About UMass Amherst

The flagship of the Commonwealth, the University of Massachusetts Amherst is a nationally ranked public land-grant research university that seeks to expand educational access, fuel innovation and creativity, and share and use its knowledge for the common good. Founded in 1863, UMass Amherst sits on nearly 1,450-acres in scenic Western Massachusetts and boasts state-of-the-art facilities for teaching, research, scholarship, and creative activity. The institution advances a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community where everyone feels connected and valued—and thrives, and offers a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees across 10 schools and colleges, and 100 undergraduate majors. We believe every member of our university community can contribute to our ongoing success by striving for the highest level of excellence as we seek breakthrough solutions to mounting environmental, social, economic, and technological challenges in our world.

Job Summary

The Instructional Designer creates upskilling research projects, courses, consultations and workshops to educate faculty and staff to design, develop, and deliver high-quality online instruction through effective instructional design processes supported by emerging educational technologies.

Essential Functions

• Develops offline/online upskilling educational and research projects for faculty on trends in instructional design and learning technologies: conducts data research and analysis, interviews experts, prepares materials on specific aspects of education, and performs competitive analysis of best practices in using advanced educational technologies and teaching methods.
• Develops, coordinates, and delivers training/seminars/workshops for faculty and staff in the effective implementation of instructional design best practices (e.g., ADDIE, gamification, microlearning, storytelling).
• Works in cross-functional teams to gather relevant information for communicating to the target audience about projects through internal and external channels (platforms, websites, newsletters).
• Consults and collaborates regularly with university faculty to plan for and design courses (online, hybrid and face-to-face) including, but not limited to, finalizing course goals and learning objectives, course alignment and outline, and plans for the use of media and technology in the course utilizing a multimodal course design strategy.
• Provides quality assurance for all developed courses to ensure the highest delivery of standards in learning design, accessibility, and course consistency; manage projects in the assessment and improvement of current online, hybrid and face-to-face courses; and program development and innovative course design and delivery.

Other Functions

• Performs related duties as assigned or required to meet IDEAS and University goals and objectives.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Bachelor’s degree and three (3) years of relevant professional experience.
• Comprehensive knowledge of instructional design theories and methodologies.
• Knowledge of trending approaches/technologies/standards (e.g., Gamification, Active learning, Social Learning, Project-based learning) and software products used in higher education (AI services, Canvas LMS, Quizzes, Articulate Rise, H5P, EchoVideo, Qualtrics, Canva, video creation tools like Powtoon or Vyond).
• Experience developing course materials in an LMS (Canvas preferred).
• Strong Project Management skills. Able to manage time and multiple projects simultaneously, set priorities, accomplish goals, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to analyze and process large volumes of informational materials and to structure information.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills. Ability to proofread, edit, and produce effective written materials and presentations.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate technical concepts to a non-technical audience, work independently and/or with multiple constituencies, speak or make presentations before groups, conduct effective training.
• Strong skills in IT, visual presentation designing and developing clear instructional materials in written, graphic, audio, video, or multimedia form, with creativity and attention to detail.

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Experience in design and development of technology-based instructional content across a broad range of disciplines; integrating graphic, text, and audio elements in multimedia learning materials.
• Experience working with instructors in a higher education environment.

Work Schedule

• Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Some night and weekend work may be required.
• This position has the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule, which is defined by the University as an arrangement where an employee’s work is regularly performed at a location other than the campus workspace for a portion of the week. As this position falls within the Professional Staff Union, it is subject to the terms and conditions of the Professional Staff Union collective bargaining agreement.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

• Typical office environment.

Salary Information

Level 27

PSU Hiring Ranges

Special Instructions to Applicants

Along with the application, please submit a resume and cover letter. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references. Applications will be reviewed on a continuous basis until the position is filled. Early submissions are encouraged.

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University.  To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans.  It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.