Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 requires Federal agencies to make their websites usable by people with disabilities. Included in this regulation are Medicare-related websites.

The client’s Medicare online enrollment application had to provide support for the visually impaired. Failure to be 508 compliant could result in the website being shut down by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

Celerity Innovation Center Approach

We planned.  We understand the compliance requirements and were able to identify what components applied to Flex and Flash based sites, as well as the documentation needed for the client and CMS.   We compiled a list of 508 guidelines based on three separate documents, the HTML guidelines (HMS), the Flash/Flex guidelines (w3c), and a document from the Department of Homeland Security.  This list was used to properly label and document what text items are required to be read to the visually impaired within the application.

We got started. We selected JAWS as our screen reader for the visually impaired. With the list of guidelines, the Development team went through the Flex application and placed text within the description section of each item, graphic, and widget, so as to better assist the reader in understanding the item and its context.

We iterated quickly. As the development of the application wound down, resource was added to assist in the completion of adding descriptions for the application to be considered 508 compliant. Through the quick exchange of information from QA to UX to the Development team, 508 bugs were quickly solved and then iterated to the development environment.

Solution

We provided an end-to-end solution with three distinct components:

• A Senior Markets online enrollment form that meets 508 compliance guidelines for HTML documents and Flash/Flex media.
• A solution that enables the visually impaired to hear what is on the page.
• A solution in which large numbers of the greater population can access and complete enrollment into a Medicare plan.

Position Type: Full Time

The Flex Developer will be responsible for translating the design provided by the Web Designer into a Flash-based application. They will work closely with the back end Java Developers who are implementing the system. The Flex Developer will also work closely with the Web Designer, User Experience Lead, Java Developers, Business Process Analysts, Business Analysts, Technical Architect, and Development Manager.  They will also participate in software and systems requirements.

Responsibilities

• Build scalable and reusable Flex applications and modules
• Work with Web Designer and Java Architect
• Interface with Java/Flex Developers
• Participate in software and systems testing

Qualifications

• 5+ years professional experience
• Expert in Adobe Flex SDK, Flash CS5 and ActionScript 3.0
• Ability to effectively prioritize and execute tasks
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment
• Excellent communication skills
• Experience in Agile development cycle
• Ability to work in fluid and changing,  fast-paced environment
• Understand web standards
• Familiar with HTML/CSS/JavaScript development environment
• Familiar with AJAX
• Experienced with Object Oriented Programming (OOP)
• Familiar with BlazeDS or other service-based messaging protocols
• Experienced in MVC frameworks such Cairngorm or Robotlegs

Position Type: Full Time

We are looking for a server side Senior Java Developer to develop and implement new web-based applications and maintain existing applications.

Technical Qualifications

• Core Java (JDK 5+) – including object-orientation, core design patterns, multi-threading, and data structures
• Java/J2EE technologies
• Inversion of Control (IoC) – preferably the Spring framework (current and extensive experience)
• JPA/Object Relation Model (ORM) – preferably Hibernate or EclipseLink /TopLink
• Maven
• AOP
• JMS

A Plus

• OSGi framework
• WebSphere
• SQL experience and good understanding of ANSI SQL
• Rich User Interfaces, including Flex, DHTML, JavaScript, and CSS
• Agile environment

Other Qualifications

• 6+ years of experience
• Detail-oriented troubleshooting
• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to meet targeted deadlines with minimal supervision
• Able to deal with ambiguity
• Enjoy working in a fast-paced,  team-oriented and collaborative environment
• Able to reach out for help when needed
• A proactive problem solver

Position Type: Full Time

The Java Web Architect will develop technical solutions. This person will collaborate with Business Analysts, the client’s IT team and the internal Development team to define solution architecture. The Architect is responsible for security, backup recovery, performance, design, and functionality.

Responsibilities

Primary

• Design enterprise Java-based web applications.
• Help guide the requirements process with Business Analysts to specify key system interfaces and data models.
• Interface with client IT organization, including Architects, Managers and Support Staff.
• Partner with the data services team on web service API and SOA strategy.
• Translate requirements into a technical design for Web Developers.
• Prepare UML domain and sequence diagrams.
• Control development quality.
• Provide guidance during build/test/deployment phases.
• Assist in test (QA) planning sessions.
• Serve in release deployment support.
• Lead Architecture Team (DBA, Legacy integration, Java designer and developers).

