James Strocel, Developer in Abbotsford, BC, Canada
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James Strocel

Verified Expert  in Engineering

Bio

James is a senior full-stack developer specializing in Ruby on Rails, WordPress, and Shopify. He has 20+ years of experience working in diverse industries, including real estate, eCommerce, emergency services, and government agencies. James excels in finding new efficiencies in legacy software—saving his clients thousands of dollars and generating millions in revenue.

Portfolio

Place
Ruby on Rails 7, AWS SDK, React, REST, Redis, RabbitMQ, Elasticsearch, Docker...
Fire Parts
Ruby on Rails 6, PHP, Shopify API, PostgreSQL, Amazon S3 (AWS S3), Angular...
Dyrand Systems
WordPress, MySQL, Amazon RDS, PHP, Algorithms, Data Structures, Full-stack...

Experience

  • JavaScript - 20 years
  • HTML - 20 years
  • PHP - 20 years
  • MySQL - 20 years
  • Ruby on Rails 7 - 15 years
  • ArcGIS - 14 years
  • REST - 10 years
  • AWS SDK - 10 years

Availability

Part-time

Preferred Environment

Ruby on Rails 7, JavaScript, React, PHP, WordPress

The most amazing...

...thing I've developed is a database app for Shopify that produced $2 million in revenue for a single client.

Work Experience

Senior Software Developer

2022 - 2024
Place
  • Created a script for the app's user offboarding process that saved the company $10,000 a month.
  • Fixed bugs and maintained an automated testing regime over at least five high-volume microservices.
  • Implemented and documented technical onboarding processes for new hires.
Technologies: Ruby on Rails 7, AWS SDK, React, REST, Redis, RabbitMQ, Elasticsearch, Docker, Kubernetes, Node.js, Algorithms, Data Structures, Ruby on Rails (RoR), Full-stack, GitHub, APIs, PostgreSQL, React Native, TypeScript, Amazon Web Services (AWS), CSS, jQuery, Ruby, Git, Linux, Code Review, Back-end, API Integration, Customer Relationship Management (CRM), REST APIs, Data Scraping, Web Scraping

Senior Software Development Manager

2017 - 2022
Fire Parts
  • Developed the number one eCommerce site for gas fireplace parts on the internet.
  • Maintained a database of 10,000+ fireplace manuals that synced thousands of SKUs across Amazon, Shopify, and eBay.
  • Oversaw and implemented warehouse picking, packing, and scanning procedures.
Technologies: Ruby on Rails 6, PHP, Shopify API, PostgreSQL, Amazon S3 (AWS S3), Angular, Redis, Elasticsearch, Node.js, Algorithms, Data Structures, Ruby on Rails (RoR), Full-stack, GitHub, eCommerce, APIs, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Shopify, Shopify Customizations, Shopify Plus, Shopify Design, CSS, jQuery, Ruby, Bootstrap, Git, Linux, Code Review, Back-end, API Integration, Shopify Storefront API, Google Analytics, PayPal, Stripe, Google Analytics API, Custom Shopify Apps, REST APIs, Liquid

PHP & WordPress Developer

2016 - 2017
Dyrand Systems
  • Created a WordPress app that allowed users to trade in internal combustion engine cars for electric or hybrid vehicles.
  • Integrated provincial vehicle identification, car insurance, and offsite cloud databases.
  • Designed the user interface using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
Technologies: WordPress, MySQL, Amazon RDS, PHP, Algorithms, Data Structures, Full-stack, GitHub, APIs, CSS, jQuery, Git, Linux, Back-end, API Integration, REST APIs

Web Developer

2015 - 2016
Speed Shift Media
  • Built a JavaScript tracking software for automobile dealer websites.
  • Created back-end forms that allowed automobile dealers to manage their online advertising campaigns.
  • Participated in design discussions that determined the product roadmap.
Technologies: jQuery, PHP, AWS SDK, Algorithms, Data Structures, Full-stack, APIs, Amazon Web Services (AWS), CSS, Git, Linux, Back-end, API Integration, REST APIs, Data Scraping, Web Scraping

