Instructional Development Specialist-eLearning Specialist – COLRS
Posting Category:
About UIS:
Located in the state capital, the University of Illinois Springfield is one of three members of the University of Illinois system. The University serves more than 4,000 students in 44 graduate and 56 undergraduate programs. You are encouraged to visit the university web page at http://www.uis.edu.
Application deadline: 05/09/2025
Minimum Starting Salary: $28.04 per hour/7.5 hour day
Summary:
The instructional development specialist provides UIS faculty with instructional course design consultation to create effective and accessible distance education environments. This position administers the learning management system and provides system-level troubleshooting and course-level support for faculty. Additional responsibilities include assisting faculty with the development of engaging and compelling course materials and educational media; identifying and resolving technical issues with clear, customer-focused explanations; and designing and delivering professional development opportunities for faculty. This includes authoring content for the unit’s website, creating job aids, and developing other resources that enhance student learning.
Duties & Responsibilities:
- Collaborate with faculty to identify learning needs and provide technical and pedagogical expertise and support in the production, creation, editing, and accessibility of instructional course content and use of online educational technologies.
- Analyze course structures and assessments through the lens of digital accessibility to improve course design, fill instructional gaps, and improve information design of course content.
- Develop and deliver one-on-one support and group faculty development workshops based on emerging educational theory, pedagogical research, and technologies to promote best practices of effective teaching in distance education.
- Design, develop, maintain, administer, and advise on the backend infrastructure of the learning management system.
- Develop informational resources including tutorial videos and job aids, promotional materials, the website and newsletter, and other required reports.
- Provide outreach to the campus community by serving on campus committees and contributing to service projects that promote online experiences for students.
- Research, analyze, test, and evaluate technologies that promote student learning.
- Other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in education, educational psychology, or the humanities such as history, political science, literature, journalism, communications, or philosophy AND
- Six (6) months of experience which included any of the following areas professional writing or editing, design and/or production of evaluation tools, educational programming, curriculum development, or classroom teaching OR
- B. Baccalaureate degree in education, educational psychology, or the humanities AND
- Eighteen (18) months of experience which included any of the following areas professional writing or editing, design and/or production of evaluation tools, educational programming, curriculum development, or classroom teaching
Preferred Qualifications:
- Four (4) additional years’ experience in professional writing or editing, design and/or production of evaluation tools, educational programming, curriculum development, digital accessibility, classroom teaching, online teaching, or equivalent experience.
- An online education certification (e.g., Quality Matters, Illinois Online Network)
- Distance education or online teaching experience, preferably in higher education
- Experience administering the Canvas learning management system
- Experience developing training workshops and editing websites
- Experience applying Universal Design for Learning framework and/or creating accessible course content
- Experience planning, prioritizing, and executing multiple projects under tight deadlines
- Demonstrated history of professional service, collaboration, and interactions with staff at all levels
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
- Knowledge of principles of the theory and practice of instructional technology and distance education, methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects
- Knowledge of business and management principles involved in project management and the coordination of people and resources
- Knowledge of copyright and intellectual property laws
- Skill in analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems
- Skill in scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others
- Skill in oral and written communication
- Ability to adjust actions in relation to others’ actions
- Ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences
- Ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense
- Ability to develop goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish work
- Ability to work effectively with staff, faculty, students, and outside constituency groups
- Ability to effectively plan, delegate, and supervise the work of students
- Ability to utilize various computer software packages, including word processing, spreadsheets, presentations
- Ability to utilize and administer the Canvas learning management system
- Ability to work independently and exercise judgment in order to be able to analyze and investigate a variety of questions or problems
- Ability to analyze and develop guidelines, procedures and systems
- Ability to apply principles of universal design and accessibility to all aspects of work
Physical Demands:
Standing : Occasionally
Walking : Occasionally
Sitting : Constantly
Repetitive Motions : Frequently
Travel Requirements:
10% Some travel for professional development.
Employment Policies and other information:
Failure to accurately describe work experience, or failure to submit college transcripts may result in an applicant not being admitted to the exam.
UIS an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer with strong institutional commitment to recruitment and retention of a diverse and inclusive community. Women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. As a qualifying federal contractor, the University of Illinois System uses E-Verify to verify employment eligibility.
The University of Illinois may conduct background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer of employment. Background checks will be performed in compliance with state and federal law.
The University of Illinois System requires candidates selected for hire to disclose any documented finding of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment and to authorize inquiries to current or former employers regarding findings of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment. For more information, visit Policy on Consideration of Sexual Misconduct in Prior Employment.
Benefits eligible positions include a comprehensive benefits package which offers: Health, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability & AD&D insurance; a defined benefit pension plan; paid leaves such as Vacation, Holiday and Sick; tuition waivers for employees and dependents. Click for a complete list of Employee Benefits.
UIS employment in this role is not covered by Social Security, and instead, is covered by the State University Retirement System.
- You will not pay Social Security taxes and your earning will not be on your Social Security Record. (Your record will, however, show your Medicare wages.
- Your pension from the State Universities Retirement System may affect the amount of your:
- Social Security benefit and
- Social Security benefit as a spouse
Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Requests may be submitted by contacting UIS HR at hremployment@uis.edu or call 217-206-6652.
Please Note: All postings close at 5:00pm CST on the posting close date.