Secondary

• Define system process model and dynamic interactions.
• Model package and component dependencies.
• Monitor architectural/design conformance of implementation with project team.
• Specify work plan to implement, maintain, or correct conforming software.
• Understand and work with new software technologies to understand impact and applicability.
• Contribute to overall improvement in architecture, systems and processes while delivering solutions for immediate business requirements.
• Mentor Developers and contribute to knowledge sharing
• Collect and analyze results against the defined validation criteria
• Map requirements and use cases to subsystems and components

Technical Qualifications

• Java and J2EE
• Websphere Application Server
• Oracle
• DB2
• Legacy integration
• Agile
• Service Oriented Architecture (SOA)
• MQ Series
• Ajax
• Web design (CSS, HTML)

A Plus

• Agile methodology
• Experience in healthcare or health insurance industries
• Working in a consultative environment

Other Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience
• Bachelor’s degree
• Customer service oriented – internal and external at all levels
• Self-motivated
• Team-oriented
• Analytical
• Creative problem solver
• Attention to detail while multi-tasking
• Organized
• Flexible
• Polished communication skills
• Leadership skills
• Fast learner

Position Type: Full Time

The Flash Developer will be responsible for translating the design provided by the Web Designer into a web site structure. They will work closely with the Flex Developers and back end Java Developers who are implementing the system. The Flash Developer will also work closely with the Web Designer, User Experience Designers, Business Analysts, Technical Architect, and Development Manager.

Responsibilities

• Design a workflow for a complex system
• Design Information architecture for a complex system
• Design Wireframes of screen layouts
• Perform Contextual inquiry research and analysis with end users
• Analyze Users tasks to design workflows
• Develop detailed user personae
• Designing and conducting user research methodology, especially usability testing and focus groups

Qualifications

• 3+ years of full-time hands-on Flash development experience
• 1+ years of full-time ActionScript 3.0 programming experience
• Proficient in JavaScript and server-side programming in PHP, ASP.NET and JSP
• Ability to work in fluid and changing, fast-paced environment
• Experience in Agile development cycle
• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment
• Ability to effectively prioritize and execute tasks
• Bachelor’s degree in a computer-related field

A Plus

• Flex and/or Java development experience
• Database experience
• Knowledge of 508 compliance

Position Type: Full Time

This is a cutting edge, technology driven organization looking for an experienced, Senior Technical PMP-certified Project Manager / Technical Project Manager to manage an enterprise level / high traffic, multi-media project. The individual will need to meet aggressive deadlines, interface with different company business units and work in a fast-paced solution-driven environment.

Responsibilities

• Manage the technical aspects (design, architecture, deployment, etc.)
• Manage the development team (Developers and Leads) and assign individual programming tasks and ensure deliverables are met in a timely manner
• Manage the development process of an enterprise level, high traffic technology RIA projects
• Define development life cycles and project scopes
• Define architecture and provide development road maps
• Provide expertise, lead technical meetings, and communicate effectively with different development teams and departments
• Manage software development life cycles through implementation

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience
• Must be PMP certified
• Strong Project Management capabilities
• Proficient with Java and Web technologies
• Ability to manage enterprise level / high traffic software or web development project
• Ability to interface with different company business units, gather requirements, define project scope
• Technical / software development background familiarity with Java technologies
• Ability to multi task and work in a fast-paced, high traffic solution driven environment
• Familiarity with Agile, Scrum methodologies
• Previous experience working in a Technology driven company is preferred

Position Type: Full Time

The Java Solution Designer will serve as a senior technical expert responsible for the design and implementation of a web-based (cloud), java-platform business application. Together with the Enterprise Architect, will communicate architectural decisions and enforce development standards within the context of the system architecture and best practices. They will be responsible for installation and maintenance of WebSphere App Server/ Oracle development environment. They will be responsible for on-time, quality delivery of team’s development components.

