Web Developer / WordPress Administrator (Ad-Hoc / As-Needed)
About Us:
Formtek, Inc. provides enterprise-level data and content management solutions. We are seeking a detail-oriented, technically sound part-time Web Developer / WordPress Administrator to help maintain, secure, and update our online web presence. This is an ad-hoc, as-needed position perfect for an engineering or computer science student looking to gain hands-on production experience handling critical infrastructure upgrades for established web properties.
Position Overview:
You will be responsible for managing and maintaining two closely tied WordPress properties: our primary corporate website (www.formtek.com) and our companion tech blog (formtek.com/blog). Both properties utilize a unified, custom legacy theme. Because these sites are hosted on a modern ScalaHosting environment running older core configurations, we need a developer who understands legacy PHP structures, plugin dependencies, and cautious deployment practices.
Key Responsibilities:
- Plugin & Security Management: Review, test, and apply updates to over 25 installed plugins (including Wordfence Security, All-in-One Security, and UpdraftPlus). Troubleshoot any plugin conflicts that arise due to legacy theme architectural dependencies.
- Backup & Disaster Recovery Verification: Maintain and optimize automated backups via UpdraftPlus, including migrating backups from local disk storage to remote cloud storage (e.g., AWS S3, Google Drive).
- Troubleshooting Theme Architecture: Handle minor modifications within custom, legacy PHP page templates and WordPress widgets (rather than the modern Gutenberg block editor). This includes manual theme-file updates (such as updating legacy Google Analytics trackers or footer copyright scopes).
- SEO & Scan Maintenance: Review and resolve malware scan anomalies flagged by Wordfence and assist in completing configuration setups for plugins like All in One SEO (AIOSEO) to ensure optimal indexing.
- Content Support Adjustments: Occasionally assist with minor page template adjustments or address known database/UI conflicts within customized plugins (such as WP Better Attachments).
- Core & Environment Upgrades: Safely plan, test, and execute a critical upgrade of our server environment from PHP 7.4.33 to PHP 8.3+ , alongside updating WordPress Core to version 7.0 across both properties.
Qualifications & Skills:
- WordPress Expertise: Strong familiarity with WordPress administration, dashboard tools, backup restoration, and plugin conflict resolution.
- Backend & Server Environments: Proficiency in PHP (specifically handling migrations and compatibility from older versions like 7.x to 8.x). Familiarity with hosting control panels (ScalaHosting SPanel or similar) is a plus.
- Front-End Development: Solid understanding of HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and writing clean, structured PHP code inside theme files (e.g., footer.php, customized templates).
- Security Mindset: Understanding of web security best practices, including configuring Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) and responding to firewall alerts/malware scans.
- Self-Starter & Cautious: Ability to work independently with meticulous documentation. You understand the critical importance of creating a full, verified backup before modifying any live database or theme files.
What We Offer:
- Ultimate Flexibility: True ad-hoc schedule. Work fits entirely around your midterms, finals, and project schedules.
- Real-World Resume Builder: Tackle a complex, real production environment where you will execute major security hardening and infrastructure upgrades.
- Direct Impact: Work directly with senior company stakeholders who value your technical insights.
Other
- Job Type: Part-Time / Temporary / Contract
- Work Authorization: Remote (SF Bay Area preferred)
- Estimated Hours: Ad-hoc, as-needed (estimated 5–10 hours per month or per specific maintenance milestone)
- Compensation: Competitive Hourly Rate (dependent on experience)