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 Instructional Designer creates engaging learning plans, objectives, and activities and develops course content to educate faculty and staff to design, develop, and deliver high-quality online instruction through effective instructional design processes supported by instructional technologies.
Essential Functions
- Guides, coaches, and trains faculty to understand instructional design best practices and to support those best practices with appropriate technological and pedagogical tools to facilitate online and face-to-face learning and interaction between students and faculty.
- Provides best practices for online faculty and staff in the development of pedagogical approaches, instructional strategies, and technical skills to produce high-quality credit and non-credit courses and other educational programs for a variety of disciplines.
- Draws on knowledge of and integrates a range of instructional design methodologies, technical resources, and interactive information delivery systems into the design of online programs.
- Develops, coordinates, and delivers training for faculty and staff in the effective implementation of instructional design best practices (e.g., ADDIE, backward design).
- Provides ongoing guidance to faculty prior to, during, and after instruction periods. Ensures that courseware is of the highest standards at the start of instruction and designed following industry best practices.
- Works as part of a team to provide course planning, design, and development services to individual instructors as well as departments. Participates in and occasionally leads instructional design projects.
Other Functions
Performs related duties as assigned or required to meet IDEAS and University goals and objectives.
Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
- Bachelor’s Degree plus three (3) years professional experience.
- Exceptional verbal and written communication skills. Ability to proofread, edit, and produce effective written materials and presentations.
- Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and public relations skills. Must possess a customer-service driven and team-oriented approach.
- Knowledge of online Learning Management systems used in higher education (e.g., Canvas, Moodle, Blackboard, Desire2Learn) or similar systems. Experience developing course materials in an LMS.
- Comprehensive knowledge of instructional design theories and methodologies.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate technical concepts to a non-technical audience, work independently and/or with multiple constituencies, speak or make presentations before groups, conduct effective training.
- Self-starter able to manage time and multiple projects simultaneously, set priorities, accomplish goals, and meet deadlines.
- Strong skills in IT, visual presentation designing and developing clear instructional materials in written, graphic, audio, video, or multimedia form, with creativity and attention to detail.
Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
- Experience in design and development of technology-based instructional content across a broad range of disciplines; integrating graphic, text, and audio elements in multimedia learning materials.
- Experience working with instructors in a higher education environment.
Work Schedule
- Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., minimum three days per week on campus.
- Some night and weekend work may be required.
- 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.
Salary Information
Level 27
PSU 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.