected to dedicate close to an equivalent of 1.0 FTE towards this project and will require a Project Assistant.

Organizational Status

The Project Assistant, Digital Channels, reports to the Director, IT Transformation and Project Management Office at UBC IT and the Manager, Web Communications at UBC Public Affairs.

Major Responsibilities

The successful candidate will be responsible for providing project support and assistance to the Director, IT Transformation and Project Management Office at UBC IT and the Manager, Web Communications at UBC Public Affairs.  Responsibilities include:

• Assists with research and analysis of technologies related to the project.
• Completes audit reports of all existing websites at the University.
• Completes audit reports on web technologies used by other departments at UBC and other comparable universities.
• Creates Excel Spreadsheet reports of research data and findings.
• Creates PowerPoint presentations of research data and findings.
• Organizes meetings, workshops and/or focus groups with key stakeholders.
• Assists with managing project timelines and tasks.
• Assists with updating and maintaining the Digital Channels Project website, which will be used to communicate project progress to key stakeholders.
• Assists with project documentation.
• Creates wireframe or flowchart diagrams.
• Other duties as assigned.

Decision Making and Consequence of Error

The position is expected to assist with providing accurate research data and recommendations to the Mobile Web Committee and the Web Governance Group, potential solutions for the Digital Channels Project.

The consequence of error associated with this position is serious in that a mistake could have a negative impact on the reputation of the university, i.e. incorrect or erroneous information could cause embarrassment and loss of credibility to the university.

Supervision Received

The position reports and receives general direction from the Director, IT Transformation and Project Management Office at UBC IT the Manager, Web Communications at UBC Public Affairs.

Supervision Exercised

None.

Qualifications and Skills

Education

Current student at UBC in a related field.

Technical Skills

• Strong knowledge of MS Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Visio).
• Sound working knowledge of Adobe Acrobat PDF document creation tool.
• Experience with WordPress, web content publishing tool.
• Experience with blogs, forums, trouble-ticketing software and social media tools.
• HTML and knowledge of Dreamweaver and other HTML editing / conversion tools would be an asset.

Soft Skills

• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with an ability to impart technical information to audiences with mixed levels of ability.
• Excellent organizational, planning, and prioritization skills.
• Strong copy writing, editing and proof-reading skills.
• Demonstrated organizational skills in project and time management, with an ability to work under pressure to meet multiple deadlines.
• Ability to work as a team member and to take direction / advice.
• Knowledge of the university and its policies, goals, mission, and issues would be a definite asset.