IT Assistant Programmer

About the Role

The User Experience Specialist supports the quality and continuous improvement of KU’s digital ecosystem by providing technical expertise in user experience, website quality assurance, accessibility, analytics, information architecture, and digital optimization across KU websites and applications.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct prelaunch UX/QA reviews of Sunflower CMS and other KU websites using established standards for accessibility, content, information architecture, branding, and SEO.
• Document findings, track remediation, and validate corrections prior to launch.
• Maintain and improve review checklists, templates, and procedures.
• Collaborate with KU IT and campus partners to support launch readiness and risk mitigation.
• Use tools such as Google Analytics 4, Microsoft Clarity, and DubBot to analyze website performance and user behavior.
• Develop reports and dashboards and translate analytics findings into actionable recommendations.
• Conduct SEO and website quality audits and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Support emerging practices in Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) and AI Optimization (AIO), including structured content and metadata.
• Partner with UX, development, and content teams to implement and evaluate improvements.
• Consult with campus partners to improve the usability, accessibility, organization, and consistency of websites and digital experiences.
• Apply UX, content, information architecture, branding, and SEO best practices to recommend improvements.
• Assist with usability research, governance, documentation, training, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Participate in KU IT standards and cross-functional committees as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• High School Diploma/GED and four years of relevant professional experience OR an Associate’s degree and two years of relevant professional experience OR a Bachelor’s degree.
• At least one year of experience applying website accessibility concepts or standards, such as WCAG.
• At least six months of professional experience performing UX/UI-related tasks.
• Experience communicating technical findings and recommendations to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Experience with Google Analytics 4, Microsoft Clarity, DubBot, or similar analytics and website quality tools.
• Experience conducting website QA or UX reviews using established standards or checklists.
• Knowledge of SEO practices, including metadata, content structure, internal linking, and indexing.
• Experience with GEO/AIO concepts and structured content, including schema.org and JSON-LD.
• Experience with a CMS, preferably Drupal, and basic HTML/CSS.
• Experience with accessibility testing tools and document accessibility.
• Knowledge of UX research methods and analytics-based experimentation.
• Experience supporting higher education websites or collaborating with marketing/communications teams.
• Experience communicating technical findings and recommendations to technical and non-technical audiences.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma/GED or Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree.
• Relevant professional experience (years vary based on education level).
• At least one year of experience applying website accessibility concepts or standards (e.g., WCAG).
• At least six months of professional experience performing UX/UI-related tasks.
• Experience communicating technical findings and recommendations to technical and non-technical audiences.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Informatics, Information Technology, Digital Media, Human-Computer Interaction, Marketing Analytics, Interaction Design, User Experience, User Interface, or a related field.
• Experience with Google Analytics 4, Microsoft Clarity, DubBot, or similar analytics and website quality tools.
• Experience conducting website QA or UX reviews.
• Knowledge of SEO practices.
• Experience with GEO/AIO concepts and structured content.
• Experience with a CMS, preferably Drupal, and basic HTML/CSS.
• Experience with accessibility testing tools.
• Knowledge of UX research methods.
• Experience supporting higher education websites or collaborating with marketing/communications teams.