How To Write a WordPress Developer Job Description

So, you want to hire a WordPress developer. But how can you attract a top developer to build your WordPress-powered site? Writing a clear and concise job description explaining who and what you need is an important first step in getting your project off the ground—and this article is here to help.

The key to writing a great WordPress job description is knowing as much as possible about what you want out of your site. This will help you find a WordPress developer who can handle your specific website development needs, such as simple integrations and out-of-the-box themes or more complex additions with custom PHP code, advanced custom fields, or a tailored theme.

In this article, we’ll provide you with a general framework for writing a job description to help you find the right developer for your needs.

How to write a WordPress Developer job description

The description is a crucial part of your job post that provides an overview of the role and attracts suitable candidates. Here's how to write an effective description for a WordPress developer position:

Start with a brief overview

In 2-3 sentences, summarize the role and its importance to your company's web development efforts.

For example: "We're seeking a skilled WordPress developer to enhance and maintain our company's web applications. This role is crucial in ensuring our websites are responsive, secure, and optimized for search engines."

Highlight key responsibilities

Use bullet points to list 4-6 primary duties. Be specific about the types of tasks they'll handle. For instance:

• Customize and develop WordPress themes and plugins using PHP, MySQL, and jQuery
• Optimize website performance and loading speeds
• Implement and maintain website security measures
• Collaborate with front-end and back-end development teams to create user-friendly interfaces

Describe the ideal candidate

Paint a picture of the person you're looking for, focusing on both technical skills and soft skills.

For example: "The ideal candidate is proficient in PHP, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and SQL, with experience in both front-end and back-end development. They should be comfortable using Git for version control and have a deep understanding of WordPress core. We're looking for a problem-solver who can work independently and communicate effectively with non-technical team members."

Mention any unique aspects of the role

If the position involves working on specialized projects or with particular technologies, include this information.

For instance: "You'll have the opportunity to work on high-traffic e-commerce sites, develop custom plugins, and integrate complex third-party APIs."

Include growth opportunities

Briefly describe how this role might evolve or what career development options are available. This can help attract ambitious candidates.

For example: "As our web presence grows, there will be opportunities to lead projects, mentor junior developers, and expand your skills in related fields of web development."

Crafting a detailed and engaging description will give potential applicants a clear understanding of the WordPress developer role and attract candidates who are well-suited to your needs.

Job description AI prompt

Here's a sample AI prompt you can use with tools like ChatGPT to help you write a WordPress developer job description:

"Create a detailed job description for a WordPress developer position. The description should include:

• A brief overview of the role in 2-3 sentences, emphasizing its importance to the company's content management system and web presence.
• A bullet-point list of 4-6 primary responsibilities, including:some text
  • Developing custom plugins and themes
  • Optimizing website performance
  • Using debugging tools to troubleshoot issues
  • Managing projects and collaborating with the team
• A description of the ideal candidate, mentioning:some text
  • Proficiency in relevant programming languages (PHP, HTML, CSS, JavaScript)
  • Experience with WordPress as a content management system
  • Familiarity with open-source software development
  • Strong problem-solving and project management skills
• Any unique aspects of the role, such as working on specialized information technology projects or integrating complex systems.
• Potential growth opportunities within the role or company, possibly including advancement to a senior software developer position.

The tone should be professional yet engaging, aiming to attract skilled WordPress developers. The description should be around 200-250 words long. Emphasize the candidate's role in optimization and creating custom solutions. Do not include salary information or application instructions."

This prompt provides clear instructions for an AI to generate a focused and detailed WordPress developer job description based on the guidelines we discussed.

Example job descriptions

Creating effective WordPress job descriptions is crucial for attracting the right talent. An engaging job description both outlines the responsibilities and qualifications needed and also sells the company culture and the unique opportunities that come with the position.

Below, find examples of quality WordPress job descriptions and insights into why they work effectively.

WordPress Developer for a digital agency

Join [Digital Agency Name], a leader in innovative online solutions, as our next WordPress Developer. Here, you'll immerse yourself in a wide array of stimulating projects that challenge and expand your skills. From crafting elegant website layouts and user interfaces to developing complex e-commerce platforms, your work will be at the forefront of digital innovation using the WordPress CMS and platform.

As part of our dynamic team, you'll collaborate on front-end development, plugin development, and custom themes. This role promises not just a job but a journey filled with learning, creativity, and growth. You'll use HTML5, SVN, and other code versioning tools to fine-tune user experiences and reimagine digital presences for our clients.

Why it works

• Highlights variety and creativity. It promises a range of projects, appealing to candidates seeking diverse challenges.
• Emphasizes team environment. Mentioning work within a creative team suggests a collaborative culture.

Senior WordPress Engineer for tech start-up

[Start-Up Name] is actively seeking a Senior WordPress Engineer who is passionate about web technology and driven by the desire to innovate, disrupt, and redefine the boundaries of what's possible. In this role, you'll have the unique opportunity to spearhead our most ambitious projects, leveraging your expertise to architect, develop, and optimize WordPress solutions that are at the forefront of our industry.

