Web developers are responsible for day-to-day site design and creation. Webmasters are responsible for the technical aspects of the web site, including performance issues such as speed of access, and for approving site content.
Tasks:
- Design, build, or maintain web sites, using authoring or scripting languages, content creation tools, management tools, and digital media.
- Write, design, or edit web page content, or direct others producing content.
- Analyze user needs to determine technical requirements.
- Create web models or prototypes that include physical, interface, logical, or data models.
- Incorporate technical considerations into web site design plans, such as budgets, equipment, performance requirements, or legal issues including accessibility and privacy.
- Research, document, rate, or select alternatives for web architecture or technologies.
- Select programming languages, design tools, or applications
- Develop web site maps, application models, image templates, or page templates that meet project goals, user needs, or industry standards.
- Develop system interaction or sequence diagrams.
- Provide clear, detailed descriptions of web site specifications such as product features, activities, software, communication protocols, programming languages, and operating systems software and hardware.
- Document technical factors such as server load, bandwidth, database performance, and browser and device types.
- Confer with management or development teams to prioritize needs, resolve conflicts, develop content criteria, or choose solutions.
- Evaluate code to ensure that it is valid, is properly structured, meets industry standards and is compatible with browsers, devices, or operating systems.
- Develop or validate test routines and schedules to ensure that test cases mimic external interfaces and address all browser and device types.
- Document test plans, testing procedures, or test results.
- Install and configure hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) servers and associated operating systems.
- Identify problems uncovered by testing or customer feedback, and correct problems or refer problems to appropriate personnel for correction.
- Monitor security system performance logs to identify problems and notify security specialists when problems occur.
- Develop databases that support web applications and web sites.
- Perform web site tests according to planned schedules, or after any web site or product revisions.
- Perform or direct web site updates.
- Recommend and implement performance improvements.
- Design and implement web site security measures such as firewalls or message encryption.
- Establish appropriate server directory trees.
- Identify or maintain links to and from other web sites and check links to ensure proper functioning.
- Create searchable indices for web page content.
- Back up files from web sites to local directories for instant recovery in case of problems.
- Write supporting code for web applications or web sites.
- Register web sites with search engines to increase web site traffic.
- Develop or implement procedures for ongoing web site revision.
- Evaluate or recommend server hardware or software.
- Develop and document style guidelines for web site content.
- Communicate with network personnel or web site hosting agencies to address hardware or software issues affecting web sites.
- Maintain understanding of current web technologies or programming practices through continuing education, reading, or participation in professional conferences, workshops, or groups.
- Collaborate with management or users to develop e-commerce strategies and to integrate these strategies with web sites.
- Respond to user email inquiries, or set up automated systems to send responses.
- Renew domain name registrations.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
- Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
- Design - Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
- Communications and Media - Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
- Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
- Troubleshooting - determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
- Programming - Writing computer programs for various purposes.
- Complex Problem Solving - identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
- Technology Design - Generating or adapting equipment and technology to serve user needs.
- Operations Analysis - Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
Tools used in this occupation:
- Computer servers - Application servers; Web servers
- Desktop computers
- High capacity removable media drives - Universal serial bus USB flash drives
- Notebook computers - Laptop computers
- Personal computers
Technology used in this occupation:
- Programming and related technologies: Java, C, C++, Perl, Visual Basic, Oracle, MS Office, Lotus Notes/Domino, Java-based development tools (JBuilder), Excalibur RetrievalWare, Internet/Website and Content Management Technologies (i.e., Macromedia Dreamweaver, Fireworks, Flash, Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, HTML, XML), Web Protocols and Technologies (XML, SOAP, HTML, HTTP, TCP/IP, etc.), Data Architecture and Database System Design, Database management software; Distributed database management software Business Process Management (i.e., Lombardi Works), Software and Systems Engineering, Information Security Operating System/Platform to include: Unix (Solaris), Windows, Linux, Thin Client (i.e., Citrix); Program testing software - defect tracking software; fault testing software; IBM Rational ClearQuest; Mercury Interactive LoadRunner.
- Application Architecture and related technologies: N-Tier/Services Oriented Architecture, Web Services, WebLogic (Application Server), Oracle (RDBMS), PlumTree (Portal); WebLogic Web Server (Web Server); Internet Explorer & Netscape (Browser), Apache Struts (Development Framework); JBuilder Enterprise Edition (IDE); Concurrent Versions System-CVS (Version Management), Embarcadero Describe and System Architect (Architecture Modeling).
