Web Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Web Designer

Company: University of New Mexico

Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States

Job Type: Staff - Regular - Full-Time

Category: Web Design & Development Operations

Date Posted: August 20, 2026

Experience Level: 2-5 years

Remote Status: Hybrid/Remote Eligible

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is crucial for maintaining and enhancing the digital presence of key university departments, focusing on web design, development, and content management.

• It requires a blend of technical proficiency in web development languages and a strong understanding of user experience, accessibility, and visual design principles.

• The position involves significant collaboration with stakeholders to ensure websites meet organizational goals and provide effective online services.

• Success in this role relies on the ability to manage multiple projects, troubleshoot technical issues, and stay abreast of evolving web technologies and trends.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is classified under "Web Design & Development Operations" to highlight its operational focus on maintaining and improving digital infrastructure, rather than purely creative design. The "Hybrid/Remote Eligible" status is noted due to the explicit mention of remote work agreements after the probationary period.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain dynamic and static web pages and web-based content for the Registrar, Admissions & Recruitment, and Financial Aid offices, ensuring alignment with university branding and strategic objectives.

• Create, edit, organize, and adapt diverse content types for optimal online presentation, adhering to editorial standards and accessibility guidelines.

• Develop and implement new website pages and features using core web technologies including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and PHP, ensuring robust and efficient functionality.

• Maintain the overall structure, templates, internal/external links, images, and databases of assigned websites to guarantee content accuracy, integrity, and up-to-dateness.

• Apply and enforce web accessibility (WCAG 2.x), usability, navigation, performance, and visual design standards to enhance user experience across all platforms.

• Proactively research emerging web technologies, standards, and trends, recommending and implementing improvements to website functionality and design.

• Diagnose and troubleshoot website issues, resolving technical problems efficiently to minimize disruption to users and stakeholders.

• Develop comprehensive layouts and content for new website sections, features, and initiatives, supporting departmental and institutional goals.

• Monitor and analyze website traffic using tools like Google Analytics, generating reports to identify trends and opportunities for UX optimization.

• Manage multiple concurrent projects, prioritizing tasks and timelines effectively while working both independently and collaboratively within the Enrollment Management Reporting Team (EMRT).

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities have been detailed to emphasize the operational aspects of web design, including maintenance, troubleshooting, and performance analysis, which are critical for operations roles. The inclusion of specific university departments (Registrar, Admissions & Recruitment, Financial Aid) provides context for the types of web applications and data management involved.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: High School Diploma or GED. Completed degrees from an accredited institution may substitute for experience on a year-for-year basis.

Experience: At least 3 years of experience directly related to web design, development, and content management.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in core web development languages: HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

• Experience with a server-side scripting language, such as PHP.

• Demonstrated ability to design, develop, and maintain websites and web content.

• Understanding of web accessibility standards and best practices (e.g., WCAG 2.x).

• Experience in content creation, editing, and organization for online platforms.

• Familiarity with troubleshooting website technical issues and resolving problems.

• Ability to manage multiple projects, timelines, and priorities effectively.

• Strong organizational skills and the capacity to work both independently and as part of a team. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with responsive web design for desktop, tablet, and mobile devices.

• Familiarity with web hosting control panels, such as cPanel.

• Experience administering and maintaining websites through a Content Management System (CMS), preferably Cascade CMS or similar enterprise-level systems.

• Working knowledge of accessible HTML, semantic markup, color contrast, and accessible forms.

• Experience working with RESTful APIs, including understanding API structure, endpoints, HTTP methods, authentication, and JSON data.

• Experience utilizing web analytics and traffic tools, such as Google Analytics, to inform website improvements.

• Experience with website quality assurance and governance platforms like Siteimprove.

• Proficiency with version control systems, such as Git, for managing website code and development workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The distinction between required and preferred skills is critical. Required skills reflect the fundamental technical and operational competencies, while preferred skills indicate areas where the candidate can bring advanced capabilities and immediately contribute to complex projects, such as API integration and advanced CMS experience.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrated Web Development Projects: Showcase a range of projects that highlight your ability to design, develop, and deploy functional websites. Include examples of static and dynamic pages, interactive elements, and responsive design implementations.

