November 10, 2010

OCA announces openings for web site design, development, and management

SYOSSET, NY [OCA]

The Orthodox Church in America announced recently that in January 2011, a team composed of a designer, developer, managing editor and technical manager, will begin an extensive overhaul and upgrade of its highly trafficked web site, www.oca.org. The plan was vetted and approved at the recent September meeting of the Metropolitan Council and the Holy Synod of Bishops. A three-member team is currently laying a foundation for this work.

On October 21, 2010, Archpriest Eric G. Tosi, OCA, Secretary, issued Requests for Proposals for both the design and development work for the www.oca.org project, and encouraged Orthodox designers and web developers to consider submitting project bids.

The upgrade is slated for completion by June 30, 2011.

“This represents a strong commitment on the part of the leadership of the OCA to serve the communication needs of the faithful, and to engage those seeking the Orthodox Christian Faith, with the tools of the 21st century,” notes Father Eric.

The Request for Proposal documents, as well as the job openings for the permanent positions of technical manager and managing editor, are found below.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL: www.oca.org Developers

NOTE: A design RFP has also been issued. [See below.] Developers may also bid on design work simultaneously, or form a team with a designer.

OCA.org Site Deliverables:

improved calendar features and function.
clean and secure site under the hood.
CMS that enables: posting by multiple editors; granular access for OCA staff.
online donation and event registration tools available.
improved Feasts and Saints sections; improved Scripture reading section.
password protected portals.
file manager that enables ease of uploading.
mobile device integration.
efficient, updated parish and clergy directories, including zoomable maps.
expanded media section—video, photo galleries, MP3’s, podcast links.
integration of Google maps.
more powerful and refined search capabilities.

Content Management System:

OCA.org is currently using the ModX content management system. As a part of your bid, explain which content management system you would use for the new site, and why. Explain thoroughly, but not in technical language. The Chancery decision makers need you to sell them on why your CMS is the one that will best serve the diverse and ever changing environment of a jurisdictional website. Bear in mind the Deliverables List above when crafting your proposal, and remember that the Chancery will only consider open standard systems (no vendor lock-in!). Hosting will be handled in house.

Bid requirements:

Include total amount, and breakdown, of your development fees.
Must be able to complete work in project boundaries — timing is critical in this project. Start date January 3, 2011. Hard launch deadline Thursday, June 30, 2011. Testing and training to be completed by May 31.
Include a cover letter that explains why you are the right developer for this project, and what you see as the critical needs of www.oca.org as you evaluate the existing site and look towards an upgrade.

Deadlines:

Bids, your resume, a cover letter, and three client references should be sent by November 30 to Archpriest Eric G. Tosi, PO Box 675, Syosset, NY 11791; .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Questions? Please contact Project Manager Virginia Nieuwsma at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL: www.oca.org Designers

Project Design Scope:

Central OCA message: “Witness to a Received Tradition, A Living Faith.”
Philosophy for project is “realign rather than redesign.”
Designed pages include home page and at minimum of six sub pages.
Designer must be able to grasp and demonstrate understanding of the OCA aesthetic — design survey results available upon request.
Must be able to complete work in project boundaries. Start date, February 1, 2011. Designs due March 11.
User experience and information architecture critical to project: designer must have demonstrated experience in site architecture.
Designer may bid as a team with developer.

Bid requirements:

Total amount, and breakdown, of design fee.
List of sites designed, and portfolio.
Cover letter that explains why you are the right designer for this project, and what you see as the critical needs of www.oca.org as you evaluate the existing site and look towards an upgrade.
three client references.

Deadlines:

Bid package should be sent by November 19 to Archpriest Eric G. Tosi, PO Box 675, Syosset, NY 11791; .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Questions? Please contact Project Manager Virginia Nieuwsma at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

JOB DESCRIPTION: Off-site, Part-time Site Technical Manager

With a starting date of January 3, 2011, the Technical Manager

is responsible for website and server security, and keeps the server up to date
is responsible for server access and permissions.
fixes database errors and monitors website performance.
utilizes search engine optimization (making sure you come up on Google searches).
fixes broken links.
enforces good coding practices and conventions.
maintains appropriate current documentation.
familiar with ModX CMS and can provide technical assistance thereof to Managing Editor.
manages the OCA.org domain name and DNS configuration.
manages the OCA.org email system.
repairs scripting languages, basic HTML, cascading style sheets, broken images, broken links.
troubleshoots hosting and server issues and works with datacenter staff when necessary.
guides development decisions in consultation with the Managing Editor.
oversees third-party development work as needed.

Applicants must:

be proficient with HTML and CSS.
be comfortable writing htaccess files.
have a good understanding of DNS records.
have a basic understanding of PHP, SQL, JavaScript.
understand basic web site security.
have a good sense of new web tools like Twitter.

Candidates also should have good front-end development skills and know how to manage a CentOS/Apache/cPanel server.

Deadlines:

Candidates are requested to submit a cover letter, resume, and three references by November 19 to Archpriest Eric G. Tosi, PO Box 675, Syosset, NY 11791; .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

JOB DESCRIPTION: Web site Managing Editor (Off-site)

With a starting date of January 3, 2011, the Managing Editor will

communicate with department heads for updates, develop relationships w/ key leadership, coordinate the schedule of www.oca.org’s existing web team.
post all news items within 3 business days, with urgent Chancery items posted immediately.
update OCA calendar and keep abreast of important announcements/dates.
conduct regular reviews of site for errors and outdated material.
solicit interesting content such as interviews, photography, features.
link to appropriate blogs and sites of interest.
create photos galleries, adds videos and media.
receive news feeds from all appropriate Orthodox institutions: IOCC, OCMC, etc.
become the expert in what is important to the www.oca.org reader by watching analytics reports.
introduce creative site additions every few months based on new OCA initiatives.
train Chancery staff to make edits as necessary.

Applicants must:

have experience in web editing, preferably in a nonprofit environment.
possess an understanding of content management systems and experience in creating posts and generating content.
possess a working knowledge of the Orthodox Church in America’s vision and goals.
possess experience in at least one other Orthodox publication, web site, or media outlet.
obtain one OCA clergy reference.

Candidates also should have demonstrated leadership and project management experience.

A resume, a cover letter, a writing sample, and three references should be sent by November 19 to Archpriest Eric G. Tosi, PO Box 675, Syosset, NY 11791; .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).