Senior Web Developer

Job Title : Senior Web Developer

Reporting Structure :

Part-time contract, 30-40 hours / month, reporting to VP Communications and Societal Engagement

Salary Range :

$80-$110 / hour Commensurate with experience

Job Scope :

The person will be responsible for the ongoing development, optimization, and technical support of Genome BC websites. This role requires an experienced developer who can work independently and deliver high-quality solutions with minimal oversight.

The successful candidate will collaborate with internal stakeholders and third-party vendors to support digital marketing, events, analytics, and content initiatives while ensuring site performance, security, and scalability.

Engagement Model

Genome BC is seeking either a senior solo contractor or a small boutique agency with a clearly identified technical lead. This role is intended to be a long term, collaborative, retainer-based relationship rather than a short-term project engagement.

Nature of the Role and Service Levels

This role is primarily focused on the ongoing technical stewardship of Genome BC’s websites, including maintenance, optimization and incremental improvements. Periodic feature development and structural enhancements are expected; however, a full site rebuild is not anticipated in the near term.

The engagement will be structured as an ongoing monthly retainer, with an agreed allocation of hours and defined service level expectations. These include a timely response to critical site issues, prioritized handling of high-impact problems and a predictable turnaround time for routine support and enhancements.

Detailed service levels, escalation paths and response times will be defined collaboratively during onboarding.

Core Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary technical leader of Genome BC’s websites, ensuring stability, performance, and reliability
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to translate functional requirements into practical technical solutions
• Proactively identify risks, inefficiencies, and opportunities for improvement across the site ecosystem.
• Manage and prioritize work within an agreed retainer structure, balancing responsiveness with planned improvements
• Coordinate as needed with third-party vendors and service providers to support digital marketing, events, analytics and content initiatives
• Ensure changes are implemented in a controlled manner, with appropriate documentation for custom or non-standard functionality to support continuity and long-term maintainability

Critical issues (site down, security incident, major functionality broken)

Technical Leadership and Governance

This role is expected to exercise professional judgment, communicate proactively and work collaboratively with Genome BC staff and partners.

WordPress Implementation Context

Genome BC’s websites use a mixed WordPress implementation, combining custom themes, reusable templates, Custom Post Types and Advanced Custom Fields to support structured content and a consistent editing experience.

The backend is intentionally designed to be clear and predictable for content editors, while remaining maintainable and extensible from a development perspective. The successful candidate will be expected to work within this existing approach, maintaining established patterns and improving them where it adds clear value.

Some page builder functionality may exist in limited contexts; however, the overall emphasis is on standards-based WordPress development rather than reliance on heavy visual builders.

WordPress Development and Architecture

Frontend and Backend Development

Server, Hosting and Infrastructure

Performance, SEO and Optimization

Analytics, Reporting and Marketing Technology

Digital Platforms and Reporting Support

In addition to website related responsibilities, the successful candidate will support a small number of adjacent digital platforms that integrate with or rely on the website. This may include :

This role is not expected to lead marketing strategy or campaign execution as a default responsibility. However, as the relationship develops, the contractor may, by agreement, support or lead the technical execution of specific campaigns or initiatives as an extension of the internal team based on capacity, priorities and mutual agreement.

Required Qualifications, Skills and Experience

How to apply :

Applicants should include a current CV with a cover letter indicating the anticipated start date and the names and contact information for at least two references. Please send the application in MS Word or PDF via email to careers@genomebc.ca

Application deadline :   4 pm, March 6, 2025

We thank you for your interest in Genome BC. Only those candidates short listed for interviews will be contacted. No phone calls please.

About Genome British Columbia :

Genome BC is a not-for-profit organization that has advanced genomics research and innovation for 25 years, growing a world class life sciences sector in BC and delivering sustainable benefits for British Columbia, Canada and beyond. Genome BC has attracted over $1.1 billion in direct co-investment to the province, which has contributed to funding more than 600 genomics research and innovation projects. These initiatives enhance healthcare and address environmental and natural resource challenges, improving the lives of British Columbians. Genome BC also integrates genomics into society by supporting responsible research and innovation and fostering an understanding and appreciation of the life sciences among educators, students and the public.  www.genomebc.ca

Our Values :