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Now Hiring: OpenRefine Developer & Contributor Engagement

· 5 min read
Martin Magdinier

About the role​

  • Role: Developer & Contributor Engagement
  • Job Type: Part-Time Contract
  • Duration: 9 months with possible extension.
  • Job Location: Remote
  • Total funding available for the position: USD 90,000 annually

Role Summary​

This part-time role for an OpenRefine Developer, contracted through Code for Science & Society Inc. (a 501(c)(3) charitable organization in the USA), will focus on enhancing OpenRefine's stability, reliability, and quality to support the project’s long-term sustainability. This role is funded by the EOSS-5 grant.

Key responsibilities include bug fixes, quality improvements, and ongoing maintenance, with an emphasis on features supported by grant funding. Over time, the developer will expand into release management, security maintenance, and mentorship within internship programs (e.g., GSoC, Outreachy).

Core Responsibilities​

  • Bug Fixes & Quality Improvements (45%)
    • Prioritize and address bugs within the codebase to enhance stability and performance.
    • Improve reproducibility features (per EOSS-5 grant requirements).
    • Implement quality improvements through refactoring, optimization, and code maintenance.
  • Community Engagement & Contributor Support (30%)
    • Actively participate in community forums to support OpenRefine users and volunteers, answering questions and offering guidance.
    • Organize and participate in monthly calls with contributors to support engagement, answer technical questions, and encourage active participation.
    • Mentor existing contributors to help them grow in responsibility and impact within the OpenRefine community, providing code review, guidance, and encouragement.
    • Represent OpenRefine at relevant conferences and events to attract new developers, raise awareness of the project, and build connections within the broader open-source community.
    • Support programs, such as Google Summer of Code (GSoC), Outreachy, and other internship programs by mentoring interns, reviewing contributions, and fostering a supportive learning environment.
  • Pull Request Reviews & Ticket Triage (25%)
    • Once familiar with the codebase, actively engage with community-submitted pull requests, providing constructive feedback and participating in collaborative review processes.
    • Assist with issue triage to identify and prioritize project goals issues and opportunities.
  • Progressive Onboarding into Release Management & Security Updates
    • Upon receiving commit privileges, assist in merging pull requests to support the workflow of community contributions.
    • Take on Release Manager responsibilities to prepare and publish new releases, coordinating with the community on release planning.
    • With further onboarding, address security advisories and implement required updates and patches to maintain OpenRefine’s security.

Work Environment & Reporting Structure​

This is a fully remote role with flexible working hours, allowing the developer to organize their time freely over each month. This role requires a self-motivated, independent approach, with minimal direct supervision. The OpenRefine Developer will primarily work with volunteers, including members of the Advisory Committee and most technical contributors. The OpenRefine community collaborates asynchronously through public forums and GitHub, accommodating the diverse time zones and work patterns of contributors. Occasional travel may be expected to attend relevant conferences and meetings, enabling valuable in-person engagement with the OpenRefine community and the broader open-source ecosystem.

The developer will report primarily to the Project Manager, who will provide guidance on project goals and prioritization. Additionally, the OpenRefine Advisory Committee will serve as a resource for strategic direction and administrative support in collaboration with Code for Science & Society Inc. Weekly check-ins with the Advisory Committee and Project Manager will give the OpenRefine Developer the chance to report back on their work, gain an understanding of OpenRefine’s broader objectives, and receive ongoing support as needed.

For technical supervision and mentorship, the developer will work closely with the OpenRefine Committer Group, which consists of both volunteer contributors and paid contractors. This collaboration will help the developer integrate into the codebase and adhere to OpenRefine's development standards. The Committer Group is responsible for setting the project's technical roadmap and reviewing merge requests.

Skills​

Required:

  • Java Proficiency: As OpenRefine’s core codebase is Java, strong experience in Java is crucial.
  • Web Development: Familiarity with HTML, JavaScript, and CSS for front-end adjustments and minor feature development.
  • Git and GitHub Expertise: Proficient with Git for version control and GitHub workflows (pull request reviews, branch management, release workflows).
  • Self-Motivated and Adaptable: Comfortable working independently in a remote setting, with a proactive approach to problem-solving.
  • Community-Driven and Collaborative: Experience working collaboratively in open-source or community-driven projects, with the ability to engage and motivate volunteers.
  • Mentorship and Collaboration: Demonstrated ability to mentor contributors, provide constructive feedback on pull requests, and foster a supportive, growth-oriented environment.
  • Effective Communication: Strong written communication skills for explaining technical concepts clearly to community members, volunteers, and contributors.

Nice to have:

  • Open-Source Experience: Prior contributions to or maintenance of open-source projects.
  • Conference and Public Speaking: Willingness to present OpenRefine at conferences, meetups, and workshops to promote the project and attract new developers.
  • Release Management Familiarity: Some experience with release processes, ideally including automated build and deployment systems.
  • Data Processing Knowledge: Familiarity with data cleaning, transformation, or processing concepts relevant to OpenRefine’s core use cases.

Hiring Process​

We invite applicants to send their CV and a short motivation statement at hiring@openrefine.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

OpenRefine is fiscally sponsored by Code for Science and Society (CS&S). CS&S is an equal-opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce at all levels of the organization, thereby creating a culture that allows us to better serve our clientele, our employees, and our communities. We value and encourage the contributions of our colleagues and strive to create an environment where everyone can reach their full potential and drive outstanding results. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, gender identity or expression, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal law. This policy applies with regard to all aspects of one's employment, including hiring, transfer, promotion, compensation, eligibility for benefits, and termination.