IT Specialist (Web Developer & Scientific Outreach)

Quick Facts

• Role: IT Specialist (Web Developer & Scientific Outreach Communicator)
• Focus: Planetary-defense coordination and the Life on a Sustainable Planet initiative
• Duration: Temporary, not to exceed 2 years
• Location: Cambridge, MA
• Compensation: $84,579 – $109,959 / year

Description

This temporary IT Specialist role supports planetary-defense coordination by developing and maintaining responsive web applications and web-based resources for scientific outreach and community engagement. You will translate scientific and operational requirements into accessible, accurate digital workflows, interfaces, interactive visualizations, and outreach materials for researchers, observers, partners, and the public. Responsibilities also include maintaining technical documentation and ensuring reliability, maintainability, accessibility, and compliance with Smithsonian IT/security and web-development requirements.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain web-based resources for planetary-defense coordination (near-Earth objects, observational follow-up, physical characterization, observing capabilities, and scientific resources)
• Design, develop, test, implement, and maintain responsive web applications and interfaces for the initiative
• Integrate data from databases, APIs, and other sources; develop and modify application code; translate requirements into functional digital workflows
• Test and troubleshoot applications; resolve technical problems; incorporate feedback into improvements
• Create digital communication and outreach resources (interactive visualizations, graphics, web features, explanatory materials)
• Support community engagement by developing web resources that enable collaboration and dissemination of observing and initiative information
• Maintain, evaluate, and improve web applications and digital resources; monitor reliability/performance/accessibility; implement improvements based on evolving needs

Benefits

• Health, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Transit/Commuter Benefits
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
• Annual and Sick Leave
• Family Friendly Leave
• 403b Retirement Plan
• Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships, Museum Stores and Restaurants
• Credit Union
• Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (Child Care)
• Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care)