Instructional Designer

$51,000 - $81,500/Yr

Pennsylvania State University - State College, PA

Full-time - Mid Level

Remote - State College, PA

Educational Services

About the position

The College of Agricultural Sciences' Digital Education Team at Penn State is seeking an Instructional Designer to join their innovative team. This role involves collaborating with a diverse group of instructional designers, multimedia specialists, and subject matter experts to develop online learning components, primarily focusing on online course content and educational videos for Penn State Extension's education programs. The instructional designer will be responsible for the entire lifecycle of course development, which includes designing, developing, evaluating, and revising short online courses and workforce training materials. Key responsibilities include determining learning outcomes, outlining and developing written materials, and designing multimedia elements that enhance the learning experience. The instructional designer will also be tasked with inputting course materials into the learning management system (LMS), editing LMS settings, and troubleshooting any issues that arise within the LMS. Candidates for this position must possess considerable instructional design experience, a solid understanding of online learning theory and pedagogical principles, and strong written communication skills. Additionally, strong wordsmithing skills are essential to enhance the comprehension of written materials. Preferred qualifications include experience in technical writing, visual design, and video design, particularly in writing storyboards. Candidates should have solid experience with learning management systems, multimedia development processes, and an understanding of accessibility and copyright requirements. The role requires excellent digital file organization skills, as well as strong interpersonal, communication, and time management abilities. The ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment is crucial. Attention to detail, self-motivation, and the ability to collaborate closely with a diverse group of individuals, including writers, designers, faculty, staff, and other professionals, are also important attributes for this position. The instructional designer will utilize the team's project management system, adhere to standard processes, and contribute to the ongoing improvement and documentation of the team's procedures. This position offers the potential for fully remote work.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with instructional designers, multimedia specialists, and subject matter experts to develop online learning components.
• Design, develop, evaluate, and revise short online courses and workforce training materials.
• Determine learning outcomes and outline written materials for courses.
• Design multimedia elements to enhance the learning experience.
• Input course materials into the learning management system (LMS) and edit LMS settings.
• Troubleshoot LMS issues as they arise.
• Utilize project management systems to track progress and adhere to standard processes.
• Contribute to the ongoing improvement and documentation of the team's procedures.

Requirements

• Master's degree or higher in a relevant field.
• One or more years of related experience in instructional design.
• Considerable instructional design experience and knowledge of online learning theory and pedagogical principles.
• Strong written communication skills and wordsmithing abilities.
• Experience with learning management systems and multimedia development processes.
• Understanding of accessibility and copyright requirements.
• Digital file organization skills.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Time management abilities to handle multiple projects simultaneously.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in technical writing, visual design, and video design.
• Experience writing storyboards for educational content.