Instructional Designer

The University of St. Thomas invites qualified candidates to apply for an Instructional Designer position within the Innovation Technology Services Department.

The University of St. Thomas embraces diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity for all. Our convictions of dignity, diversity and personal attention call us to embody and champion a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment.  The University is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer (EEO).  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, status as a protected veteran, or other protected characteristic.  We are committed to building a skilled team that represents a variety of backgrounds and perspectives. This commitment is consistent with our mission: Inspired by Catholic intellectual tradition, the University of St. Thomas educates students to be morally responsible leaders who think critically, act wisely, and work skillfully to advance the common good.  A successful candidate will possess a commitment to the ideals of this mission.

JOIN OUR COMMUNITY

The University of St. Thomas offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits program, which includes:

• Up to 100% tuition remission for employees, spouses, and dependents upon eligibility
• A generous Employer retirement contribution of 9.4% of annual salary upon eligibility
• Medical, dental, and vision options
• Employer-paid disability, life, and AD&D benefits

JOB SUMMARY

The Instructional Designer position is part of the St. Thomas E-Learning and Research Center (STELAR) within ITS.  The Instructional Designer is instrumental in helping faculty to create highly engaging and effective online and blended learning experiences in support of St. Thomas’ strategic plan for growth in online learning.  The instructional designer will take primary responsibility for the completion of specific new online or blended degrees, certificates and courses each academic semester, as assigned by the AVP of E-learning and Research.

The instructional designer will also create and deliver training workshops, courses and events for faculty, and provide drop-in support for faculty teaching online or using the campus LMS for face-to-face classes.

Types of regular activities include:

• Working collaboratively with faculty to design and develop online and blended courses that meet generally accepted standards and best practices, such as Quality Matters
• Working to build out online course resources in the campus LMS and meet deadlines.
• Assisting faculty in selecting appropriate technologies beyond the LMS based on analysis of teaching objectives, learning outcomes, and accreditation standards where relevant.
• Creating and leading workshops, classes and training sessions for faculty.
• Providing individual and group consultations for faculty regarding online or blended course design and effective use of learning technologies.
• Developing online resource materials regarding trends, best practices and solutions for online and blended course design and delivery.
• Collaborating with other professional staff in order to continuously improve teaching and learning support for faculty.
• Working on special projects as needed by the AVP of E-learning and Research.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Lead the creation of online and blended degrees and courses. 
Work collaboratively with faculty to design and develop specific online and/or blended courses and programs as assigned by the AVP of E-learning and Research. 

• Serve as a main point of contact with representatives from colleges and academic departments and guide the design process for online and blended programs that meet timelines and expectations for quality.
• In collaboration with faculty, design and develop the elements of the online courses that make up the assigned degree program, e.g., assignments, discussion prompts, group work, assessments, videos, etc.
• Working in the LMS, build out the specific online and blended courses that make up the assigned degree program.

2. Develop and deliver training and documentation to faculty.
Create online/blended and face-to-face training modules and workshops for faculty, as well as documentation and knowledge base articles, on topics related to:

• Online & blended learning best practices,
• Effective use of classroom technology
• Use of the campus LMS
• New instructional technologies or online teaching best practices
• Other related topics

3. Provide instructional design consultation and LMS support to faculty teaching traditional courses

Provide support to faculty on an appointment and walk-in basis on topics related to the mission of STELAR, including those listed above.

4. Present at university events and local and national conferences about STELAR projects and innovations
Disseminate information about projects and innovative achievements in STELAR as part of our engagement with the larger online learning and higher education communities.

Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in instructional design, educational technology, or a related field
• Two years of related work experience
• Online course design and development experience in a not-for-profit higher education setting
• Experience with a variety of instructional technologies including learning management systems, web conferencing, collaboration, and lecture capture
• Experience developing and delivering training sessions, both face-to-face and online.

An equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and skills have been acquired may be substituted.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree
• Experience with the Canvas learning management system
• Ability to conduct reviews of existing blended/online courses using Quality Matters rubric or another assessment tool
• Completion of Quality Matters or other similar certification
• Experience designing instructional materials and media that meet ADA/accessibility standards
• Teaching experience in a higher education setting
• Knowledge of academic structures and values

HOW TO APPLY

All interested candidates must apply online at https://www.stthomas.edu/jobs/ . Follow the instructions to complete an online application which includes creating or updating an applicant profile, uploading a resume, and completing a job specific application.

In light of its commitment to create and maintain a safe learning and working environment, employment with the University of St. Thomas requires consent and successful completion of a background screening.

Official job posting is available at www.stthomas.edu/jobs .

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