Rails Developer

2013 - 2015
Interlinked Technologies
  • Developed registration, assessment, and individual education plan systems for Regent Christian Academy.
  • Oversaw and implemented a transition from Magento to Shopify.
  • Developed a scraping software that interacted with Netflix's REST API.
Technologies: Ruby on Rails (RoR), JavaScript, HTML, CSS, Algorithms, Data Structures, Full-stack, GitHub, APIs, PostgreSQL, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Shopify, Shopify Customizations, jQuery, Ruby, Bootstrap, Git, Linux, Back-end, API Integration, REST APIs

Application Developer

2012 - 2013
i-Open Technologies
  • Built an HTML5 mapping app for the District of North Saanich's emergency services.
  • Created a mapping site of fossil fuel resource deposits for the oil and gas industry.
  • Developed an online floorplan display system for Jones Lang LaSalle.
Technologies: .NET, ArcGIS, Microsoft Silverlight, HTML5, jQuery, Algorithms, Data Structures, Full-stack, APIs, CSS, Back-end, API Integration, GIS, REST APIs, Web GIS, Mapping, Maps, Data Scraping, Web Scraping

Owner/Operator

2010 - 2012
V2S Web Design
  • Designed websites using WordPress and Zen Cart content management systems.
  • Built a social media tracker in Ruby on Rails that consumed data from the Facebook API.
  • Developed a client-patient communication platform in Ruby on Rails.
Technologies: PHP, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, Ruby on Rails (RoR), Algorithms, Data Structures, Full-stack, GitHub, jQuery, Ruby, Git, Linux, Back-end, API Integration, REST APIs

Geographic Information System (GIS) Technician

2008 - 2009
Government of British Columbia
  • Standardized and acquired soil data from many municipalities for the British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture and Food.
  • Used water purveyor, water license, and aerial and groundwater data layers to indicate water sources for each lot in the Nicola, Bonaparte, and Similkameen valleys.
  • Generated land use and water demand reports for the Okanagan, Nicola, Bonaparte, and Similkameen Valleys.
Technologies: ArcGIS, Microsoft Access, FME, GIS, Mapping, Maps

Assistant GIS Instructor

2008 - 2008
BCIT
  • Provided students with research and programming strategies for completing their GIS final projects.
  • Answered questions regarding course material on aerial map classification, stereoscopic image processing, and various web mapping services.
  • Supervised GIS computer lab time and offered technical assistance where needed.
Technologies: ArcGIS, ArcObjects, Visual Studio, .NET, ASP.NET, Python, FME, GIS, Mapping, Maps

CAD/GIS Specialist

2008 - 2008
Franz Environmental
  • Translated CAD data to GIS format using tools such as Spatial Analyst, AutoCAD, and FME.
  • Reviewed and translated government schematics of dumping sites on the BC-Alaska Highway.
  • Presented data that contributed to the cleanup of the dumping sites.
Technologies: ArcGIS, AutoCAD, FME, Microsoft Access, GIS, Mapping, Maps

GIS Technician

2007 - 2007
City of Maple Ridge
  • Optimized and maintained the ArcSDE database for the District of Maple Ridge.
  • Programmed and implemented utilities for use with the ArcSDE database.
  • Created maps for use in various city departments, including electrical service areas, community policing maps, multifamily strata, and bylaw violations.
Technologies: ArcGIS, ArcObjects, Microsoft Access, FME, ArcSDE, GIS, Mapping, Maps

Customer Support Representative

2006 - 2006
eBay
  • Assisted customers in accessing accounts, posting items for sale, and resolving disputes through a proprietary online chat system.
  • Accessed information on eBay interface and procedures to help resolve tickets.
  • Maintained a high-volume resolution rate for tickets.
Technologies: Microsoft Office, PayPal