This position is perfectly suited for a visionary technologist eager to assume leadership in a dynamic, rapidly evolving startup landscape. You’ll play a critical role in shaping the future of our digital offerings, transforming complex challenges into intuitive, scalable solutions that drive our growth and enhance our users' experience.

Why it works

• Focuses on impact. This description attracts candidates looking to make a real difference within the company.
• Mentions growth. By highlighting the start-up's high-growth nature, it appeals to those looking to advance quickly in their careers.

Freelance WordPress Designer

Seeking a Freelance WordPress Designer with a flair for creativity and a passion for crafting captivating online experiences. This role offers the perfect blend of creative freedom and flexibility, allowing you to work remotely on a schedule that fits your lifestyle.

As part of our team, you'll use your design prowess to transform our clients' websites into engaging, aesthetically pleasing platforms. Your mission will be to interpret our clients' visions and turn them into reality, ensuring each design looks great, enhances user engagement, and drives results. If you love to innovate and can deliver unique, user-focused designs, we'd love to have you bring our digital projects to life.

Why it works

• Offers flexibility. This job description appeals to freelancers looking for autonomy and flexibility in their work life.
• Specifies design focus. It targets individuals with a specific skill set, ensuring applicants have the right expertise.

How to write the rest of your WordPress Developer job post

A WordPress developer can help you create and deploy a fully operational WordPress site using technologies like CSS, JavaScript, PHP, and HTML. And once the site is live, a WordPress developer can stay on to provide the necessary support, including pushing updates and patches.

WordPress developers can dive into the technical aspect of your work, giving you ample time to focus more on creative tasks. But to find a suitable developer, you need a job post that clearly spells out the position you’re looking to fill. Here are the steps to follow to write an effective WordPress developer job description.

1. Use a clear title

When writing a job description, ensure you use a clear title to refer to the position—which in this case is WordPress developer. Avoid using unclear terms and phrases that might confuse potential applicants.

A good job title should be written using industry-standard language to allow applicants to easily determine who you’re looking for.

2. Summarise the project

When hiring a WordPress developer, match their skills to your project's needs. Overhiring can lead to budget issues, while underhiring may result in inadequate functionality or security risks.

Here's how to attract the right developer with a good project description:

• List required pages and functionality
• Specify access needs and updateable content
• Consider future scalability
• Mention if you have a theme or need custom design
• Specify needs for responsive design or SEO support
• Include key objectives and responsibilities
• Specify if it's short-term or long-term
• Mention required hours (full-time, part-time, etc.)

Example summary:

"We seek a full-time WordPress developer to design, develop, and deploy websites. You'll update themes and plugins, manage patches, and collaborate on web solutions. Strong communication skills and mastery of WordPress and PHP required."

3. Outline key responsibilities

The next step is to highlight the different roles and responsibilities the developer will have. You want to be as specific as possible to allow them to understand how they will fit into your larger team.

To keep your post concise, use the progressive participle—the -ing form of a verb—to outline the developer’s core responsibilities. To illustrate, here is how you can list a WordPress developer’s responsibilities in your job description:

• Customizing existing WordPress plugins and themes to enhance web functionalities
• Designing and developing WordPress websites
• Debugging WordPress-powered websites and plugins
• Troubleshooting and resolving any issues affecting website performance
• Reviewing and implementing security features to protect websites and data from vulnerabilities

4. Include required qualifications and skills

Your job description should list the required developer skills, years of experience, and qualifications that prospective candidates should have to be considered for the WordPress developer role.

This information allows candidates to self-assess their competencies before applying. It also increases the chance of meeting with applicants who satisfy your requirements.

Depending on your needs, you can include qualifications like:

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science or equivalent experience
• A good understanding of the WordPress ecosystem
• Mastery of PHP, HTML, and CSS

5. Provide a company overview

The job description should list the qualities you want in candidates and provide some information about you or your business.

Adding a company overview that covers aspects like vision, mission, and core values and objectives can help potential applicants determine if they’re a good fit with the organization.

6. Define the application process

Once you’ve listed your desired qualifications and skills, you should also specify how candidates can apply. Is the application process entirely online? Or will candidates have to mail in their resumes?

You should state if the WordPress developer role is open to all candidates, including international applicants, or if it’s only for specific groups.

7. Add salary range and benefits

Include a salary range and associated benefits in your job description. This helps capture job applicants’ interest and encourages qualified candidates to apply.

For example, if you’re recruiting a full-time employee, you may need to include benefits like health insurance and retirement plans. But if you’re looking to engage a WordPress developer for a short-term project, you have to specify the hourly rate you’ll pay or your budget for the project.

In either case, ensure you post a competitive developer salary or rate to attract people with the skills you need.

Hire top-rated WordPress developers

WordPress developers can use their technical expertise to develop responsive and user-friendly websites. These professionals also improve overall security and reliability by checking for and fixing bugs, mistakes, and vulnerabilities.

Hiring full-time WordPress programmers can help you meet long-term goals. However, many projects only need a developer on a short-term or periodic basis. Working with independent professionals can help you meet your project’s goals while staying within your budget. As the world’s work marketplace, Upwork can connect you with qualified WordPress developers.

And if you’re an experienced developer looking for work, Upwork can connect you with WordPress jobs to help you grow your portfolio. Get started today.