Instructional Designer

The position is an Instructional Designer for VCU CPE & LEDstudio. Instructional Designers collaborate with faculty and colleagues to develop high-quality credit and noncredit courses based on pedagogical best practices. In addition, Instructional Designers collaborate with various University and community collaborators to complete special projects that support campus and departmental initiatives and academic priorities. Instructional Designers must be agile problem-solvers, capable of shifting between multiple projects with competing deadlines while maintaining a high standard of quality. These collaborations may be individual consultations relating to instructional design, larger programmatic efforts working with groups, and/or faculty development opportunities to enhance course design, facilitation, evaluation, and administration.

These engagements support the design or redesign of course components and projects such as:

• Developing the online course environment

• Creating learning objects, activities, and course content

• Designing of formative and summative assessment

• Integrating appropriate learning technologies

• Strategizing for content delivery and engagement

• Supporting guidance in Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance

• Collaborating effectively with media and web specialists to develop engaging multimedia learning experiences and ensure seamless integration of instructional content across digital platforms

• Designing and facilitating workshops and training sessions to help faculty integrate new instructional technologies and methodologies into their teaching practice

Instructional Designers exercise professional judgment in:

• Maintaining confidentiality in consultation work with faculty members, departments, and schools 

• Supporting the Instructional Design team in order to meet course design goals, faculty needs, and project deadlines in a timely manner

• Building quality course materials and components to align with VCU Quality standards

Other duties as assigned in response to the unit’s needs.

This position is eligible for flexible work arrangements, but does require periodic on-campus presence for meetings and events, and when indicated by leadership, and is subject to change based on business need and strategic direction.

AI should not be used for any part of the application submission or process.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in instructional design or other education-related field   

• Minimum two (2) years of professional experience designing, developing, and implementing online, hybrid, and/or technology-enhanced learning experiences

• Demonstrated knowledge of instructional design principles and best practices for adult learners

• Demonstrated experience with learning management systems (LMS), educational technologies, and emerging technologies that support teaching and learning

• Demonstrated experience designing and creating online resources of varying length and complexity for instructors

• Demonstrated experience collaborating with faculty and subject matter experts to design and develop learning experiences

• Demonstrated experience prioritizing and completing multiple projects at a time 

• Ability to adapt and solve problems proactively and independently

• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written skills 

• Proven ability to work as a contributing and collegial member of a team, and to communicate proactively within the team environment, with supervisors, and with the leadership team

• Proven time management skills

• Experience applying Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and accessibility standards in instructional design materials

• Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in a discipline such as Instructional Design, Learning Technologies, Curriculum and Instruction, Adult Learning, or a related field

• Experience designing and building credit and/or noncredit courses for community collaborators

• Experience facilitating workshops, training sessions, or professional development opportunities in a higher education environment

• Experience using Canvas, AI tools, and Adobe products in a higher education environment

Salary Range: $65,000-72,000

Benefits: All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.

FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt

Restricted Position: No

ORP Eligible: Yes

Flexible Work Arrangement: Yes

University Job Title: Instructional Design Specialist AA2