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- Tasks: Develop and enhance platforms for free access to family history records.
- Company: Volunteer-driven charity focused on digital genealogy.
- Benefits: Flexible remote role, gain experience, and contribute to a meaningful cause.
- Other info: Join a supportive community and collaborate with experienced developers.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by preserving historical information for future generations.
- Qualifications: Experience with Ruby on Rails or similar frameworks; Git familiarity.
Help power free access to millions of family history records. We’re seeking Ruby on Rails developers to support our volunteer-led platforms and shape the future of digital genealogy. Our services are entirely free to access, relying on a combination of volunteer effort and robust, well-maintained technology. As demand for our services continues to grow, so does the need for sustainable and scalable technical solutions. By contributing your development expertise, you will directly support the ongoing availability and improvement of services used by thousands of people every day. Your work will help ensure that historical records remain accessible, searchable, and useful for individuals, families, and communities exploring their heritage.
You will also play a part in shaping the future of our platforms. We are actively modernising our technology stack and developing new services, and experienced developers are critical to ensuring these initiatives succeed. Beyond the technical impact, your involvement helps strengthen our volunteer community. Sharing knowledge, mentoring others, and contributing to a collaborative environment are all valuable aspects of the role. Ultimately, your contribution will help preserve and democratise access to historical information, ensuring it remains freely available for future generations.
What are we looking for?
We are looking for individuals with a strong interest in software development and a willingness to contribute their skills in a collaborative, volunteer-led environment.
Essential Skills And Experience
- Experience with Ruby/Ruby on Rails, or the ability to learn quickly based on experience with similar frameworks (such as Python, JavaScript, or ASP.NET)
- Familiarity with version control using Git
- Experience of working with GitHub (or similar platforms), including pull requests and issue management
- Ability to work independently and communicate effectively in a remote team
Desirable Skills And Experience
- Experience with MongoDB
- Experience with JavaScript
- Familiarity with legacy systems or data-heavy applications
- Experience of working in volunteer or open-source environments
We are particularly keen to hear from developers who are retired or approaching retirement and are looking for a way to stay mentally active, contribute to a meaningful cause, and remain connected to a technical community. That said, we welcome applications from developers at any stage of their career, including those looking to build experience and develop their skills in a supportive environment. You do not need prior experience in genealogy or charity work. What matters most is your willingness to contribute, collaborate, and apply your skills to support our mission. A thoughtful, pragmatic approach to problem-solving and an appreciation for working with existing systems will be especially valuable in this role.
What will you be doing?
Free UK Genealogy is a volunteer-driven charity providing free online access to over 500 million genealogical records. Our platforms, including FreeBMD, FreeREG, and FreeCEN, are used by researchers worldwide, and we are now entering an exciting phase of technical development. We are looking for Ruby on Rails developers to join our distributed technical team. This is a flexible, remote volunteering role where you can contribute at a pace that suits you, working alongside experienced volunteers and contributors. You will help develop, maintain, and improve our core platforms, supporting both ongoing operations and new initiatives such as FreeBMD2 and FreePRO. Tasks may include enhancing existing features, improving performance, supporting data workflows, and contributing to new functionality. Our development work is collaborative and managed via GitHub, with discussions on requirements, accessibility etc. forming a key part of how we work. You will have the opportunity to engage with a friendly and knowledgeable team, many of whom bring decades of experience across software development, genealogy, and data projects. We particularly welcome interest from developers who are retired or approaching retirement and would like to continue using their skills in a meaningful, flexible, and intellectually engaging way.
Ruby on Rails Software Developer - Volunteer employer: Free UK Genealogy
Contact Detail:
Free UK Genealogy Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Ruby on Rails Software Developer - Volunteer
✨Tip Number 1
Get your networking game on! Reach out to fellow developers, especially those in the genealogy space. Join online forums or local meetups to connect with like-minded folks who can help you land that volunteer role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a GitHub profile showcasing your Ruby on Rails projects. This is your chance to demonstrate your coding chops and make a great first impression on potential collaborators.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t be shy about reaching out directly! If you see a project that excites you, drop a message to the team. Express your interest and how you can contribute. It shows initiative and could lead to some great opportunities.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’re always looking for passionate developers to join our mission. Your application will stand out if you highlight your willingness to collaborate and learn in a volunteer-led environment.
We think you need these skills to ace Ruby on Rails Software Developer - Volunteer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Development: When writing your application, let us see your enthusiasm for software development shine through! Share any personal projects or experiences that highlight your skills in Ruby on Rails or similar frameworks. We love to see how you’ve applied your knowledge in real-world scenarios.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific role and our mission. Mention how your skills can contribute to our volunteer-led platforms and the impact you hope to make in the world of digital genealogy. This shows us you’re genuinely interested in what we do!
Highlight Collaboration Skills: Since we work in a remote team, it’s important to demonstrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively. Share examples of how you’ve worked with others in past projects, especially in open-source or volunteer environments. We value teamwork just as much as technical skills!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it helps us keep everything organised as we review applications. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Free UK Genealogy
✨Know Your Ruby on Rails
Make sure you brush up on your Ruby on Rails skills before the interview. Be ready to discuss your experience with the framework, any projects you've worked on, and how you can apply your knowledge to enhance their platforms. If you're familiar with similar frameworks, be prepared to explain how that experience translates to Ruby on Rails.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Git and GitHub
Since collaboration is key in this role, understanding version control is crucial. Review how to manage pull requests and issues on GitHub, and think of examples where you've successfully collaborated on projects using these tools. This will show that you can seamlessly integrate into their volunteer-led environment.
✨Show Your Passion for Genealogy
Even if you don't have prior experience in genealogy, express your enthusiasm for the cause. Research the organisation's mission and think about how your contributions can help preserve historical records. Sharing your thoughts on the importance of accessible genealogy can set you apart as a candidate who truly cares.
✨Prepare for Collaborative Problem-Solving
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills, especially in a collaborative setting. Think of past experiences where you tackled challenges as part of a team. Highlight your ability to communicate effectively and work independently, as these are essential traits for a remote role.