• Content Management System (CMS) Experience: Provide examples of websites managed or built using CMS platforms. If possible, detail your experience with specific CMS like Cascade or similar enterprise-level systems, illustrating your ability to manage content workflows and templates.

• Accessibility & Usability Focus: Include case studies or specific project examples where you implemented WCAG 2.x standards or other accessibility best practices. Detail how you ensured usability across different devices and user groups.

• Technical Proficiency Showcase: Demonstrate your command of HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and PHP through code samples or live project links. Highlight any experience with API integrations or data handling (e.g., JSON).

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Present examples of how you have documented and optimized web development workflows, from initial planning and content gathering to development, testing, and deployment.

• Implementation & Automation: Detail any instances where you implemented new web features, automated repetitive tasks in the development process, or integrated third-party services.

• Measurement & Performance Analysis: Showcase how you have used analytics (e.g., Google Analytics) and quality assurance tools (e.g., Siteimprove) to measure website performance, identify issues, and drive improvements.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Web Designer role, especially within an educational institution focused on reporting and enrollment management, a portfolio is paramount. This section emphasizes demonstrating practical application of skills, process optimization, and data-driven decision-making, aligning with operational excellence.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $24.04 - $29.33 per hour. This range reflects the hourly pay for a Staff position at the University of New Mexico, with the specific rate determined by qualifications and experience within this band.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Medical, dental, and vision insurance plans to support employee well-being.

• Life Insurance: Provided to offer financial security for employees and their families.

• Educational Assistance: Access to tuition remission and dependent education programs, offering significant value for employees and their families pursuing higher education.

• Retirement Contributions: Mandatory retirement contributions as per the New Mexico Education Retirement Act for eligible employees, contributing to long-term financial planning.

• Paid Time Off: Implicitly provided for regular staff positions, though specific details are not listed, typically includes vacation, sick leave, and holidays.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, standard full-time employment. The role offers potential for hybrid or remote arrangements after a probationary period, subject to department approval and successful demonstration of work performance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is provided directly from the input. The benefits are detailed to highlight their value proposition for employees, particularly the educational benefits which are a strong draw for university roles. The working hours and remote work eligibility are clarified based on the provided text.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Higher Education (Public University)

Company Size: Large (University of New Mexico is a major institution with extensive staff and student populations)

Founded: The University of New Mexico was founded in 1889, providing a long history and established institutional framework.

Team Structure:

• Enrollment Management Reporting Team (EMRT): This specialized team within the university focuses on data and web support for critical enrollment functions.

• Reporting & Data Focus: The team's primary function is to support Registrar, Admissions & Recruitment, and Financial Aid offices, indicating a data-centric and service-oriented operational environment.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: The Web Designer will collaborate with various university departments and stakeholders, requiring strong communication and partnership skills to align web strategies with diverse departmental needs.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Web Development: The role emphasizes using website traffic analysis (Google Analytics) and quality assurance tools (Siteimprove) to inform design and content decisions, promoting a data-driven approach to web operations.

• Process Standardization & Optimization: The requirement for consistent visual and editorial standards, along with troubleshooting and issue resolution, points to a need for standardized processes and continuous improvement in web management.

• User-Centric Design: A core aspect of the role is ensuring websites are engaging, accessible, and mobile-friendly, reflecting a user-centric operational philosophy.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The context of a large public university like UNM is vital. It implies a structured environment with established policies, a commitment to public service, and a diverse user base. The EMRT team's focus on enrollment management suggests a need for accuracy, reliability, and efficiency in their digital operations.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is an intermediate-level position, indicated by the "Position Grade 11" and the requirement for 3+ years of direct experience. It sits within a specialized operational unit (EMRT) focused on critical university functions. The role is operational in nature, managing and enhancing digital assets that support student enrollment processes.