Document Scanning Technician

2006 - 2006
Cascade Law
  • Created a workflow process for the archiving and disposal of legal documents.
  • Scanned legal documents into TIFF image format for storage on optical media.
  • Provided general computer help for the Aldergrove office.
Technologies: IRIS, Microsoft Office

Application Programmer

2006 - 2006
Environmental Criminology Research
  • Designed a user interface update for Rigel, a criminal profiling software package.
  • Implemented the changes for the ArcGIS and MapInfo versions of the software.
  • Created a presentation of the changes for my final GIS project at BCIT.
Technologies: ArcGIS, ArcObjects, MapInfo, Microsoft Access, Algorithms, Data Structures, Full-stack, Back-end, GIS, Mapping, Maps

Senior Tier 1 Call Center Technician

2005 - 2005
V-link Solutions
  • Supported wifi hotspots in hotels and truck stops all over North America.
  • Trained new call center technicians in our corporate procedures.
  • Assisted clients in restarting routers, changing VPN settings, and retrieving passwords.
Technologies: Linksys, Windows, Microsoft Office, VPN

QA Analyst

2004 - 2005
Electronic Arts
  • Provided quality assurance on the career mode of Need For Speed Underground 2.
  • Conducted quality assurance for the league mode of Rugby 2005.
  • Created documents detailing procedures for reproducing bugs found in AAA titles.
Technologies: DevTrack, Microsoft Office

Experience

Fire-parts.com Website

http://www.fire-parts.com/
The number one eCommerce site for gas fireplace parts on the internet, hosting a database of 10,000+ fireplace models that maintain thousands of product groups across multiple platforms. The back-end manages inventory, scrapes new manuals, and generates border paperwork.

YouTube Watch Later Cleaner

https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/youtube-watch-later-clean/onbmpkohankjignfhdedhjdnoaekcidm/
A Google Chrome extension that can save the YouTube Watch Later playlist to a CSV file and remove all videos from the playlist. The project is made from Vanilla JavaScript and uses MutationObservers to reach all videos on the playlist.

Campaign Builder for Warhammer 40,000

A Ruby on Rails app for organizing narrative play for the miniature wargame "Warhammer 40,000" by Games Workshop. This app keeps track of games and campaign army lists and automatically matches players.

Education

2006 - 2007

Advanced Diploma in Geographic Information Systems

British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) - Burnaby, BC, Canada

2002 - 2004

Associate Degree in English Literature

University of the Fraser Valley - Abbotsford, BC, Canada

1999 - 2003

Bachelor's Degree in Computer Information Systems

University of the Fraser Valley - Abbotsford, BC, Canada

Skills

Libraries/APIs

ArcGIS, Shopify API, jQuery, Shopify Storefront API, Stripe, Google Analytics API, REST APIs, Liquid, React, Node.js

Tools

GitHub, Shopify Plus, Git, Google Analytics, GIS, Web GIS, AWS SDK, RabbitMQ, Microsoft Silverlight, Microsoft Access, FME, AutoCAD, ArcObjects, Visual Studio, MapInfo, VPN, Hotwire

Languages

JavaScript, HTML, CSS, PHP, Ruby, Java, Python, TypeScript, HTML5

Frameworks

Ruby on Rails 7, Ruby on Rails 6, Ruby on Rails (RoR), Bootstrap, React Native, Angular, .NET, ASP.NET, Tailwind CSS

Paradigms

REST

Platforms

Shopify, Linux, Amazon Web Services (AWS), ArcGIS Server, Docker, Kubernetes, WordPress, Linksys, Windows

Storage

PostgreSQL, MySQL, Elasticsearch, Redis, Amazon S3 (AWS S3)

Other

Full-stack, eCommerce, APIs, Shopify Customizations, Shopify Design, Back-end, API Integration, PayPal, Custom Shopify Apps, Mapping, Maps, Data Scraping, Web Scraping, Algorithms, Data Structures, Code Review, Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Networks, Operating Systems, Writing & Editing, ArcGIS API, Amazon RDS, ArcSDE, IRIS, Microsoft Office, DevTrack

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