University of South Carolina logo

University of South Carolina

Web Application Specialist

🇺🇸 Columbia, SC 🕑 Full-Time 💰 $64K 💻 Information Technology 🗓️ May 29th, 2026
MySQL SaaS

Edtech.com's Summary

University of South Carolina is hiring a Web Application Specialist who will serve as the technical lead and system manager for the university's CMS, Modern Campus, while developing custom web applications to support digital strategy and user experience goals. The role involves driving technical direction, enhancing scalable web solutions using PHP in Linux environments, managing CMS integrations, troubleshooting, and collaborating cross-functionally to ensure system reliability and continuous improvement.

Highlights
  • Lead management and development of the university's Modern Campus CMS platform supporting over 200 websites.
  • Develop custom web applications using PHP on Linux with MySQL and Oracle databases.
  • Drive technical enhancements including XSLT development and CMS integrations with ERP and third-party systems via REST API.
  • Ensure compliance with web standards, accessibility, and branding guidelines.
  • Create and maintain training materials, user guides, and documentation for CMS best practices.
  • Collaborate with IT, design, communications, and leadership teams to improve user experience and site functionality.
  • Provide customer support through timely troubleshooting and ticket resolution.
  • Requires a bachelor's degree in a related field plus 4+ years of relevant experience or equivalent certification/training.
  • Preferred: 5+ years experience with content management systems and web development.
  • Salary range starts at $63,557, commensurate with experience, with full benefits including health insurance, retirement, paid leave, and professional development.

Web Application Specialist Full Description

Web Application Specialist
Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Positions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email.
We are only accepting applications submitted by July 12, 2026.

The University of South Carolina offers a valuable benefits package including but not limited to:
  • Health and Life Insurance
  • Retirement Programs
  • Paid Tuition
  • Dependent Scholarships
  • Annual Leave
  • Sick Leave
  • 13 Paid Holidays (including an extended December holiday)
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Professional Development Opportunities

Click here to learn more about why you should work at USC.
Posting Details
 Posting Summary 

Logo 
Posting Number  | STA00370PO26
Job Family  | Creative Services
Job Function  | Web Development
USC Market Title  | Web Designer/Developer
Link to USC Market Title  | https://uscjobs.sc.edu/titles/132568
Job Level  | P4 - Professional
Business Title (Internal Title)  | Web Application Specialist
Campus  | Columbia
Work County  | Richland
College/Division  | Division of Information Technology
Department  | IT Enterprise Applications
State Pay Range  | T05
USC Market Range  | MRH - $63,557 $79,446 $95,336
Anticipated Hiring Range  | $63,557 - Salary is commensurate with experience
Location of Vacancy  | Columbia, SC (on-site)
Part/Full Time  | Full Time
Hours per Week  | 37.5
Work Schedule  | Standard working schedule: Monday – Friday 8:30am – 5:00pm, with 1 hour for lunch. Must be willing to work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of the Division of IT.

Basis  | 12 months
Job Search Category  | Information Technology
 
About USC 
About University of South Carolina  | From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor’s degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.

Veterans' Preference Statement  | The University of South Carolina is committed to equal opportunity and proudly values the skills and experience military veterans bring to our workforce. Across South Carolina, we are making veterans a priority for employment and recognize their vital contributions to our state and our communities.

 Benefits for FTE Positions 
The University of South Carolina (USC), through the State of SC and Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA), offers employees a valuable benefits package, including health and life insurance, generous paid leave and retirement programs. To learn more about USC benefits, access the "Working at USC" section on the Applicant Portal at https://uscjobs.sc.edu. Research Grant or Time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some, or no benefits, based on the grant or project funding.

 Position Description 
Advertised Job Summary  | Spend your days enjoying one of the most beautiful university campuses in America at the University of South Carolina, located in the vibrant capital city of one of the nation’s fastest-growing states. Join us in revolutionizing the Division of Information Technology as we transform our campus into a cutting-edge technological marvel! As a Gamecock, you will be part of a dynamic, fast-paced, and talented team, while making a significant impact on the technology that powers our university and creates a #1 ranked first-year experience for our students. Enjoy an urban setting while showcasing your expertise and contributing to the next chapter of our university’s remarkable story. Have an active role in the modernization and enhancement of IT Enterprise Application design, integration and administration. Contribute technical expertise to support and optimize critical University systems. 
The Web Application Specialist is the technical lead and developer responsible for managing and evolving the university’s CMS and web platforms while building custom web applications that support digital strategy and user experience goals. This role drives scalable web solutions, system integrations, and platform enhancements, while collaborating across IT, design, communications, and leadership teams to ensure reliable performance, accessibility, and continuous improvement.

This role serves as the lead CMS technical expert overseeing system management. This role also plays an important part in custom web application development enhancements for colleges and departments as well as ERP systems for the university.

Key Responsibilities:
Lead and manage the university’s CMS (Modern Campus) while developing custom web applications that support digital strategy and user experience goals. Drive technical improvements for web platforms, including scalable CMS enhancements, integrations, and PHP-based application development in Linux environments using MySQL and Oracle databases. Partner with IT, design, communications, and leadership teams to deliver functional web solutions that align with accessibility, branding, and web standards. Support reliable system performance through troubleshooting, ticket resolution, documentation, training, and communication with stakeholders and vendors.

