Instructional Design

University of Missouri System

The University of Missouri System (UM System) serves Missouri as the state's land-grant university and Missouri's only public research and doctoral-level institution.  It has a unique mission to advance the opportunities for success and well-being for Missouri, the nation, and the world through transformative teaching, research, innovation, engagement and inclusion.

The UM System consists of system administration and four universities: the University of Missouri-Columbia, the University of Missouri-Kansas City, the Missouri University of Science and Technology, the University of Missouri-St. Louis, and all of their component parts, including MU Health, MU Extension and UM Engagement.  It is important that this broad and comprehensive organization uses data-informed approaches to make strategic decisions to achieve excellence.  

The University of Missouri - Office of Human Resources provides leadership in the planning, integration, and implementation of Human Resource services and programs for faculty and staff across all campuses and the health system. Collectively with campus colleagues, we serve as a strategic and trusted advisor, support an inclusive and dynamic culture and workforce, and pursue continuous improvement through knowledge, collaboration and leadership.

UM System Description (combined)

Instructional Designer (3 positions)

Position Summary

As a professional in the Office of eLearning at the University of Missouri, the Instructional Designer is responsible for designing effective, high-quality learning experiences, and providing pedagogical and curricular consultation for online, hybrid, and technology-enhanced learning environments. The role is also responsible for planning, developing and delivering faculty professional development experiences on the topics of online teaching, online course design, and the effective use of technology in teaching. In these capacities, this position will work with assigned academic units across the University of Missouri System and will collaborate with other instructional designers, instructional developers, educational technologists and other staff in the Office of eLearning in support of department and institution-wide initiatives and projects. The positions associated with this posting will be located on either the campus of the University of Missouri - St. Louis (2 positions) or the University of Missouri - Columbia (1 position).

Responsibilities

• Cultivates close, collaborative, and professional working relationships with faculty, staff and administrators in assigned academic unit(s) and within the Office of eLearning
• Provides professional, effective, and timely support to assigned academic unit(s) in the areas of pedagogy and educational technology
• In consultation with faculty members:
  • Ensures the instructional quality of courses, including alignment between course activities and objectives
  • Recommends innovative approaches, strategies and technologies to solve instructional problems 
  • Helps define educational goals, assess learner needs, and choose appropriate delivery media
  • Designs & develops online, hybrid, or technology-enhanced courses 
  • Collaborates on updates and revisions to online courses, including periodic quality review
  • Assesses courses to determine if quality guidelines have been met in accordance with educational standards and systems such as Quality Matters
• Performs project management of course design and development
• Works collaboratively with related campus offices to plan, develop, and offer workshops and programs
• Facilitates consultations, workshops or other events in areas of instructional design and educational technology
• Assists in preparing faculty for successful online teaching
• Advocates for the meaningful use of technology for teaching and learning
• Advises on curriculum and/or program design for online & hybrid degree/certificate programs
• Maintains currency with campus initiatives, trends, research and best practices in technology, online & higher education, learning theory and instructional design theory, including generational and inclusive learning strategies
• Completes course quality reviews as assigned
• Reflects on, researches, adopts, and shares instructional design best practices and solutions with colleagues. 
• Completes other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Instructional Design, Instructional Technology, Education, or a related field.
• Two to three years designing online, hybrid, or technology enhanced instruction or curriculum in higher education or a related discipline
• Demonstrated understanding of instructional design, including universal design
• Extensive technology toolbox of e-learning content development and assessment creation software
• Instructional consulting experience
• Demonstrated leadership for initiating projects and seeing them to conclusion
• Excellent oral, written, and presentation skills
• Effective teamwork, interpersonal, organizational, and time management skills
• Knowledge of academic structures and values
• Ability to creatively work in a highly technical environment
• Well-developed analytical and critical thinking skills
• Strong problem-solving abilities
• Ability to work independently and on a team
• Ability to conceptualize innovative ideas & solutions
• Ability to concurrently manage multiple assignments and deadlines
• Ability to work with instructors from a wide range of academic cultures and disciplines
• Solid understanding of Learning Theory, Instructional Design Theory, and online pedagogy

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability & willingness to question status quo practices and influence others through persuasion and demonstration
• Experience with Open Educational Resources (OER)
• Participation in national organizations focused on teaching, learning, technology in higher education
• Experience and evidence of success in university teaching

UMSL Description

 

Job Title: Instructional Design eLearning Specialist

 