Reporting Structure: The Web Designer reports to EMRT Management. This suggests a clear line of authority and a structured reporting mechanism within the team, common in university administrative departments.

Operations Impact: The Web Designer's work directly impacts the student experience from initial inquiry through enrollment and financial aid processes. By ensuring websites are accessible, user-friendly, and informative, this role contributes to:

• Improved student recruitment and retention rates.

• Enhanced efficiency of administrative processes for students and staff.

• Accurate dissemination of critical information related to admissions, registration, and financial aid.

• Upholding the university's commitment to accessibility and digital inclusion. Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas like advanced web accessibility, CMS administration (Cascade), API integrations, or data analytics for web performance.

• Project Leadership: With proven success, opportunities may arise to lead specific web development initiatives or manage larger projects within EMRT.

• Cross-Departmental Mobility: Experience gained in a central operational unit like EMRT can be a stepping stone to other IT, web development, or administrative roles within different departments across the university.

• Remote Work Advancement: Successful performance during the probationary period can lead to formal hybrid or remote work agreements, offering greater flexibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: This analysis focuses on how a Web Designer role at a university functions within an operational context, emphasizing its impact on student services and administrative efficiency. Growth opportunities are framed within the context of a large, structured organization like a university.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The initial phase requires on-site training in the Enrollment Management Office. Post-probationary period, the role is eligible for a Remote Work Agreement (RWA), allowing for hybrid, in-state, or out-of-state arrangements, subject to department approval.

Office Location(s): Main Campus - Albuquerque, NM. The physical location is the University of New Mexico's main campus at 1155 University Blvd SE, Albuquerque, NM 87131. Remote arrangements are possible after the initial training period.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The role requires collaboration within the EMRT team and with various university stakeholders, suggesting an environment that values teamwork and communication.

• Technology & Tools: Access to standard university IT infrastructure, including web development software, CMS platforms, and analytics tools. The specific stack includes HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, potentially Cascade CMS, cPanel, Google Analytics, Siteimprove, and Git.

• Operational Focus: The workspace supports the operational needs of maintaining and improving digital assets crucial for student services, requiring a focus on reliability, accuracy, and user experience.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time (40 hours/week). While initially on-site, the potential for hybrid or remote work offers flexibility in how and where the work is performed after the probationary period, accommodating different work styles and life needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section clarifies the evolving work environment from initial on-site training to potential remote flexibility, which is a key aspect of modern operational roles. It emphasizes the blend of collaborative and independent work, supported by institutional technology.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Application Submission: Submit through the official UNMJobs site, including a cover letter, resume, portfolio, and references.

• Initial Screening: Applications will be reviewed for minimum qualifications and preferred skills. Emphasis will be placed on the quality and relevance of the submitted portfolio.

• Technical Assessment/Portfolio Review: Candidates may be asked to present their portfolio, discuss specific projects, and potentially complete a technical exercise or coding challenge related to web design and development. This assesses practical skills and problem-solving abilities.

• Behavioral & Situational Interviews: Interviews will likely focus on assessing collaboration skills, problem-solving approaches, understanding of accessibility and user experience, and how candidates handle project management and stakeholder communication.

• Final Interview: May involve meeting with additional team members or management to assess cultural fit and overall suitability for the role within the EMRT.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate for Relevance: Select projects that best demonstrate your proficiency in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, responsive design, and accessibility standards. Prioritize projects that align with the needs of a university enrollment management department (e.g., informational sites, application portals, data visualization).

• Showcase Process & Impact: For each project, clearly articulate your role, the problem you solved, your design and development process, the technologies used, and the outcome or impact (e.g., improved user engagement, reduced bounce rates, enhanced accessibility scores).

• Highlight Accessibility & Usability: Dedicate a section or specific examples to your experience with WCAG 2.x compliance, semantic HTML, and creating user-friendly interfaces across devices.

• Provide Live Links & Descriptions: Ensure all links are functional. For each project, include a brief description of its purpose, your contributions, and key features. If direct links are not feasible, provide well-annotated screenshots or mockups.