What We’re Looking For:
A creative and energetic IT professional to lead and manage the university’s CMS that is self-driven and organized. A trusted advisor with strong judgment, capable of navigating complex decision pathways and influencing stakeholders at all levels. Strong communication skills with the ability to guide technical teams

Why Join Us?
You’ll enjoy the historic beauty of the University of South Carolina campus! Surrounded by amenities, and downtown Columbia, so you’ll love where you work! An engaging and collaborative on-campus environment. A world-class team of supportive, united, and approachable IT professionals. State retirement, paid holidays, and you will earn annual and sick leave monthly.

Perks of the University of South Carolina

Downtown COLA Location: Enjoy working in the heart of Columbia, SC, with easy access to vibrant city life, dining, and cultural events. Energetic Leadership: Thrive under the guidance of an energetic and innovative leadership team dedicated to transforming IT at USC, making your role impactful and exciting.
Job Related Minimum Required Education and Experience  | Requires a bachelor’s degree in a job related field and 4 or more years of job related experience, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of job related certification, training, education, and/or experience.
Required Certification, Licensure/Other Credentials  |
Preferred Qualifications  | Bachelor’s degree and 5+ years of experience in content management systems and web development or equivalent .

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities  | Strong knowledge of management and custom development using the organization’s CMS. Experience in XSLT development and fundamentals. Knowledge on ensuring compliance with web standards, accessibility, and branding. Ability to create training/user guides and documentation for CMS best practices. Ability to collaborate with IT and design teams to improve site functionality. Strong Experience in PHP development and fundamentals of custom web applications using MySQL and Oracle databases. Experience in API integrations and automation practices. Experience in Linux CLI navigation Excellent analytical, communication, and documentation skills. 

 Job Duties 
Job Duty  | Content Management Responsible for overseeing the Modern Campus SaaS platform as a critical enterprise system, providing end-to-end support and lifecycle management for over 200 university websites. Lead Development and deliver CMS custom enhancements based on the university templates using XSLT. Drive technical direction for web platform evolution, including evaluating new features, defining best practices, and ensuring alignment with accessibility and compliance requirements. Create and maintain training materials, user guides, and quick reference documentation. Serve as the primary technical authority for CMS-related initiatives, providing advanced troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and resolution of complex issues. Provide one-on-one support and troubleshooting for CMS users. Collaborates with communications, design, and technical teams to enhance user experience, optimize content workflows, and support the organization’s overall digital communication strategy. 

Essential Function  | Yes
Percentage of Time  | 50Job Duty  | PHP Development Develop PHP custom web applications on Linux platforms using MySQL and Oracle backend databases. Promote best practices in coding standards and web accessibility. Work closely with university departments providing solutions to fit their business needs. Develop custom integrations with ERP and third-party systems via REST API. Deliver timely enhancements based on functional and technical requirements. Work alongside junior developers through coaching, code reviews, and establishing development standards.

Essential Function  | Yes
Percentage of Time  | 25Job Duty  | Customer Support
Provide timely, professional assistance to customers by resolving inquiries, troubleshooting issues, and ensuring a positive experience via the ticketing system.
Essential Function  | Yes
Percentage of Time  | 20Job Duty  | Communication

Facilitate clear and effective written and verbal communication among leadership, internal teams, and vendors to ensure transparency, alignment, and collaboration.
Essential Function  | Yes
Percentage of Time  | 5
 Position Attributes 
Employees in Safety-Sensitive or Security-Sensitive positions will be subject to pre-employment and post-employment drug testing in accordance with University policy HR 1.95 Drug and Alcohol Testing.
Safety Sensitive or Security Sensitive  | No
Hazardous weather category  | Non-Essential
 Posting Detail Information 
Number of Vacancies  | 1
Desired Start Date  |
Job Open Date  | 05/28/2026
Job Close Date  | 07/12/2026
Open Until Filled  | No
Special Instructions to Applicant  |
Positions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email.We are only accepting applications submitted by July 12, 2026.The University of South Carolina offers a valuable benefits package including but not limited to:

Health and Life Insurance Retirement Programs Paid Tuition Dependent Scholarships Annual Leave Sick Leave 13 Paid Holidays (including an extended December holiday) Paid Parental Leave Professional Development Opportunities
Click here to learn more about why you should work at USC.
Quicklink for Posting  | https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/206762
EEO Statement  | The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender (including transgender), gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDs status, military status, national origin, pregnancy (false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, childbirth, recovery therefrom or related medical conditions, breastfeeding), race, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other bases under federal, state, local law, or regulations.
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
  1. * Do you have at least a bachelor's degree in a job-related field and 4 or more years of job-related experience, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of certification, training, education and/or experience? 
    • Yes
    • No
  2. * I understand that this position is expected to maintain an on-site work schedule at our downtown Columbia, SC campus. 
    • Yes
    • No
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
  1. Cover Letter
  2. Resume
  3. List of References and Contact Information
Optional Documents