PT Temp Web Designer

Temple University
Full-timeβ€’United States

πŸ“ Job Overview

Job Title: PT Temp Web Designer

Company: Temple University

Location: United States

Job Type: Part-time, Temporary

Category: Creative & Media / Technology Operations

Date Posted: 2026-03-31

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: 100% Remote

πŸš€ Role Summary

  • This role is crucial for the development and enhancement of a new WordPress website focused on community violence intervention, serving as a key digital initiative for Temple University's Criminal Justice Department.

  • Responsibilities will center on front-end design, layout, content implementation, and improving overall user experience and visual consistency of the ARCvi website.

  • The position offers an opportunity for early-career professionals to gain significant responsibility in web development and contribute to a meaningful project with community and government agency impact.

  • Collaboration with faculty and the Public Policy Lab will be integral to ensuring the website effectively supports violence intervention efforts across Philadelphia and Pennsylvania.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: While the title is "Web Designer," the emphasis on content implementation, user-friendliness, visual consistency, and collaboration with academic departments positions this role within a broader GTM (Go-To-Market) or operational support context, particularly for digital resource development. The focus on a specific project (ARCvi) and its target audience (community and government agencies) suggests a need for strategic content presentation and user engagement, aligning with GTM operational principles for digital outreach.

πŸ“ˆ Primary Responsibilities

  • Design and implement front-end web pages using WordPress, focusing on layout, structure, and visual appeal for the ARCvi website.

  • Refine page structures, format, and upload diverse content, including text, images, and downloadable resources, ensuring optimal presentation and accessibility.

  • Enhance visual consistency across the website, applying design principles to maintain a cohesive and professional aesthetic.

  • Ensure the website is user-friendly and optimized for various devices (mobile, tablet, desktop) through responsive design implementation.

  • Collaborate closely with faculty members in the Department of Criminal Justice and the Public Policy Lab to translate project requirements into effective web solutions.

  • Conduct usability testing to identify and resolve layout issues, improve navigation, and ensure a seamless user experience for target audiences.

  • Troubleshoot minor website issues, perform routine updates, and maintain the overall health and functionality of the WordPress site.

  • Assist with the integration and configuration of basic WordPress plugins for features such as forms, menus, and embedded content.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The core responsibilities highlight a blend of creative design and operational execution, focusing on delivering a functional and user-friendly digital asset. This is typical for roles supporting GTM or project-based initiatives where the website serves as a primary communication and resource platform.

πŸŽ“ Skills & Qualifications

Education:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Web Design, Digital Media, User Experience (UX) Design, Communications, Computer Science, or a closely related field.

Experience:

  • A minimum of two (2) years of professional experience in web design or a related information technology field.

  • At least two (2) years of hands-on experience with WordPress, including theme customization, page building, and plugin management.

  • Demonstrated experience building and editing websites using WordPress as a primary platform.

Required Skills:

  • Proficiency with WordPress themes and popular page builders (e.g., Elementor, Gutenberg, Divi, or similar).

  • Strong understanding of front-end web design principles, including page layout, visual hierarchy, and intuitive navigation.

  • Basic proficiency in HTML and CSS for content formatting and minor design adjustments.

  • Ability to effectively format, upload, and manage web content, including text, images, and downloadable files.

  • Solid understanding of responsive design principles for cross-device compatibility.

  • Capacity to make basic design adjustments related to fonts, spacing, color schemes, and overall page structure.

  • Aptitude for troubleshooting minor website issues and performing routine maintenance and updates.

  • Familiarity with essential WordPress plugins and site features such as contact forms, navigation menus, and embedded media.

  • Meticulous attention to detail in layout, formatting, and content accuracy.

  • Strong organizational and time management skills to handle multiple tasks and meet project deadlines effectively.

Preferred Skills:

  • Experience designing or supporting websites for non-profit organizations, community-based groups, small businesses, or other mission-driven entities.

  • Foundational knowledge of at least one programming language such as Java, Python, C#, or C++.

  • Basic understanding of SQL and database concepts for potential future data integration needs.

  • Familiarity with either Windows or Linux operating systems.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The required skills emphasize practical WordPress proficiency, front-end basics, and attention to detail, which are standard for roles focused on website maintenance and content delivery. The preferred skills, particularly programming languages and SQL, suggest potential for future growth or involvement in more complex data-driven aspects of the project, hinting at a potential expansion of the role's operational scope.