Location: University of Missouri System at the University of Missouri St. Louis

 

Reports to: Assistant Director, Center for Teaching and Learning

 

 

 

Statement of the Position

 

The Instructional Designer is responsible for planning, developing and delivering professional development experiences for faculty as they enhance their online teaching skills, designing online courses, and integrating technology effectively into instruction. One a day to day basis, the instructional designer will consult with faculty members as needed to create high-quality learning experiences for digital and online learners, as well as providing faculty development.  The instructional designer collaborates with other units on campus and as well as a team of instructional designers and developers in the UM System to apply quality standards to course design and assess the effectiveness of online instructional strategies. This is a full-time appointment that is reviewed annually. 

 

Responsibilities of the Instructional Design eLearning Specialist

 

• Assist faculty members as they define instructional goals, assess students’ needs, and develop methods to deliver effective curricula online 
• Consult with faculty as they create or modify online courses
• Promote the scholarship of online learning
• Provide support as groups of faculty learn to use academic technology to create and deliver course materials
• Foster a network of colleagues who are developing innovative and creative teaching collaborations

• Direct course and program design projects through their implementation, delivery, and further assessment
• Project management of course design (end to end)
  • Self managed for assigned projected
  • Management and/or coordination of others’ projects

• Align assessment and evaluation strategies, including peer review, with educational standards and systems such as Quality Matters

• Work collaboratively with related campus offices to plan, develop, and offer workshops and programs

• Develop, design, communicate, and research best practices and solutions for instructional design

• Maintain currency with campus initiatives and trends in e-learning pedagogy including generational and inclusive learning strategies

• Perform other duties as assigned

 

 

Minimum Qualifications

 

• Applicants must have a Master’s degree and five years’ experience in higher education, instructional or curriculum design, or a related discipline
• Demonstrated understanding of instructional design, including universal design
• Extensive technology toolbox of e-learning content development and assessment creation software
• Instructional consulting experience and/or experience working in a faculty center
• Experience and evidence of success in university teaching
• Demonstrated leadership for initiating projects and seeing them to conclusion
• Excellent oral, written, and presentation skills
• Effective teamwork, interpersonal, organizational, and time management skills
• Knowledge of academic structures and values
• Ability to creatively work in a highly technical environment

 

 

 

 

Preferred Qualifications

 

• Ability to work with instructors from a wide range of academic cultures and disciplines; experience with Open Educational Resources (OER)
• Knowledge of theories of learning and educational research
• Ability to teach in and affiliate with an academic department
• Participation in national organizations focused on teaching, learning, technology in higher education

 

 

 

 

Application Instructions

 

Applicants should submit the following components in the application packet:

 

• Cover letter that includes the following 
• Instructional design experience
• Contributions with developing or helping to develop college-level online courses
• Familiarity with accessibility requirements
• Experience and skills related to developing interactive and engaging learning activities in online course
• Organizing strategies that help keep track of projects, paperwork, appointments, and emails
• Online teaching experience

• CV or resume
• Statement of Philosophy of Online Course Design
• Names and phone numbers for three professional references, preferably from higher educational institutions
•  

   

  Applicants must combine all application materials (Cover letter, CV, and list of three references with contact information) into a single pdf or Microsoft Word document and upload as a resume attachment. Limit document name to 50 characters.

   

  MU Description

  Basic Function and Responsibility

  As a staff member in the department of Educational Technologies at Missouri (ET@MO), this position is responsible for designing effective, quality instruction and providing pedagogical and curricular consultation for both technology-enhanced and traditional learning environments. In addition, this position will assist instructors in their use and adaptations of centrally supported educational technologies.  In these capacities, this position will work with the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources and will liaise with other instructional designers, educational technologists and staff in ET@MO in support of department and institution-wide initiatives and projects. 

   

   

   

   

  Characteristic Duties

  ·     Cultivates close, collaborative and professional working relationships with faculty, staff and administrators in assigned academic unit(s) and within ET@MO

   

  ·     Provides professional, effective and timely support to assigned academic unit(s) in areas of pedagogy and educational technology in accordance with ET@MO support model

   

  ·     In consultation with faculty:

   

  o           Ensures the instructional quality of courses, including alignment between course activities and objectives

   

  o           Recommends innovative approaches, strategies and technologies to solve instructional problems 

   

  o           Helps define educational goals, learner needs, and choose appropriate delivery media

   

  o           Designs & develops online, hybrid, or tech-enhanced courses in accordance with ET@MO support model

   

  o           Ensures completion of course design and development projects in a timely manner

   

  o           Collaborates on updates and revisions to online courses, including periodic quality review

   

  o           Assesses courses to determine if quality guidelines and desired learning outcomes have been met

   

  ·     Provides assistance, guidance and training on centrally supported educational technologies for instructors using these technologies in their face-to-face, hybrid, and/or online courses. 

