Front-End Web Developer

Description

JOB TITLE: Front-End Web Developer 

SUPERVISOR: Ocean Data Products (ODP) Program Director

Starting Salary Range: $70,000-$75,000

Overview: 

The Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI) develops and delivers collaborative solutions to global ocean challenges. We are dedicated to the resilience of the Gulf of Maine ecosystem and the communities that depend on it. To learn more, visit gmri.org.

Ocean Data Products:

The primary role of the Ocean Data Products team at GMRI is to develop and support data management and cyberinfrastructure (DMAC) systems that provide access to real-time, historic, and forecast data in the northeast region through customized data products. ODP has served as the lead data management provider for NERACOOS (the Northeastern Regional Association for Coastal and Ocean Observing Systems) since the early 2000s. Additionally, ODP works with partners at GMRI and collaborators in the region developing products and data management infrastructure for fisheries, climate, and marine environmental data. Current projects include development of an infrastructure for meteorological and oceanographic data from offshore buoys and sensors, web based tools and dashboards for accessing water level data and model forecast visualizations, GMRI’s public-facing community science platform, and a data infrastructure for GMRI research data. The ODP team develops and supports web-based software and tools to access data and information about the marine environment. This team shares resources and project management duties as it facilitates and implements distributed data delivery systems to the ocean observing community and stakeholders interested in marine data.

Front-End Web Developer:

The ODP team is looking for an early career Front-End Web Developer to join the team. This is a full-time regular position based on-site in Portland, ME with flexibility around hybrid work and reports to the ODP Program Director and works directly with the other members of the ODP team. The person in this role will provide ongoing support and contribute to the development of the suite of web-based software and tools used by stakeholders to access data and information about the marine environment and Gulf of Maine ecosystems. They will collaborate with internal partners at GMRI and external partners interested in data driven applications to support issues and concerns in ocean observing, ecosystem monitoring, fisheries, coastal processes, community science, and other marine areas. This position works closely with research scientists, domain experts, end users, stakeholders, and designers to develop, support, and maintain these products and systems. 

Requirements

Required Qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree in computer science, web development, web development, or related field, or 3 to 5 years of equivalent education and experience 
• 2+ years direct experience working with consumer-facing web applications and services using industry standard approaches
• Experience in working with open source technologies and communities
• Demonstrated proficiency with common front-end technologies, frameworks, and languages (such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, TypeScript, Node.js, and React) Experience with front-end testing frameworks (such as Jest, Playwright, or Cypress)
• Familiarity with web-oriented data formats (XML, JSON, CSV)
• Demonstrated knowledge of UI/UX approaches or graphic/web design
• Experience using repository-based version control development, preferably GitHub
• Experience translating functional requirements into technical specifications
• Proficiency managing application development on local and cloud-based environments 
• Well-developed written and verbal communications skills 
• Ability to thrive on a team that manages multiple projects with fixed deadlines
• Familiarity integrating data into front-end components from backend data systems and APIs 
• Familiarity with web accessibility standards (WCAG) and inclusive design practices

Other Preferred Qualifications:

The position will integrate directly with ODP programmers working on back-end and data integration systems. Because of the scientific nature of our work, familiarity or direct experience with the following technologies and approaches would be beneficial: 

• Data from sensors and large, unstructured time series and gridded data sets (satellite, buoys, models) and data formats (e.g., NetCDF, Zarr, Parquet)
• Scientific data management systems (e.g., ERDDAP, THREDDS, CKAN)
• GIS and mapping software (e.g., OpenLayers, ESRI, Google Maps, Leaflet, Mapbox, or similar)
• Data visualization libraries and tools (e.g., HighCharts, D3, Vega, Altair, Matplotlib, GGplot, Holoviews, or similar)
• Ability (or desire) to become proficient supporting content management frameworks (e.g., Python, Django, Wagtail, CKAN)
• Development in cloud compute environments (AWS or equivalent)
• Familiarity with container-based application development tools (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes, CI/CD)
• Graphic design 
• Software architecture best practices
• An academic background or previous work experience with marine science, fisheries, climate, or environmental issues
• Desire to work for a mission-driven non-profit

Diversity and Inclusion:

The Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI) has a long-standing policy and commitment to providing equal access and equal employment opportunities in all terms, conditions, processes, and benefits of employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, family status, veteran status, or any other classification protected by law. GMRI's employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, family status, veteran status, or any other classification protected by law. 

Applicants and employees are encouraged to voluntarily provide certain status data to assist GMRI in fulfilling various reporting requirements of the federal government. This self-identification is completely voluntary, will be kept confidential and separate from your application data, and used only to meet certain state or federal reporting requirements. Providing or declining to provide this information will not result in adverse action of any kind.

Salary and Benefits:

Gulf of Maine Research Institute offers a competitive salary and benefits package.

Application Instructions:

All applications must be accompanied by a cover letter and résumé. Please include links to GitHub repositories or web based portfolio to review examples of your work. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the successful candidate has been selected. The deadline to submit applications is October 25, 2026.