Instructional Designer

JOB SUMMARY

The Instructional Designer actively collaborates and engages with subject matter experts to design and build effective and engaging online courses that include a range of compelling content, learning activities, assessments and multimedia. Additionally, the Instructional Designer provides guidance and support to subject matter experts and includes valuable feedback through each state of course development process from conceptualization to administration of the course. The ideal Instructional Designer must have a proven understanding of a variety of learning methodologies, LMS administration, rapid eLearning authoring tools, course design, development and support, and the ability to thrive within a fast-paced, collaborative environment. This candidate must possess experience and a proven track record of designing transformative eLearning content representing appropriate learning theories and strategies. This role is responsible for the editing and quality assurance of online courses and provides competency-based strategies to enable learning and mastery experiences. The goal is to facilitate learners in acquiring knowledge, skills and competencies in an effective and appealing manner through content engagement practices. The Instructional Designer will ensure that objectives and outcomes are being applied and assessed appropriately throughout the course design process. The position requires a well-organized, detail-oriented, and creative person that has the ability to meet hard deadlines and utilizes effective project management techniques to meet those deadlines. This role will also contribute to the development of processes and assist in the maintenance of current processes set forth.

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to: Senior Director, Digital Learning

Supervisory Responsibility: N/A

Indirect Supervisory Responsibility: N/A

ESSENTIAL DUTIES - May include, but is not limited to the following:

• Apply research-based learning theory and proven instructional design principles to create engaging course designs within established processes to keep up with current trends in instructional technologies, the industry, and higher education
• Cultivate close, collaborative and professional working relationships with faculty, subject matter experts (SMEs), and other members of the development team
• Create user-centered learning experiences when designing courses to include a global audience
• Design content applying competency-based instruction design methods in appropriate disciplinary and pedagogical contexts
• Track and report regularly to Project Managers and inform other team members on status and progress throughout the development process
• Manage the development of multiple, concurrent online courses from concept through execution including determining project milestones, delegating work to team members, and overseeing the course build and Quality Assurance (QA)
• Innovate and implement leading-edge methodologies using industry benchmarks
• Provide advanced application of multimedia design and development, including graphic design, audio/video, eLearning authoring tools, and gaming/simulation to design interactive learning solutions
• Write, maintain, and enforce Instructional Design processes
• Use course/product design documents that are based on sound instructional design principles and which communicate to stakeholders the vision of a course/product
• Ensure that courses meet standards of academic rigor and complexity appropriate to their level as defined by subject matter experts and academic departments
• Provide outstanding collaboration and communication in visual, oral, and written form
• Maintain accurate archives of course documentation and departmental tracking documents and provide timely updates/reports for institutional assessment
• Ensure the course content addresses, applies, and assesses outcomes and objectives for the course and program if applicable to ensure clear and measurable learning
• Identify areas of weakness in courses/products, and employ strategies for improvement to include, but not limited to, proposing new educational tools, learning formats, and technologies to enhance the student experience based on survey results and feedback
• Seek out and engage with opportunities to think creatively and find innovative approaches, strategies, and solutions to instructional problems or course delivery challenges; seeing things through to implementation
• Manage intake, organization, and thorough review of content and digital assets throughout the course development process, providing feedback to ensure quality, and building out the course within the LMS
• Ability to articulate passion for driving positive learner outcomes through innovation in digital education

ADDITIONAL/NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES

All remaining duties are considered "nonessential" within the context of the ADA, which means that the function could be reassigned to another employee in order to allow a disabled individual to hold the position. Alternatively, the manager could try to provide a reasonable accommodation so that the disabled individual could perform the function.

LOCATION

Remote (working from home/off-site)

EDUCATION

Required Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Instructional Design, Instructional Technology, Education, or related area required

Preferred Education:

• Master’s degree in Instructional Design, Instructional Technology, Education, or related area required

LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS

N/A

EXPERIENCE

Required:

Instructional Technology, Education, or related area required
Minimum of three years instructional design experience

Preferred:

Instructional Technology, Education, or related field preferred
Five years’ experience in Instructional Design

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Required:

• Familiarity with ethical and legal guidelines that govern online education
• Familiar with professional competencies for standard and competency-based instructional design
• Demonstrates alignment with professional competencies for instructional design
• Experience in creating original, interactive content
Ability to communicate effectively in visual, oral, and written venues

Preferred:

• Familiarity with HTML, CSS, and Responsive Design
Familiarity with principles of Universal Design for Learning, Section 508 compliance or accessibility considerations for online learning.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

All employees are responsible for maintaining an environment that is free from discrimination, intimidation, harassment, including sexual harassment.

• This position is considered non-essential for the purposes of Emergency Response.

Physical Requirements:

N/A

Travel:

No

Schedule:

Normal working hours

TRAINING

All new hires and employees transferring into a new position will have a 90-day probationary period within which to learn the functions of the job and to be evaluated. Following the probationary period, the employee can transition to regular status, have the probationary period extended in order to receive more training, or employment can be terminated. Required compliance training is as follows:

Training on university systems

SAFETY

• SEU promotes a safe working environment. Employees are responsible for completing assigned tasks safely and efficiently, and supervisors are responsible for creating and maintaining a safe work environment.
• Employees must report any unsafe work conditions or practices, as well as any near-miss incidents, to their supervisor and Risk Management.
• Work-related injuries must be immediately reported to Security and Human Resources. When life or limb are at risk, please dial 911. Supervisors and employees should ensure that injury/accident reports are submitted to the Office of Human Resources within 24 hours of the incident.
• Emergency Employees report for or must remain at work in emergency situations. Dismissal or closure announcements do not apply to this position, unless instructed otherwise by your direct supervisor or a member of the Leadership Team.

SCREENING

All full-time positions at SEU are deemed security-sensitive and require background checks. Employees required to drive their own personal vehicle, a rental car or an SEU vehicle in performance of their duties must pass an MVR records check and meet the requirements of the University’s insurance carrier in order to meet the requirements of the position.

DISCLAIMER

SEU is an at-will employer. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change. The employer retains the right to change or assign other duties to this position.

The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

SEU is committed to providing a workplace that is free from unlawful discrimination and harassment. All forms of discrimination against or harassment of a person because of his or her identification within a protected category are strictly prohibited and will not be tolerated. This prohibition applies equally to conduct by and against employees, vendors, visitors, and students.

Southeastern University is committed to equal opportunity in employment and education and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex (including pregnancy), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, or other non-merit-based factors. The equal opportunity policy will apply in University programs and activities, and all aspects of employment, including but not limited to recruiting, hiring, placement, transfer, training, promotion, rates of pay, and other compensation, termination and all other terms, conditions and privileges of employment. All employees of Southeastern University, by continued employment, agree to abide by the policies contained in the Employee Handbook and in the SEU Mission, Vision, Statement of Faith and Community Covenant.