• Technical Documentation: Briefly explain the technical stack used for each project and any challenges overcome.

Challenge Preparation:

• Website Audit: Be prepared to audit a given university webpage for accessibility, usability, and design consistency, and propose improvements.

• Mockup/Wireframing: You might be asked to create a basic wireframe or mockup for a new web feature or page based on a given scenario.

• Code Snippet Review: Be ready to review and explain functional or non-functional code snippets related to HTML, CSS, or JavaScript.

• Scenario-Based Problem Solving: Prepare to discuss how you would approach a specific web development challenge, such as integrating a new API, improving page load speed, or ensuring compliance with new accessibility guidelines.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides actionable advice tailored to a Web Designer role, emphasizing the portfolio's importance and the types of technical and behavioral assessments common in such positions, particularly within an academic setting.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Web Development Languages: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP are foundational. Proficiency in these is essential for building and maintaining web pages.

• Content Management Systems (CMS): Experience with enterprise-level CMS like Cascade is highly preferred. Familiarity with administering websites through control panels like cPanel is also beneficial.

• Version Control Systems: Git is preferred for managing code, content, and development workflows, ensuring collaborative and organized development processes.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics Platforms: Google Analytics or similar platforms are crucial for monitoring website traffic, user behavior, and performance metrics. The ability to interpret this data to drive improvements is key.

• Website Quality Assurance: Tools like Siteimprove are preferred for ongoing monitoring of web accessibility, content quality, broken links, and SEO performance.

CRM & Automation:

• RESTful APIs & JSON: Experience working with RESTful APIs and understanding JSON data is preferred for integrating with other university systems or third-party services. While not a CRM itself, this points to the need for data exchange capabilities.

• Web Hosting Control Panels: cPanel or similar tools are used for managing web hosting environments, domains, and associated services.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section consolidates the technical requirements from the job description, categorizing them by function (Development, Analytics, Management) to provide a clear overview of the technology stack and the expected level of proficiency.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Accuracy & Reliability: As part of the Enrollment Management Reporting Team, there's a strong emphasis on delivering accurate information and maintaining reliable web services that students and staff depend on.

• User-Centricity & Accessibility: The university likely values providing an inclusive and accessible digital experience for all users, including students with disabilities. This translates to a commitment to WCAG standards and user-friendly design.

• Efficiency & Optimization: The role involves improving website performance and user experience, indicating a value placed on operational efficiency and continuous improvement through data-driven insights.

• Collaboration & Service: Working within a university setting, especially with departments like Registrar, Admissions, and Financial Aid, necessitates a collaborative spirit and a commitment to serving the needs of students, faculty, and staff.

• Innovation & Adaptability: The expectation to research emerging web technologies suggests a culture that embraces learning and adapting to new tools and trends to enhance digital services.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Partnerships: The Web Designer will work closely with EMRT colleagues, departmental stakeholders, and potentially IT services to plan, develop, and maintain websites. This requires strong interpersonal skills and the ability to translate user needs into technical solutions.

• Feedback Integration: A culture that encourages feedback on website performance and user experience is implied, with the expectation that the designer will incorporate this feedback into iterative improvements.

• Knowledge Sharing: Within the EMRT, there will likely be opportunities for sharing best practices, troubleshooting techniques, and new web development strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section infers cultural values based on the context of a university, the specific department's function, and the requirements of the Web Designer role. It focuses on how these values translate into daily operations and team interactions.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Stakeholder Needs: Managing diverse requirements from different university departments (Registrar, Admissions, Financial Aid) while maintaining consistent standards and technical feasibility.

• Keeping Pace with Technology: The rapidly evolving landscape of web design, development, and accessibility standards requires continuous learning and adaptation.

• Ensuring Universal Accessibility: Consistently meeting and exceeding WCAG 2.x standards across a wide range of content and functionalities can be complex.

• Resource Constraints: As a public institution, there may be budget or resource limitations that require creative solutions and prioritization.

