Harvard University
Position Title: Front-End Developer (Data V)

Req ID: 68164BR

School or Unit: Harvard Kennedy School

Description: Position Description

The Growth Lab's Viz Hub is an online portfolio of data analysis and visualization platforms built in-house by the Digital Development & Design team. Our flagship platform, The Atlas of Economic Complexity, delivers the ability to discover new economic growth opportunities for every country. Our award-winning platform, Metroverse, allows users to explore urban growth opportunities for over 1000 cities worldwide. In addition to these tools, the team has built over 35 additional software products, prototypes and digital storytelling features. Our digital tools serve over 30,000 monthly users, including policymakers, journalists from leading media outlets, experts at multilateral organizations, and members of the Harvard community.

As a front-end developer at the Growth Lab, you'll work in a collaborative environment that encourages creativity and professional growth, with access to Harvard's world-class facilities, events, and classes.

General Responsibilities:

In this role, you will both contribute to our flagship platforms - The Atlas of Economic Complexity and Metroverse - and create new visualization tools from the ground up. You'll work with our React, TypeScript, and GraphQL stack to enhance existing codebases while also having opportunities to architect new solutions as novel research projects emerge at the Lab. Responsibilities will include:

• Taking ownership of the front-end development of major data visualizations and UI/UX components within large, existing codebases and new ground-up projects.
• Championing quality standards development and testing, with meticulous attention to code reliability, readability, maintainability and documentation.
• Proactively engaging with design, backend and product team members to identify needs, scope feature requests and articulate relevant trade-offs.
• Participating in various phases of feature development, including requirements analysis, design, testing, brainstorming and sprint planning meetings.
• Identifying opportunities for technical improvements and bringing forward thoughtful solutions You will also work with a wide assortment of interesting data sets to build brand new, innovative tools at the Lab. This will involve responsibilities such as: Leading the development of research and data driven web applications that adhere to the Growth Lab's high performance standards and design aesthetic.
• Building custom and dynamic web-based data visualizations.
• Planning and accommodating for various mediums, screen sizes and device types.
• Occasionally presenting aspects of your work at staff meetings and Harvard events.

Basic Qualifications

• Minimum of two years' post-secondary education or relevant work experience

Additional Qualifications and Skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• At least 2-3 years of professional experience developing web applications using React, Angular or similar frameworks
• Demonstrated experience using modern HTML, CSS and JavaScript
• Demonstrated experience building interactive data visualizations
• Experience with GraphQL and/or REST API frameworks
• Experience with TypeScript, Node, and command line
• Strong understanding of browser rendering behaviors and performance, including mobile development best practices
• Strong organizational skills with demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities independently
• Experience collaborating with team members through Git workflows
• Awareness of website accessibility standards
• Natural inclination to identify and address challenges with strong judgment and mature problem-solving skills
• Track record of contributing to team improvement initiatives and best practices
• Experience contributing to knowledge sharing within software development teams
• Excited to explore and learn new technologies and innovative practices in data visualization development
• Experience working within an Agile software development cycle
• Enthusiastic about initiating technical discussions and breaking down complex concepts for non-technical audiences Interested in economic and social development issues

As part of the interview process, applicants should be prepared to undertake an online technical challenge and demo samples of personal or professional work that best demonstrates relevant capabilities.

Additional Information

This position is a fully benefits-eligible one year term appointment, with the strong possibility of renewal.

Learn more about our work culture and see yourself at Harvard Kennedy School.

We regret that the Harvard Kennedy School does not provide visa sponsorship.

Harvard University requires pre-employment reference and background checks.

Harvard University is committed to supporting a healthy, sustainable learning and working environment.
This is a hybrid position based on our campus in Cambridge, MA. As a campus-based institution, we place a high value on the in-person experience, cross-team collaboration, and strong community building in order to create a vibrant campus for our students, faculty, staff, and research fellows. The position is required to work in-person on campus a minimum of three days per week during the academic year. Specific days and schedule will be determined between you and your manager.

The health of our workforce is a priority for Harvard University. With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up-to-date on CDC-recommended vaccines.
Salary Range: $76,400 - $130,000

Note: Starting salaries typically fall in the lower half of the salary range; however, they are ultimately determined by the scope of the position, the candidate's relevant experience, and internal equity.

About Us

Located at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, the Growth Lab works to understand the dynamics of economic growth and to translate those insights into more effective policy making in developing countries. The Lab pioneers a unique approach by embedding a diverse software Digital Development & Design team directly alongside faculty and fellows, to build open-access web applications that translate and disseminate the Growth Lab's cutting-edge economic research to improve the livelihoods of people on a global scale. We believe that user-friendly software can be a vital channel to effectively interpret complex concepts and to better understand the world.

To learn more, please visit the Growth Lab's website: https://growthlab.hks.harvard.edu/.

Benefits

We invite you to visit Harvard's Total Rewards website (https://hr.harvard.edu/benefits-wellbeing) to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:

• Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
• Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
• Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
• Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
• Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
• Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
• Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
• Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.

LinkedIn Recruiter Tag (for internal use only)

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Department Office Location: USA - MA - Cambridge

Job Code: I0757P Applications Professional III

Job Function: Information Technology

Work Format: Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote)

Sub Unit: ------------

Salary Grade: 057

Department: Center for International Development : Growth Lab

Salary Range: $76,400 - $130,000

Union: 00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Time Status: Full-time

Pre-Employment Screening: Education, Identity
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At Harvard Kennedy School, fostering a diverse and inclusive community where everyone feels they belong is a matter of basic fairness consistent with our core values as an institution. It is also essential to our mission of improving public policy and leadership-because recruiting the best people and creating an environment where they can thrive make us better at what we do, because we learn more from people with different perspectives, and because we work in diverse groups and serve diverse societies. Learn more about Harvard Kennedy School's commitment to Diversity Equity, and Anti-Racism.

EOE Statement: We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.