Website Developer

WHO ARE WE?

Special Olympics Ontario (SOO) is a non-profit organization that provides year-round sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Our mission is to create an inclusive community by offering athletes the opportunity to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and build lasting relationships.

With over 23,000 athletes and 7,500 volunteers across the province, we are committed to building diverse, equitable, and inclusive communities that celebrate the abilities of every individual.

POSITION OVERVIEW

We are seeking a Web Developer (12-month Project Term) to play a key hands-on role in the redevelopment and modernization of Special Olympics Ontario's website ecosystem.

Working closely with our senior IT resource, internal stakeholders, and external partners, this role will help assess our current website environment, define the technical framework for our future websites, and support the development, implementation, testing, migration, and launch of a modern, accessible and sustainable digital platform.

This is a hands-on development role for someone who enjoys both building and problem-solving. The successful candidate will contribute to decisions regarding website architecture, platforms, tools and technical solutions while also developing and configuring website functionality, troubleshooting existing systems, supporting content migration, and helping establish the standards and governance required for long-term website management.

The role will have the opportunity to help shape our future website environment rather than simply maintain an existing platform.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Contribute to the development, implementation, and launch of a new organizational website(s).
• Support project activities, timelines, and deliverables related to website redevelopment initiatives.
• Gather and document business requirements and translate them into website solutions.
• Develop and configure website pages, content structures, navigation, forms, and functionality within the selected platform.
• Work collaboratively with external vendors, designers, developers, IT staff, and internal stakeholders.
• Support content migration, testing, quality assurance, and deployment activities.
• Ensure compliance with accessibility standards, organizational branding, and digital best practices.
• Monitor website performance and implement continuous improvements following launch.
• Develop technical documentation, governance processes, and training resources to support ongoing website management.
• · Compile monthly Web Trends Analysis Reports for submission to management identifying quantitative measures of website usages.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Post-secondary education in Web Development, Digital Communications, Information Technology, Project Management, or a related field.

To the candidate: the following additional background information on our technical environment should elaborate further the Key Skills requirement section that follows.

Technical Working Environment

We host our external web assets on our own self-built IT infrastructure, i.e. we do not outsource to third party providers. The successful candidate will work closely with our IT provisioning team with a direct link to the network/website layers. This will allow the developer to fully maximize his/her developing ability in an open environment. We do not limit the choice of platforms, languages, tools provided there is good justification of efficiency, efficacy, sustainability, compliance to all relevant regulatory and security fulfillments. Currently our external websites work primarily in the following technical specifications. Hence, fluency in them would be absolutely crucial for the developer to quickly understand our structure to solve current website issues, make future enhancement, rebuild current websites, and build new websites.

General External Website Environment Specification:

• OS/Webserver: Current version of Linux with Apache 2.
• Primary Languages/Database: PHP, Javascript, HTML, CSS, MySQL
• CMS: Wordpress, Open to other platforms, e.g. Joomla, Drupal, etc.
• Although lower layers of OS management and maintenance are performed by our IT staff, the developer’s overall understanding of the OS is desirable for him/her to be able to access the pertaining data for backup, restore, and other necessary action at the OS level.

Key Skills:

• Experience in website development or website redevelopment projects.
• Hands-on working experience with webserver OS Linux, Windows Server
• Hands-on working experience with database servers: MySQL, MS SQL
• Hands-on coding ability in PHP, Javascript, HTML, CSS
• Hands-on experience with using Google Analytics to produce meaningful Web Trends Reports
• Hands-on experience working within website content management systems (CMS) such as WordPress, Drupal, Sitecore, Squarespace, or similar platforms.
• Strong project management, organizational, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Knowledge of website accessibility standards, user experience principles, SEO, and digital best practices.
• Ability to develop Business Requirements Documents (BRDs), workflows, process maps, and functional specifications.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently in a collaborative environment.
• Strong communication, problem-solving, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to play an active role in exploring solutions to current website issues and sourcing new solutions for enhancement and rebuild.
• Fluency in English required; bilingualism (English/French) is an asset but not required.

Other Requirements

• Valid Ontario Driver’s License and access to a reliable vehicle is required
• Clear Vulnerable Sector Check is required by start date
• Ability to work evenings and weekends may be required

WHY JOIN SPECIAL OLYMPICS ONTARIO?

The Experience we offer:

• Opportunity to make a meaningful impact
• A diverse, inclusive, and supportive work culture
• Professional development opportunities
• Competitive compensation & benefits.
• Flexible schedule
• Business Casual dress code
• Generous paid time off
• Wellness programs & company events

Our Commitment to Equity and Inclusion

Special Olympics Ontario is committed to equity and fostering a respectful, inclusive workplace culture that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We value the unique perspectives brought by individuals of all backgrounds and encourage applications from qualified candidates who identify as Black, Indigenous, and people of colour, immigrants, refugees, women, 2SLGBTQ+, and people with disabilities.

Compensation: $50,000-58,000 for the 12-month project.

This is a project-based opportunity with a total compensation of $50,000. We are open to considering either a fixed-term employment arrangement or an independent contractor arrangement, depending on the successful candidate's experience and preferred working relationship.

How to Apply

Please apply via LinkedIn or submit a cover letter and resume by email to careers@specialolympicsontario.com

This posting will be open until August 28, 2026.

Accessibility Accommodation Available

Reasonable accommodations are available on request for candidates participating in all aspects of the selection process. If you require accommodation, please let us know in advance, and we will work with you to meet your needs. Requests may be made by email to careers@specialolympicsontario.com