Instructional Designer I

The Instructional Designer I (ID1) is responsible for working with Subject Matter Experts, faculty and other stakeholders to maintain and revise online learning experiences for a variety of courses while also supporting online instructors as they teach a course. The ID1 provides and/or facilitates necessary consulting and training to faculty and staff on the use of computer-based instructional and multimedia applications; assists with the technical and programmatic developments of assigned projects and applications; and provides assistance with planning and coordinating materials with the course instructor(s) and program director(s). The ID1 is responsible for continuous, incremental improvement in all assigned online courses to maximize student engagement and learning, to facilitate excellent online teaching, and to advance the University’s goal of providing world-class online education. Incumbent is required to work onsite on the Portland Maine campus.

The Instructional Designer I (ID1) is responsible for working with Subject Matter Experts, faculty and other stakeholders to maintain and revise online learning experiences for a variety of courses while also supporting online instructors as they teach a course. The ID1 is responsible for the quality of the University’s existing and minimally-revised online courses.

Typical course design and production activities will include, and are not limited to:

• Analysis of an existing course. The ID1 will consult with course stakeholders (instructors, program leaders, subject matter experts, etc.) to analyze the design, learning objectives, learning activities, and evaluation methods of the existing course.

• Project management. The ID1 will work with the Lead Instructional Designer to create the project management timeline for course revision in consultation with the course stakeholders, and update the Program and the Instructional Design team on progress against the timeline.

• Time management. The ID1 will ensure that projects are produced on time and with high quality.

• Content Creation and Management. The ID1 will apply instructional design theories to work collaboratively with course stakeholders to create instructional activities, materials and media. Recommendations for potential instructional tools, media, and approaches that may enhance the teaching and learning in the course will be made. Project documentation and folders will be created, kept and managed.

• Attending and leading meetings. The ID 1 will participate in regularly-scheduled meetings (in-person and/or virtual) with course stakeholders to consult on instructional design, update project timelines, construct or revise learning activities, review materials in progress, and answer questions about implementation.

• Professional development. Through writing, virtual workshops and other methods, the ID1 will share best practices related to online teaching and learning, strategies for course offerings and faculty development, and/or effective assessment methods for promoting student learning with peers, faculty, staff and the college community.

• Prepare courses within the Learning Management System for each term. This includes conducting quality assurance review, updating, copy editing and otherwise readying such elements as:

  • Syllabus (e.g., policies, descriptions, grading policies, etc.)

  • Course Schedule

  • Support Information

  • Learning Modules (e.g., overviews, learning objectives, learning materials and activities, practice items, assignments and assessments, methods of evaluation, etc.).

  • Multimedia

  • Links to external content

  • Gradebook set-up

• Ensure ADA compliance. Apply accessibility codes to course website materials and convert course content into reasonable ADA-accessible formats such as text-formats for audio/visual materials.

• Conduct quality assurance review, functionality testing, and facilitating approval of course site per the Quality Matters guidelines.

• Conduct course duplication tasks and post-duplication checks.

• Ensure that the University’s intellectual property guidelines are followed.

• Maintain live courses throughout the semester, responding quickly to faculty or student concerns.

• Support faculty on the use of the course management tools for online course management (e.g., monitoring and facilitating discussion board postings, responding to e-mail, maintaining the grade book, providing feedback).

• A Bachelor’s degree, Master’s preferred, including substantial coursework and research in the fields of instructional design, curriculum development, pedagogy, or related field, or a combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and skills are acquired.

• 3 – 5 years experience.

• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.

• Strong analytical and creative thinking skills.

• Excellent knowledge of learning theories and instructional design models.

• Lesson and curriculum planning skills.

• The ability to persuade, motivate, instruct, and act as part of a team, and to prioritize projects and activities as required.

• Demonstrated knowledge of instructional design principles, best practices for electronic learning, course materials, assessment techniques, and adult learning.

• Familiarity with online teaching and learning programs in higher education or corporate settings, and familiarity with common Learning Management Systems.

• Familiarity with Quality Matters course design rubrics.

• Knowledge of ADA compliance in electronic and distance learning environments.

• Ability to analyze procedures and make suggestions for improvement.

• Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced, creative team environment under tight deadlines.

• Flexibility and adaptability in a work environment where needs change quickly.

• Enthusiasm for researching and experimenting with emerging classroom and web technologies.

Consistent with federal and state law and University policy, the University of New England is committed to the fundamental concept of equal opportunity for all of the members of the University community. The University prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination in employment, the provision of academic services or in any other area of University life based on race, color, sex, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, ethnicity, genetic information, HIV status, or status as a veteran. Prohibited bias factors will not be permitted to have an adverse influence upon decisions regarding students, employees, applicants for admission, applicants for employment, contractors, volunteers or participants in and/or users of institutional programs, services, and activities.