   

  ·     Facilitates consultations, workshops or other events in areas of instructional design and educational technology

   

  ·     Assists in preparing faculty for successful online teaching

   

  ·     Advocates for the meaningful use of technology for teaching and learning

   

  ·     Advises on curriculum and/or program design for online & hybrid degree/certificate programs

   

  ·     Remains current with trends, research and best practices in technology, online & higher education, learning theory and instructional design theory

   

  ·     Serves as the primary contact for assigned academic unit(s) on ET@MO services

   

  ·     Assists ET@MO administration in determining the nature and scope of support requests from academic unit(s) 

   

  ·     Communicates regularly and proactively with ET@MO and academic unit(s) on issues, innovations, events, etc. related to teaching and technology

   

  ·     Participates in ET@MO meetings, committees, task forces, etc., as requested

   

  ·     Assists in course development projects as assigned by ET@MO

   

  ·     Follows processes set by ET@MO for course design and development

   

  ·     Completes course quality reviews as assigned by ET@MO

   

  ·     Reports regularly to supervisors within their assigned academic unit and in ET@MO on assignments and progress

   

  ·     Completes other duties as assigned

   

   

   

   

   

  Qualifications

  Master's degree in Instructional Design, Instructional Technology, Education, or a related field.

  Minimum two to three years of experience designing effective, quality instruction and providing pedagogical and curricular consultation for both technology-enhanced and traditional learning environments, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

  ·     Excellent customer service skills

   

  ·     Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills

   

  ·     Highly-developed organization skills

   

  ·     Well-developed analytical and critical thinking skills

   

  ·     Strong problem-solving abilities

   

  ·     Ability to conceptualize innovative ideas & solutions

   

  ·     Ability to concurrently manage multiple assignments and deadlines

   

  ·     Ability to work independently and on a team

   

  ·     Solid understanding of Learning Theory, Instructional Design Theory, and online pedagogy

   

  ·     Fluency in navigating the web and using web-based tools to facilitate work, learning, collaboration, productivity, research, etc.

   

  ·     Sound understanding of, and ability to use fundamental web development technologies & elearning development tools

   

  ·     Ability to quickly learn new technologies and systems 

   

   

   

  Preferred Qualifications

  ·       Ability & willingness to question status quo practices and influence others through persuasion and demonstration

  Application Instructions:

  Please complete the brief online application and submit a resume or C.V. and a cover letter for consideration.

  Recruitment efforts are being coordinated by the Executive Recruitment Team in UM System Human Resources.  Please contact Lari Hannah Melbourne, Director of Recruitment (melbournel@umsystem.edu) with any questions about the position.

  Diversity Commitment

  The University of Missouri is fully committed to achieving the goal of a diverse and inclusive academic community of faculty, staff and students. We seek individuals who are committed to this goal and our core campus values of respect, responsibility, discovery and excellence.

  Benefit Eligibility

  This position is eligible for University benefits.  The University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, paid time off, and educational fee discounts.  For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at http://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits

  Equal Employment Opportunity

  Equal Opportunity is and shall be provided for all employees and applicants for employment on the basis of their demonstrated ability and competence without unlawful discrimination on the basis of their race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable state or federal law. This policy shall not be interpreted in such a manner as to violate the legal rights of religious organizations or the recruiting rights of military organizations associated with the Armed Forces or the Department of Homeland Security of the United States of America. For more information, call the Vice Chancellor of Human Resource Services/Affirmative Action officer at 573-882-4256.

  To request ADA accommodations, please call the Disability Inclusion and ADA Compliance Manager at 573-884-7278.

  EEO IS THE LAW

  To read more about Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) please use the following links:

  EEO is the Law English Version

  EEO is the Law Spanish Version

  EEO is the Law Chinese Version

  Lari Hannah Melbourne

  HR Consultant

  University of Missouri System

  melbournel@umsystem.edu

  573.884.2402

  The University will recruit and employ qualified personnel and will provide equal opportunities during employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability or status as a Vietnam-era veteran.