In A Nutshell
Support OpenAQ in a limited-duration (2-year) role supporting a data visualization project for Breathe Cities, a global initiative that brings together data, communities, and city decision-makers to cut urban air pollution.
Responsibilities
Application & Visualization Development
- Translate design concepts, wireframes, and user research into highly functional, responsive, and accessible web applications.
- Develop and implement dynamic, high-impact data visualizations to translate complex air quality data into clear, understandable insights.
- Build and maintain high-performance, interactive mapping applications to display global, location-based air quality data.
Data & Systems Engineering
- Develop and support backend tools, APIs, and data processing pipelines to ingest, validate, and serve new air quality data sources.
- Query the OpenAQ database to efficiently support new features and application performance.
- Monitor and optimize application performance bottlenecks, from database queries to front-end rendering, to ensure a performant experience for users.
Collaboration & Quality Assurance
- Provide technical expertise during design reviews and stakeholder meetings, offering insights on feasibility, implementation strategy, and technical tradeoffs.
- Establish and maintain code quality, documentation, and robust testing practices to ensure application stability and maintainability through iterative development cycles.
- Integrate feedback from designers, stakeholders, and user testing sessions directly into subsequent development sprints to iteratively refine and improve features.
Skillset
- You have at least 3 years of professional experience in full stack web development.
- You have a bachelor’s degree or higher (this qualification can be met through other professional, educational, and lived experience).
- Strong JavaScript/TypeScript skills.
- Experience working with modern JavaScript frameworks (React, Vue, SolidJS), with flexibility to work in new frameworks as needed.
- Experience developing data visualizations using d3.js and other JavaScript-based libraries.
- Experience developing interactive maps using libraries like MapboxGL, MapLibreGL, OpenLayers, etc.
- Experience working with relational databases and SQL (we use PostgreSQL).
- You are able to manage multiple projects while keeping a “big picture” strategic view.
- You are accountable and take pride in delivering work products on time.
- You enjoy working collaboratively and have a positive, flexible attitude when working with a team.
- You care deeply about improving global air quality and ensuring equal access to clean air.
- You have a passion for OpenAQ’s and Breathe Cities’ mission.
- You understand the concepts of institutional and structural racism and bias and are committed to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion.
- You are excited about the opportunity to work at a fast-paced nonprofit.