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 Educational Developer supports the design, development, and implementation of professional development opportunities for UMass faculty, in the areas of online, innovative, and technology-enhanced pedagogies. Working within a team, the Educational Developer provides a wide range of evidence-based programming (e.g. workshops, fellowships, short courses, consultations, written and multimedia resources) and services that advance the teaching excellence of faculty and instructors and support the instructional efforts of other campus units.
Essential Functions
- Develops, facilitates, and evaluates courses, workshops, fellowships, and other professional development programming for faculty on a wide variety of topics related to online, innovative, and technology-enhanced pedagogies.
- Writes and produces high quality multimedia resources and instructional materials for faculty development on a variety of topics in online and multimodal teaching and learning.
- Researches, identifies, and advocates for evidence-based practices for teaching and learning; determines the strategies, services and support necessary for faculty to be effective educators in online and multimodal learning environments.
- Evaluates current faculty training and development programs and resources with an emphasis on improving and expanding reach.
- Participates in faculty consultations and course review assessments.
- Works collaboratively with various units across the university.
Other Functions
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
- Master's degree with more than three (3) years of related experience.
- Experience with secondary or higher education teaching.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to support faculty in activities related to course, program, and teaching strategies development.
- Demonstrated expertise in the design and development of technology-based instructional content across a broad range of disciplines.
- Demonstrated knowledge of higher education learning environments.
- Demonstrated commitment to integrating principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion in teaching development programming.
- Demonstrated competence working in partnership with university instructors, administrators, and staff.
Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
- Ph.D. with a minimum of two (2) years of experience.
- Extensive knowledge of higher-education learning environments.
- Proficiency in qualitative and quantitative methodologies including survey development and focus group design.
- Demonstrated expertise in educational research design and assessment.
- Experience supporting faculty in course design and evaluation.
- Experience in creating high-quality, multimedia educational resources.
- Experience with graphic design and web design.
Work Schedule
- Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm.
- May be required to work occasional nights/weekends.
- 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.
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.