JavaScript Developer for GNU LibreJS Freelance

The Free Software Foundation (FSF), a Massachusetts 501©(3) charity with a worldwide mission to protect computer user freedom, seeks a contract JavaScript Developer to work on GNU LibreJS, a free browser add-on that addresses the problem of nonfree JavaScript described in Richard Stallman’s article The JavaScript Trap. This is a temporary, paid contract opportunity, with specific deliverables, hours, term, and payment to be determined with the selected candidate. We anticipate the contract being approximately 80 hours of full-time work, with the possibility of extension depending on results and project status.

Reporting to our technical team, the contractor will work to implement important missing features in the LibreJS extension. We are looking for someone with experience in backend JavaScript development, WebExtensions, and NodeJS/Browserify. Experience with software licensing is a plus. This is an urgent priority; we are seeking someone who is able to start now. Contractors can be based anywhere, but must be able to attend telephone meetings during Eastern Daylight Time business hours.

Examples of deliverables include, but are not limited to:

• Web Labels support, plus Web Labels in JSON format
• SPDX support
• Unit and functional testing
• User interface improvements
• New and updated documentation

LibreJS is a critical component of the FSF’s campaign for user freedom on the Web, and freeing JavaScript specifically. Building on past contributions, this is an opportunity to help unlock a world where users can better protect their freedom as they browse, and collaborate with each other to make and share modified JavaScript to use.

Reference documentation

• https://www.gnu.org/software/librejs/free-your-javascript.html
• https://www.gnu.org/software/librejs/manual/html_node/
• https://www.gnu.org/licenses/javascript-labels.en.html

Proposal instructions

Proposals must be submitted via email to hiring@fsf.org. The email must contain the subject line “LibreJS Developer.” A complete application should include:

• Letter of interest
• CV / portfolio with links to any previous work online, especially browser extensions
• At least two recent client references

All materials must be in a free format. Email submissions that do not follow these instructions will probably be overlooked. No phone calls, please.

Proposals will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the contract is filled. To guarantee consideration, submit your proposal by Friday, May 18, 2018.

About the Free Software Foundation

The Free Software Foundation, founded in 1985, is dedicated to promoting computer users’ right to use, study, copy, modify, and redistribute computer programs. The FSF promotes the development and use of free (as in freedom) software — particularly the GNU operating system and its GNU/Linux variants — and free documentation for free software. The FSF also helps to spread awareness of the ethical and political issues of freedom in the use of software, and its Web sites, located at fsf.org and gnu.org, are an important source of information about GNU/Linux. Donations to support the FSF’s work can be made at https://donate.fsf.org. We are based in Boston, MA, USA.