• Legacy Systems & Content: Integrating new designs and functionalities with existing university infrastructure or migrating older web content can present technical hurdles.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Web Technologies: Opportunities to deepen knowledge in areas like modern JavaScript frameworks, API integrations, or server-side technologies.

• Web Accessibility Specialization: Becoming an expert in web accessibility compliance and best practices, potentially leading to certifications or internal consulting roles.

• Content Management System Expertise: Gaining in-depth knowledge of Cascade CMS or other enterprise-level platforms, becoming a go-to resource for content management.

• Data Analytics for Web: Developing advanced skills in interpreting web analytics to drive strategic website improvements and user experience enhancements.

• Project Management Skills: Opportunities to take on more responsibility in project planning, execution, and stakeholder management.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section identifies potential challenges inherent in the role and the organization, framing them as opportunities for skill development and professional growth, which is valuable for candidates evaluating long-term career prospects.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Web Design & Development: "Describe a complex website you designed and developed. What were the primary technical challenges, and how did you overcome them using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and PHP?" "How do you approach responsive web design to ensure optimal user experience across all devices?" "Walk me through your process for ensuring a website meets WCAG 2.x accessibility standards."

• Problem-Solving & Operations: "Imagine a key university department website is experiencing high bounce rates and low user engagement. How would you use tools like Google Analytics to diagnose the problem and propose solutions?" "How would you handle conflicting design or content requests from multiple university departments?"

• Technical Skills & Tools: "Describe your experience with [specific CMS like Cascade] or similar enterprise content management systems." "How have you used version control systems like Git in your development workflow?" "Explain your understanding of RESTful APIs and how you might use them in a university context."

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working for the University of New Mexico, specifically within the Enrollment Management Reporting Team?" "How do you stay updated on emerging web technologies and design trends?" "Describe a time you had to collaborate with non-technical stakeholders to achieve a project goal."

• "What is your understanding of the importance of web accessibility in an educational institution?" "How do you prioritize tasks when managing multiple projects with competing deadlines?" Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, start with the objective, your role, the problem, your solution, and the results. Clearly articulate the technical choices you made and why.

• Highlight Key Skills: Explicitly point out how your portfolio pieces demonstrate proficiency in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, responsive design, and accessibility.

• Showcase Process: Explain your design and development workflow for each project, including wireframing, content strategy, coding, testing, and deployment.

• Data & Impact: If possible, present metrics or data that demonstrate the success of your projects (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced load times, positive user feedback).

• Be Ready for Live Demos: Have links readily available and be prepared to navigate through your work, explaining features and code snippets as needed.

📝 Enhancement Note: This preparation guide focuses on anticipating questions related to core web design responsibilities, operational problem-solving within a university context, and effective portfolio presentation. It emphasizes demonstrating both technical aptitude and an understanding of the role's operational impact.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Web Designer position:

• Submit your application exclusively through the official UNMJobs site. Ensure all required documents are uploaded:

  • Cover Letter: Tailor this to specifically address your qualifications and genuine interest in this Web Designer role at the University of New Mexico, highlighting your understanding of the Enrollment Management Reporting Team's function.
  • Resume: Provide a comprehensive work history, including exact start and end dates (Month/Year) and hours worked per week for each position. Quantify achievements where possible.
  • Portfolio: Curate a selection of your best web design and development work. Ensure it clearly demonstrates your skills in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, responsive design, and accessibility. Include live links or well-annotated examples.
  • References: List at least three professional references. For external candidates, include three previous supervisors. For internal candidates, include two previous supervisors.

• Prepare for Technical and Behavioral Interviews: Anticipate questions about your technical skills, web development process, problem-solving abilities, and experience with accessibility standards. Be ready to present and discuss your portfolio in detail.

• Research UNM and EMRT: Familiarize yourself with the University of New Mexico's mission, values, and the specific departments this role supports (Registrar, Admissions, Financial Aid). Understand the operational context of the Enrollment Management Reporting Team.

⚠️ 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.