πŸ“Š Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

  • A curated portfolio showcasing at least 2-3 significant web design projects, preferably built with WordPress, demonstrating front-end design and content implementation skills.

  • Projects should highlight experience with responsive design, user-friendly navigation, and visual consistency across different devices and screen sizes.

  • Include examples that demonstrate your ability to format and upload diverse content types (text, images, documents).

Process Documentation:

  • Be prepared to discuss your process for translating design requirements into functional web pages within the WordPress environment.

  • Demonstrate your workflow for content formatting, uploading, and quality assurance (e.g., checking for broken links, layout consistency).

  • Outline your approach to troubleshooting minor website issues and implementing routine updates.

  • Provide examples of how you ensure cross-device compatibility and user-friendliness in your design process.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: For a web design role, especially one involving content implementation and user experience, a portfolio is paramount. This section infers that a strong portfolio demonstrating practical application of WordPress skills, responsive design, and content management is expected, aligning with operational efficiency and quality standards for digital assets.

πŸ’΅ Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

  • The hourly rate for this position is set at $35.00 per hour.

Benefits:

  • As a part-time, temporary, grant-funded position, standard university benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off are typically not included.

  • Employees will be eligible for legally mandated benefits as applicable by local and federal regulations.

Working Hours:

  • This is a part-time position. The exact number of hours per week will be determined based on project needs and workload, but are expected to be consistent with a part-time role.

  • The position is 100% remote, offering flexibility in terms of work location within the United States.

  • Grant funding for this position is secured through August 31, 2026, indicating a defined project timeline.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of a fixed hourly rate and the grant-funded nature of the position are key indicators for candidates. The lack of typical benefits is standard for such roles, but the remote flexibility and project duration are important considerations. The $35/hour rate for a part-time, temporary role with 2-5 years of experience in the US aligns with market rates for skilled contract web designers.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏒 Company Culture

Industry: Higher Education / Research / Social Services

Company Size: Temple University is a large, public research university with a significant number of employees and students. This implies a structured, professional, and often collaborative environment.

Founded: Temple University was founded in 1884, indicating a long-standing institution with established traditions and a robust infrastructure.

Team Structure:

  • The Web Designer will report to faculty members within the Department of Criminal Justice and work closely with the Public Policy Lab.

  • This suggests a matrixed reporting structure where direct supervision comes from academic leadership, with project-specific guidance from lab members.

Methodology:

  • The project focuses on developing digital resources (ARCvi website) to support community violence intervention efforts, implying a data-informed and impact-oriented approach.

  • The work will involve applying web design best practices for usability, content delivery, and visual appeal to engage target audiences effectively.

  • Collaboration with faculty will likely involve iterative feedback loops and a research-driven approach to website development.

Company Website: https://www.temple.edu/

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: Understanding Temple University's context as a large academic institution is crucial. The role operates within a specific department (Criminal Justice) and project (ARCvi), suggesting a focus on applied research and community impact, rather than a typical corporate GTM environment. The culture will likely be academic, research-oriented, and mission-driven.

πŸ“ˆ Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a "Part-Time Temporary Web Designer," suitable for individuals with 2-5 years of experience. It offers significant project-specific responsibility but is not a permanent, full-time position with typical career ladder progression within the university's permanent staff structure.

Reporting Structure:

Operations Impact:

  • The primary impact of this role is the successful development and launch of the ARCvi website, a critical digital tool for strengthening community violence intervention efforts.

Growth Opportunities:

  • Skill Enhancement: Deepen expertise in WordPress, front-end development (HTML/CSS), responsive design, and potentially gain exposure to UX/UI principles in a real-world project context.

  • Project-Specific Experience: Gain valuable experience working on a grant-funded project with a clear social impact objective, which can be a strong resume builder.

  • Networking: Build professional relationships with faculty at Temple University and potentially with individuals in the community violence intervention field.

  • Portfolio Development: Contribute significant pieces to a professional portfolio, showcasing skills in website design, content implementation, and project collaboration.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: This role is a temporary, project-based opportunity. While it offers practical experience and skill development relevant to web design and operational digital asset creation, it's important for candidates to understand it's not a permanent career track within Temple University's core staff. The growth is primarily in skill acquisition and portfolio enhancement.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is a 100% remote position, meaning there is no physical office requirement. The "work environment" is wherever the employee chooses to work, provided they have reliable internet access and a suitable setup.

Office Location(s):

Workspace Context:

  • Autonomy: High degree of autonomy in managing daily tasks and work schedule, suitable for self-motivated individuals.

