About UMass Amherst
UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.
Job Summary
The Senior Coordinator of Faculty Support and Technology functionally supervises and leads a team of junior team members within the Instructional Design, Engagement and Support (IDEAS) group in providing advanced support in instructional technologies and exploring new educational technology innovations. The Senior Coordinator of Faculty Support and Technology also leads other projects and initiatives and may support UMass initiatives by partnering with other departments to help faculty redesign courses for improved use of educational technologies.
Essential Functions
- Designs and develops professional development activities to support faculty in adopting best practices in the utilization of educational technology.
- Consults and collaborates regularly with University faculty to plan for and design courses (online, hybrid and face-to-face) focusing on plans for the use of media and technology in the course utilizing a multimodal course design strategy while collaborating on course design including, but not limited to, finalizing course goals and learning objectives, course alignment and outline.
- Assists faculty with advanced educational tech trouble-shooting and in the conversion of face-to-face courses to hybrid and online formats.
- Collaborates with Instructional Designers and LMS Administrators to provide instructional support to faculty.
- Provides quality assurance for all developed courses to ensure quality standards in learning design, accessibility, and course consistency.
- Mentors and trains other staff members. Works to develop a welcoming, collaborative, and productive environment across the IDEAS team.
- Works with Instructional Designers and course design teams on course design, strategic initiatives, project timelines and documentation.
- Supports technological and design needs of new programs, including those with unique pedagogical approaches.
- Leads special projects associated with the advancement of instructional technology and design, teaching, and learning (both credit and non-credit offerings).
- Manages projects in the assessment and improvement of current online, hybrid, and face-to-face courses; and program development and innovative course design and delivery.
- Collaborates, assists, develops, and participates in professional development workshops related to course design and online teaching.
- Explores new teaching technologies, leads technology pilots and evaluations, and supports the adoption of new teaching technologies projects on campus.
Other Functions
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
- Bachelor’s degree plus six (6) years of related professional experience.
- Experience implementing instructional design and technology practices and course improvements models.
- Proven ability to lead and the capacity to contribute to the growth of a collaborative team.
- Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills, outstanding verbal and written communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to:
- Assess priorities and manage competing deadlines both independently and as a member of a team.
- Define and manage their own work processes towards specific team objectives.
- Communicate technical concepts to a non-technical audience.
- Work independently or with multiple constituencies, manage time and multiple projects simultaneously, set and accomplish goals, meet deadlines.
- Must:
- Be a fast learner and eager collaborator.
- Have a meticulous detail orientation.
- Possess a customer-service driven and team-oriented approach to work.
Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
- Master’s degree.
- Experience with:
- Multimedia technologies used for audio, video, screen capture and web conferencing.
- Online Learning Management Systems (LMS) used in higher education (Canvas strongly preferred).
- Public speaking, delivering faculty workshops, and giving professional presentations.
- Producing technical writing and creating technical support documentation.
Work Schedule
- Monday - Friday, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm.
- 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 activity.
Salary Information
Salary Level 28
Exempt 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.