Next.js developer for Catholic website

HolyGround.com is a Catholic theology website with completed Figma designs and multiple development needs. The developer must implement the Next.js architecture, strictly adhere to the Figma designs, and deploy the completed work online. We need a contract Next.js developer to implement:

• Universal online book and Bible reader via new architecture via Figma designs (Major task): The current site has been static-exported, but the reader will introduce a running Next.js 16 server using the App Router (src/app). Confirm you can implement and deploy a hybrid architecture (existing static content + server-backed reader and APIs), including environment configuration, caching, and production deployment (Vercel or equivalent).
• Site-wide search function from Figma designs (Medium task)
• Lead magnet funnel from Figma designs (Small task)
• Video course waitlist landing page built from Figma designs (Small task)

Scope of Work Phase 1: Universal Book and Bible Reader (Major build)

• Build reader UI from finalized Figma designs.
• Build a modular data transformation pipeline (Extract, Transform, Load - ETL) capable of parsing highly structured XML (USX 3.0 for the Bible) and lightly formatted plain text/Markdown files (for public domain books).
• Design a universal, generalized data model to store diverse hierarchical book structures in an optimized, queryable datastore (e.g., Database, Edge KV, or Search Index).
• Implement dynamic routing for books, chapters, and custom verse or section ranges using the datastore and provided versification mapping (.vrs) files.
• Apply presentation logic by mapping provided XML stylesheets (styles.xml) and locale data (.ldml) to parsed text elements.
• Implement and deploy the reader within a running Next.js 16 App Router server, including any required server-backed APIs, caching strategy, and production deployment configuration.
• Track translation usage for paying publisher royalties.
• Optimize for performance, accessibility, SEO, and mobile UX.
• Deliver clean handoff documentation.

Phase 2: Search function (Medium build)

• Design and implement a robust search approach compatible with a hybrid Next.js architecture.
• Build indexing pipeline (build-time and/or external index strategy).
• Implement search UI with relevance ranking and fast response time.
• Support core content types, theological article discovery, and universal book content.
• Include practical considerations for future content updates/re-indexing.

Phase 3: Lead Magnet Funnel (Small build)

• Add new popup behavior (including second-click trigger) adhering strictly to Figma design specifications.
• Add/update CTA components sitewide.
• Implement signup flow and automated free eBook PDF delivery.
• Add analytics for tracking conversions.

Phase 4: Video course waitlist signup page (Small build)

• Build a responsive waitlist landing page from finalized Figma designs.
• Implement email capture form and storage/integration with mailing system.
• Add confirmation messaging and success states.
• Ensure accessibility, performance, SEO, and mobile optimization.
• Deploy live and verify functionality.

Required skills

• Strong production experience with Next.js, React, TypeScript.
• Build a modular data transformation pipeline (Extract, Transform, Load - ETL) capable of parsing highly structured XML (USX 3.0) and unstructured plain text (.txt) or Markdown files.
• Backend data architecture and data modeling experience for high-performance text retrieval.
• Experience building search in static or hybrid-rendered web apps.
• API integration and scalable data-fetching patterns.
• Front-end performance optimization (Core Web Vitals).
• Experience deploying Next.js applications to a live production environment.
• Ability to translate Figma designs into exact UI components.
• Honesty, good communication, and reliable work output.

Nice to have

• Experience with content-heavy reader interfaces.
• Familiarity with Digital Bible Library standard formats, text rendering applications, or USX markup.
• Experience with search providers/libraries (e.g., Algolia, Meilisearch, Typesense, Lunr/Fuse-based indexing).
• Experience implementing analytics for funnel and search behavior.
• Experience building high-conversion landing pages.

Estimated Effort (for applicant quoting)

• Book/Bible reader: 120 hours
• Search implementation: 25 hours
• Lead magnet: 15 hours
• Video course waitlist page: 12 hours
• Total estimate: 172 hours

How to Apply

Please apply by answering the following screening questions:

• Provide a statement of your Catholic faith (please do not apply unless Catholic)
• List 1-2 relevant Next.js projects, giving live links and code samples if available. Please do not apply without Next.js experience.
• List your role in each past project.
• Give your current hourly rate and available hours.
• Give your estimated required hours for implementing (a) Universal reader, (b) Search function, (c) Lead magnet and CTAs, and (d) Course waitlist optin page.

Depending on how this work goes, we are happy to keep paying for ongoing work in the future. Pay: $50.00 - $60.00 per hour People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply Application Question(s):

• Please answer the following questions: (1) Are you Catholic? Please do not apply if not a practicing Catholic. (2) List 1-2 relevant Next.js projects, giving live links + code sample if available. Please do not apply without Next.js experience. (3) List your role in each past project. (4) Give your current hourly rate and available hours. (5) Give your estimated billable hours for implementing (a) New Next.js 16 architecture and working Bible reader, (b) Search function, (c) Lead magnet and CTA implementation, and (d) Course waitlist optin page.

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