  • Technology: Requires a reliable personal computer, internet connection, and the ability to install necessary software (e.g., WordPress access, potentially design tools).

  • Collaboration: Communication will primarily be digital via email, video conferencing (e.g., Zoom, Teams), and potentially project management tools. Regular interaction with faculty and lab members is expected.

Work Schedule:

  • Part-time as defined by the project needs and grant funding.

  • Flexible hours are likely, provided deadlines are met and availability for scheduled meetings is maintained.

  • The grant is funded through August 31, 2026, defining the expected duration of the work.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The 100% remote nature is a significant aspect of this role's work environment, offering flexibility but also requiring strong self-management and communication skills. The focus is on digital collaboration and asynchronous work where possible.

πŸ“„ Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

  • Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess qualifications, relevant experience (especially with WordPress), and alignment with project needs.

  • Skills Assessment: Potentially a brief technical assessment or a discussion focused on practical web design scenarios, HTML/CSS application, and

WordPress proficiency.

  • Interview: An interview (likely via video conference) with faculty members from the Department of Criminal Justice and/or representatives from the Public Policy Lab. This will focus on:

    • Your understanding of the project's goals and target audience.
    • Your approach to front-end design, content implementation, and user experience.
    • Your experience with WordPress and related tools.
    • Your ability to work independently and collaboratively.
    • Your availability and commitment to the project timeline.
  • Reference Check: Verification of previous employment and performance.

Portfolio Review Tips:

  • Curate Selectively: Choose 2-3 of your strongest WordPress projects that best showcase front-end design, content implementation, and responsive design capabilities.

  • Highlight Relevance: Emphasize projects that involved content management, user-friendly navigation, or visual consistency improvements, similar to the ARCvi project goals.

  • Showcase WordPress Skills: Clearly indicate your role and contributions to each project, especially detailing your use of WordPress themes, page builders, and plugins.

  • Prepare to Discuss: Be ready to walk through your portfolio, explaining your design choices, problem-solving approaches, and the outcomes achieved for each project.

  • Accessibility: Ensure your portfolio is easily accessible online (e.g., a personal website, Behance, or a shared document with links and screenshots).

Challenge Preparation:

  • Familiarize yourself with the goals of the ARCvi project and the general mission of Temple University's Criminal Justice Department.

  • Review common WordPress page builders (Gutenberg, Elementor, Divi) and be prepared to discuss your experience with them.

  • Brush up on basic HTML and CSS for quick content formatting and layout adjustments.

  • Think about how you would approach improving visual consistency and user-friendliness on an existing or new website.

  • Be ready to articulate your understanding of responsive design principles.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The interview process for a university project like this will likely be thorough but potentially less corporate than a large tech company. Emphasis will be on practical skills, understanding the project's mission, and an academic/research-oriented approach to problem-solving. A strong, relevant portfolio is key.

πŸ›  Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

  • Content Management System: WordPress (essential, with experience in themes, pages, and plugins).

  • Page Builders: Familiarity with Elementor, Gutenberg, Divi, or similar drag-and-drop WordPress page builders.

  • Front-End Technologies: Basic proficiency in HTML and CSS for structuring content and making minor design adjustments.

Analytics & Reporting:

  • While not explicitly stated as a primary requirement, an understanding of how web analytics (e.g., Google Analytics) might be used to track website performance and user engagement would be beneficial.

CRM & Automation:

Other Potentially Useful Tools (Preferred Skills):

  • Programming Languages: Java, Python, C#, or C++ (basic understanding).

  • Databases: Basic understanding of SQL.

  • Operating Systems: Familiarity with Windows or Linux environments.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The technology stack is heavily centered around WordPress. While programming languages and SQL are listed as preferred, the core requirement is strong WordPress proficiency and front-end fundamentals. This is typical for roles focused on content-heavy websites within academic or non-profit sectors.

πŸ‘₯ Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

  • Mission-Driven: A strong commitment to supporting the goals of the Criminal Justice Department and the broader mission of reducing community violence.

  • Collaboration: Emphasis on working effectively with faculty, researchers, and project stakeholders to achieve shared objectives.

  • User-Centricity: A focus on creating a user-friendly and accessible website that effectively serves the needs of community and government agencies.

  • Detail-Oriented: Precision in design, content formatting, and technical implementation to ensure a high-quality digital product.

  • Reliability & Flexibility: As a temporary, part-time role, dependability and adaptability to project needs are crucial.

