Entry Level WordPress Developer (Cleveland, OH USA)

Fountain Digital; Cleveland (OH); Hybrid; USD 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Fountain Digital in Cleveland-area is seeking a Junior Web Developer to build and maintain WordPress-based web apps. You’ll focus on semantic HTML, CSS/SCSS, and JavaScript while leveraging Gutenberg blocks, Elementor, and ACF. The role emphasizes collaboration, code reviews, and ongoing learning in a hybrid office setting.

You will work under the Senior Software Engineer and VP of Web Development, contribute to small-to-mid projects, and gain exposure to deployment pipelines and WCAG/SEO basics.

Qualifications

• WordPress development experience and PHP know-how.
• Strong frontend skills and responsive design.
• Experience with WordPress themes/plugins customization.
• Familiarity with Gutenberg blocks and ACF.
• Ability to integrate forms and third-party embeds.

Responsibilities

• Translate designs into responsive WordPress components and populate content.
• Perform cross-browser and cross-device testing for UI consistency.
• Deliver work on time with updates on progress and risks.
• Follow Git workflows and document solutions for internal knowledge.
• Collaborate with designers and senior developers on builds.

Skills

Semantic HTML5, CSS3/SCSS, Flexbox, Gr

Tools

Git

Elementor

ACF

Gutenberg

Gravity Forms

reCAPTCHA Enterprise

Google Maps

Job description

Important: This position requires weekly in-person work at our Cleveland-area office. Candidates must be able to work onsite three days per week beginning on their start date. Relocation assistance is not available for this position.

Overview

• Title: Junior Web Developer
• Reporting To: Senior Software Engineer / VP of Web Development
• Role Vision Statement: An eager, detail-oriented developer who builds, maintains, and supports web applications with a primary focus on the WordPress ecosystem. Grounded in core frontend web technologies (HTML, CSS/SCSS, JavaScript) and WordPress site architecture, the Junior Web Developer is an active learner who takes ownership of assigned task tickets, communicates proactively, and delivers pixel-perfect, responsive web builds while continuously expanding their technical skill set.

Role Focus Areas

Web Development Execution & WordPress Mastery

• Learning, adopting, and adhering to modern web development standards and WordPress best practices for clean, maintainable code.
• Building competency across custom themes, custom plugins, custom fields (e.g., ACF), Gutenberg block builds, and page builders (e.g., Elementor).
• Actively seeking and incorporating feedback during code reviews to elevate technical craftsmanship across web builds.

Task Delivery & Project Support

• Assisting on small-to-mid-size web projects by translating design assets into responsive web components, handling content population, and executing bug fixes.
• Conducting thorough cross-browser and cross-device testing to guarantee UI consistency, mobile responsiveness, and high performance.
• Delivering assigned work on time while providing consistent updates on progress, barriers, or timeline risks.

Technical Growth & Workflow Adherence

• Following standard version control (Git) procedures, branching strategies, and local development workflows.
• Documenting solutions, routine fixes, and code snippets to contribute to the team’s internal technical documentation.
• Participating regularly in team training, peer code reviews, and technical knowledge-sharing sessions.

Foundational Web & WordPress Skills

• Semantic HTML5, modern CSS3/SCSS, Flexbox, CSS Grid, and mobile-first responsive design
• Vanilla JavaScript and DOM manipulation for interactive UI components
• WordPress theme and plugin customization, including basic custom PHP implementation
• Page builders (e.g., Elementor), Gutenberg block editor, and custom fields (ACF)
• Form integrations, hooks, and logic (e.g., Gravity Forms, reCAPTCHA Enterprise)
• Third-party web embeds and API tools (e.g., Google Maps, YouTube, Wistia)

Growing Understanding of the Full Stack

• Git/GitHub version control workflows and deployment pipelines
• WordPress database architecture and basic MySQL querying
• Local development tools, staging environment management, and deployment routines
• DNS, SSL certificates, hosting infrastructure, and performance optimization
• Web Accessibility standards (WCAG / a11y) and technical SEO basics
• REST APIs and asynchronous web requests (AJAX / Fetch API)

Strategic / Collaborative Responsibilities

• Collaborates with Design: Works closely with UI/UX designers to evaluate web layouts for technical feasibility, responsiveness, and accessibility before and during build phases.
• Coordinates with Project Management: Keeps project management updated on task progress, provides accurate effort estimates, and flags potential roadblocks early.
• Communicates with Senior Developers: Engages senior team members promptly when encountering technical blockers, ensuring work adheres to architectural guidelines and scope.

Team Structure

• Mentored and guided by Senior Software Engineers, Technical Leads, and senior web staff.
• Supports lead developers on complex site builds while independently completing smaller web development tasks, theme tweaks, and maintenance tickets.

Job Requirements

• Compensation Range: $40,000 – $50,000 depending on experience and skillset
• Location: Must currently reside in the Northeast Ohio area.
• Schedule: Hybrid — On-site presence is required at our Independence, OH office every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.
• Eligibility: Local residency is mandatory. Fully remote arrangements cannot be accommodated, and non-local applicants will not be considered.