Instructional Designer 2

Please note, this position is not eligible for H-1B or Green Card sponsorship.

The University of Minnesota is committed to fostering local talent through employment opportunities. While this position utilizes a hybrid work modality, prospective applicants must be located either in the state of Minnesota or near the Wisconsin border OR otherwise open to relocation.

Position Overview:

The Instructional Designer assists in designing, developing, and revising education-based solutions, primarily interactive, media-rich, Web-based courses and training. The Instructional Designer will collaborate as a member of a design team, but independently act as project lead on multiple design projects that are assigned to the Academic Technology & Design (ATD) team and is expected to coordinate and facilitate the production of courses and projects within set production deadlines. A successful candidate for this position will be able to clearly articulate their design and development approach, both in theory and application. The successful candidate demonstrates a passion for education, best practices for active learning, and thrives in a rapidly and evolving field. This position reports to the Director of Academic Technology & Design.

The College of Continuing and Professional Studies (CCAPS) empowers lifelong learners to achieve their educational goals through professional courses, applied and individualized degrees, and other academic pathways. We pursue a learner-centric environment where diverse ideas, backgrounds, and identities are embraced. CCAPS has a large and diverse portfolio of program offerings, including bachelor’s and master’s degrees, professional development offerings for practitioners, pre-college programs for high school students, English language programs, and lifelong learning for personal enrichment. Across all the work done in and by CCAPS, we strive daily to live our core values of Access, Learning, Inclusivity, Collaboration, and Excellence. Join us in making a difference through education!

Responsibilities:

Course Development (60%)

– Design, manage, and facilitate the development of newly created online courses in collaboration with faculty or content experts on a course development timeline.

– Implement the redesign, revision, conversion, and review of existing online courses according to best practices and shared design principles at the College.

– Design solutions to address academic challenges through the use of instructional technology.

– Design programs/courses that enable significant learning outcomes as well as learner engagement.

– Collaborate ATD media specialist for the development of recorded content, media assignments, and the use of academic technology tools for optimal student experience.

– Follow best practices for project management for course development, including tracking and communication of all project tasks, deliverables, and timelines with instructors and staff.

Research & Special Initiatives (15%)

– Support ATD special initiatives to ensure the team is at the forefront of knowledge in course design and delivery (Example: outcomes assessment, usability, digital accessibility, badges, learning analytics, Digital Coursepack, e-Publishers, e-Proctoring, e-Portfolios, etc.)

– Explore emerging learning technologies for their potential, issues, and application.

– Partner with ATD team at large to establish and implement best practices in course design and delivery.

– Actively participate in ATD process improvement initiatives related to course design and delivery.

– Participate in university-wide communities of practice (AT Tools,, Media, etc.) to stay current with system wide updates to instructional technologies and share back with the team.

Faculty Development and Relationships (15%)

-Educate instructors about design principles and best practices in online course design and delivery.

-Train and support online instructors in their independent use of course technology and third-party teaching tools

-Provide consultations to instructors for purposes of resolving course design issues, implementing new course features, and/or providing training.

-Support the professional development efforts for instructors and academic staff in their adoption of existing academic technology and emerging tools.

-Assist in building and fostering a community of practice among instructors using technology to enhance teaching and learning.

-Represent the ATD and CCAPS within and outside the University in a fashion that highlights the value of ATD and the College and builds positive and productive working relationships.

Continuous Improvement and Professional Development (15%)

– Stay current with industry trends and emerging technologies.

– Identify opportunities for process improvement and recommend system enhancements to drive efficiency and productivity.

Please document Qualifications on your resume

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 2 or more years of experience designing and developing online or technology-enhanced instructional materials or courses OR a Master’s degree.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently as well as collaboratively on a team.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects from concept to completion under set development timelines.
• Demonstrated commitment to inclusive excellence and serving a diverse community of learners.
• Proficiency with learning management systems and integrated tools (Canvas preferred).
• Proficiency with Google/Office applications for education (Docs, Slides, Groups, Communities, YouTube, Hangout, etc.).
• Experience with instructional design process models such as ADDIE, SAM, etc.
• Experience applying and reviewing courses against quality, web, and usability standards.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Education, Learning Technologies or related discipline.
• Two or more years of teaching/online instruction experience.
• Formal instructional design training or education.
• Experience in developing both credit and non-credit courses.
• Experience in faculty development and program support.
• Experience with applications for mobile delivery (e.g. iPad, education apps, ebooks).
• Experience with the application of learning theories (constructivism, adult learning theory, connectivism, gamification, etc) to the development of curriculum.
• Experience working with faculty or high-level subject matter experts.
• Experience with content authoring software such as Articulate, Captivate, Camtasia Studio, etc.
• Experience with Asana or similar project management tools.
• Experience training and working with a diverse population having a wide range of technical experience.
• Excellent analytical, interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate and communicate with diverse groups.
• Willingness to learn and support a broad range of technologies.

 

Pay Range: $70,000 – $75,000 Annually; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your “My Job Applications” page and uploading documents in the “My Cover Letters and Attachments” section. Please provide a cover letter and resume for consideration.

About Organization

One of the nation’s largest schools, the University of Minnesota offers baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral degrees in virtually every field—from medicine to business, law to liberal arts, and science and engineering to architecture.

The University of Minnesota system is made up of five campuses in Minnesota including Crookston, Duluth, Morris, Rochester, and the Twin Cities (Minneapolis/St. Paul).

University of Minnesota Extension provides outreach and education services to Minnesota's communities through science-based knowledge, expertise and training.

The University of Minnesota was recognized by Forbes in 2018 in the Best Employer, Best Employer for Diversity, and Best Employer for New Grads categories.