Responsibilities

• Design enterprise Java-based web applications
• Provide technical direction and leadership to 6-8 web developers
• Lead Agile development team, ensuring high efficiency and quality
• Translate requirements into a technical design for web developers
• Control development quality
• Provide guidance during build/test/deployment phases
• Assist in test (QA) planning sessions
• Serve in release deployment support
• Perform Installation and operational support for server based team development environment
• Contribute to overall improvement in architecture, systems and processes while delivering solutions for immediate business requirements
• Mentor developers and contributes to knowledge sharing
• Define system process model and dynamic interactions
• Model package and component dependencies
• Monitor architectural/design conformance of implementation with project team
• Specify work plan to implement, maintain, or correct conforming software
• Collect and analyze results against the defined validation criteria
• Map requirements and use cases to subsystems and components

Technical Qualifications

• J2EE Application Development
• Java Architecture
• Distributed systems
• Agile Methodology
• Multimedia tools
• Object oriented design and analysis techniques
• RESTful Web Services
• Enterprise service bus (ESB)
• Ajax
• Eclipse
• Subversion
• Messaging

A Plus

• WebSphere Application Server
• Oracle 11g and MQ Series
• Legacy Integration
• SOA
• Relational database design
• Data modeling

Other Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience
• Bachelor degree
• Experience in design/architecture type roles
• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to look at bigger picture and come up with solutions encompassing various aspects of software/product life cycle extending outside of development, including customer usage/experience, technical operations, product shipments, etc.
• Ability to handle ambiguity
• Ability to weigh design decisions against client needs

Position Type: Full Time

QA Tester will ensure conformance with business requirements and technical specifications under the direction of the team leader. Tasks include test planning, test case development (both automated and manual), test execution, defect tracking and fix verification.

Responsibilities

• Independently detailing test cases, executing and completing test plans.
• Constructing test sets based on the functional requirements.
• Ensuring all test cases are updated with test results as they are executed.
• Automating test cases for future regression testing.
• Adhering to the quality procedures in place.
• Understanding working in typical Waterfall and Agile environments.
• Communicating and negotiating with development where appropriate to resolve issues found during testing.
• Following all release processes and protocols.
• Configuring the test environment required to test the functional areas.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of quality assurance experience
• Bachelor’s degree
• Experience testing 3-tier web applications
• Automated testing
• Experience testing applications that employ Flex, Ajax, or other asynchronous web technologies
• Load and performance testing
• Experience testing web services or other messaging technologies
• RIATest and NeoLoad
• SQL
• Understanding of the software development life cycle
• Understanding of different types of software testing
• Agile Environment
• Team-oriented
• Analytical
• Creative problem solver
• Organized
• Flexible
• Polished communication skills
• Fast learner

Position Type: Full Time

The User Experience team member will work closely with the User Experience lead to design an easy to use end to end system. They will also work closely with the Business Analysts and Business Process Analysts to understand the requirements and business needs.

Responsibilities

• Design a workflow for a complex system
• Design Information architecture for a complex system
• Design Wireframes of screen layouts
• Perform Contextual inquiry research and analysis with end users
• Analyze Users tasks to design workflows
• Develop detailed user personae
• Designing and conducting user research methodology, especially usability testing and focus groups

Qualifications

• User centered design process
• Task analysis
• User research methodologies, esp usability testing and focus groups
• Persona development
• 2+ years of experience
• Bachelor degree in related field
• Creative
• Proven ability to quickly learn
• Excellent verbal and written communication
• Ability to change direction quickly when the priorities in the project change
• Ability to communicate effectively to all levels of the organization
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment
• Ability to effectively prioritize and execute tasks
• Analytical
• Problem solving
• Team-oriented
• Ability to work in a fluid environment

A Plus

• Experience with Heuristic Evaluations
• Experience using MS Visio

Position Type: Full Time

 The Technical Writer will design and produce cutting-edge technical documentation intended for rapid deployment and maximum usability. These public-facing and internal knowledge deliverables include web site content, web-based contextual help, field-level help, tool tips, corporate white papers, technical manuals and other documentation as assigned.

Proficient In

• Crafting multimedia documentation intended for use in commercial markets
• Agile methodology, technology concepts and application development
• Microsoft Office tools (including Visio)
• Designing and authoring online help
• User-centric design concepts

Qualifications

• Ability to create high-quality documentation on the fly with minimal assistance in a fluid team environment
• Experience designing and producing web-based help, web site content and hard-copy deliverables for commercial and internal corporate audiences
• Proven ability to select tool sets required for producing online and web-based help
• Ability to work with the Development, User Experience and Business Analyst teams to produce high-quality documentation
• Experience drafting white papers and other high-level corporate documentation
• 3+ years of experience
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field
• Tech-savvy
• Strong communication skills
• Creative
• Analytical
• Problem solving
• Customer service attitude
• Team-oriented