CMS Implementation Engineer (Drupal & Wagtail) Contractor

RESPEC is seeking a CMS Implementation Specialist that will lead the end-to-end technical implementation of the new GeoInfo website () working closely with RESPECs project product management and design teams an embedded Content Strategist the agencys Product Manager and the agencys Data Services and Security staff. This role transforms approved digital strategy sitemaps front-end templates and structured content models into a robust high-performance CMS implementation (leveraging Drupal and/or Wagtail) that meets the Q2 2027 launch milestone for L0L1 and priority L2 content.

The CMS Implementation Specialist will configure CMS core structures modules/packages and publishing workflows; build out approved reusable templates and page models; execute automated and assisted migration of priority text relational data and static digital assets; and establish comprehensive redirect and navigational pathways between the legacy system and the new platform. This role also owns technical testing defect resolution launch readiness and external systems integration.

Responsibilities:

• Implement approved responsive CMS page models and structured content types using Drupal (Twig custom modules blocks) and Wagtail (StreamField Page models Django templates).
• Support the full structural build-out and taxonomy alignment of the website information architecture from Level 0 through Level 2 and beyond.
• Coordinate with the agencys technical infrastructure and security stakeholders to ensure all architecture decisions align with institutional compliance accessibility hosting and security standards.
• Support the execution of priority content migration workflows in close alignment with the finalized Content Migration Plan.
• Lead the technical extraction cleaning and ingestion of legacy static assetsincluding technical PDF reports scientific images and downloadable datasetsinto structured CMS media libraries.
• Implement robust URL routing 301 redirect mappings menu navigation breadcrumbs and cross-site transition pathways connecting legacy GeoInfo content to the new web environment.
• Lead and support technical testing including template rendering responsive UI editorial workflows access control permissions search indexing and launch-critical functionality.
• Support the technical integration of third-party institutional systems APIs and enterprise databases (e.g. HigherEd ERP / Ellucian Banner).
• Actively track estimate and document implementation deliverables backlog stories bugs and future-phase technical debt using Jira.
• Deliver a fully tested secure and production-ready live website populated with validated migrated Level 0 through Level 2 content by target deadlines.

Time Required

This is anticipated as a full-time contract role for the implementation-heavy phase of the project lifecycle. The role becomes most intensive once hosting CMS selection/architecture sitemaps and design templates are signed off remaining fully engaged through core development migration system integration testing and production deployment.

Qualifications :

Requirements:

• 35 years of demonstrable hands-on CMS development and technical implementation experience with a track record of delivering multiple production website builds custom module/model configurations and large-scale data migrations.
• Hands-on development and implementation experience with modern enterprise CMS platforms with direct proficiency in Drupal (PHP Composer Twig) and/or Wagtail (Python Django).
• Deep technical understanding of modular structured content reusable templates atomic page components custom field configurations and multi-tier editorial publishing workflows.
• Demonstrated experience executing content migration pipelines database transformation scripts and digital asset migrations for extensive static repositories (PDFs media files datasets).
• Working knowledge of end-to-end web QA functional and cross-browser testing accessibility compliance (WCAG) redirect rule engines and go-live deployment procedures.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate smoothly across multi-disciplinary teams including software engineers UI/UX designers content strategists project managers and executive client stakeholders.
• Proven experience managing implementation sprints tickets pull requests and bug backlogs using Jira or comparable agile project management tools.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with an emphasis on creating clear technical documentation architectural decision records (ADRs) and handoff guides.

Preferred:

• New Mexico and West Texas residents willing to travel on-site to Socorro NM up to 2 times during the project lifecycle.
• Direct experience engineering web solutions for Higher Education scientific research organizations geological surveys or public-sector agencies.

Additional Information :

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Remote Work :

Yes

Employment Type :

Contract