Collaboration Style:

  • Academic Partnership: Working closely with university faculty, which often involves iterative feedback, research-informed decisions, and a structured but potentially flexible approach.

  • Project-Focused: Collaboration will be centered around the specific goals and deadlines of the ARCvi website project.

  • Remote Teamwork: Utilizing digital communication tools to maintain connection and facilitate project progress despite geographical separation.

  • Independent Work: The role requires significant self-direction and the ability to manage tasks autonomously.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The culture is likely to be academic, mission-focused, and collaborative, with a strong emphasis on delivering a functional and impactful digital resource. Candidates should be comfortable working with university faculty and researchers.

⚑ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

  • Project Scope & Timeline: Managing design and content implementation tasks within the defined grant period (ending August 31, 2026) and potentially evolving project requirements.

  • Remote Collaboration: Effectively communicating and collaborating with a remote team and academic stakeholders without in-person interaction.

  • Balancing Multiple Tasks: Juggling design, content uploading, testing, and troubleshooting responsibilities as a part-time employee.

  • Technical Nuances: Navigating WordPress functionalities, theme limitations, and plugin compatibility to achieve desired design outcomes.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

  • WordPress Mastery: Gaining deeper practical experience with WordPress features, themes, and plugins in a real-world application.

  • Front-End Skill Refinement: Improving proficiency in HTML and CSS through practical application and problem-solving.

  • UX/UI Exposure: Learning about user experience and user interface design principles by focusing on website usability and visual consistency.

  • Project Management: Developing skills in managing tasks, prioritizing work, and meeting deadlines for a specific project.

  • Social Impact Project Experience: Contributing to a project with a clear social mission, which can be highly rewarding and add significant value to a professional resume.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: The primary challenges are typical for temporary, remote roles focused on project delivery. The growth opportunities are substantial for someone looking to build practical web development skills and gain experience on a mission-driven project.

πŸ’‘ Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

  • "Describe your experience with WordPress. What themes, page builders, and plugins have you used extensively?" (Prepare to showcase examples from your portfolio.)

  • "Walk me through a project where you were responsible for front-end design and content implementation. What was your process?" (Focus on translating requirements, layout, content formatting, and visual consistency.)

  • "How do you approach ensuring a website is user-friendly and responsive across different devices?" (Discuss your understanding of responsive design principles and testing methods.)

  • "Imagine you need to make a page visually consistent with other pages on the site. What steps would you take?" (Prepare to discuss applying styling, hierarchy, and branding elements.)

Company & Culture Questions:

  • "What interests you about this role and Temple University's Criminal Justice Department's project on community violence intervention?" (Research the ARCvi project and the department's mission.)

  • "How do you handle working independently on a remote team?" (Emphasize your self-discipline, communication skills, and reliability.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

  • Select Best Fits: Choose 2-3 projects that best demonstrate your WordPress, front-end design, and content implementation skills relevant to the ARCvi project.

  • Tell a Story: For each project, explain the objective, your role, the challenges you faced, your design process, and the outcome or impact.

  • Highlight WordPress: Clearly articulate your use of WordPress themes, page builders, and plugins.

  • Showcase Responsiveness: Demonstrate how your designs adapt to different screen sizes.

  • Be Prepared for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your design choices, technical approach, and problem-solving strategies.

πŸ“ Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on practical application of WordPress skills, understanding the project's mission, and demonstrating strong remote work capabilities. A well-prepared portfolio walkthrough is critical.

πŸ“Œ Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

  • Submit your application through the provided link on the Temple University Taleo career portal.

  • Portfolio Customization: Ensure your resume and portfolio are tailored to highlight your WordPress experience, front-end design skills, content implementation capabilities, and any relevant project-based work. Prioritize examples that demonstrate responsive design and user-friendly layouts.

  • Resume Optimization: Craft your resume to clearly list your years of experience with WordPress, HTML, CSS, and any relevant page builders. Use keywords from the job description to ensure ATS compatibility. Quantify achievements where possible (e.g., "Improved site speed by X%," "Managed content for Y number of pages").

  • Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your web design process, especially how you approach layout, content formatting, and ensuring visual consistency. Prepare to discuss your experience with WordPress and responsive design in detail.

  • Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Temple University, its mission, the Department of Criminal Justice, and the goals of the ARCvi project. Understanding the context will help you tailor your responses during the interview and demonstrate genuine interest.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

Application Requirements

Candidates must have a bachelor's degree in a relevant field and at least two years of experience in web design, particularly with WordPress. Additional preferred skills include experience with programming languages and basic SQL understanding.