Instructional Design Specialist

Professional and Continuing Education
University of California, Santa Barbara

Summary of Job Details:

Under the general supervision of the Associate Dean, the Instructional Design Specialist collaborates with subject matter experts, instructors, and Program Managers to design and develop high-quality courses, workshops, and programs across multiple formats, with a focus on accessibility, andragogy, and UCSB academic policies. They manage all aspects of course development within the Canvas LMS—from initial planning to final delivery—ensuring alignment with institutional standards, ADA compliance, and curriculum committee approvals. The Incumbent also provides training and ongoing support to PaCE instructors and staff to ensure effective course planning, delivery, and alignment with learning outcomes. They develop and maintain training materials, contribute to instructional documentation, and help implement consistent standards and branding for online courses. Additionally, they stay current with emerging trends and tools in online education, support the adoption of new technologies, and assist in onboarding and training both new and current instructors and staff. Further, they coordinate course and instructor evaluations across PaCE programs to support continuous quality improvement. They ensure courses meet PaCE standards for presentation, branding, and instructional best practices and work with program staff to prepare courses in advance of launch. In collaboration with Associate Deans and program teams, they address areas for improvement, support instructor development, and contribute to ongoing discussions on instructional quality. Finally, the Instructional Design Specialist collaborates with Web, Program Teams, and Program Support to ensure course and program descriptions are accurate, up-to-date, and stylistically consistent. They regularly review and revise web content and related materials to maintain a clear and cohesive voice across all platforms, supporting effective communication with prospective students and stakeholders.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training
• 1-3 years Experience maintaining a professional relationship with learners, instructors/faculty, and vendors and other staff.
• Working knowledge of instructional design principles and learning strategies, including needs analysis, backwards design, learning outcomes and assessment design, and instructional approaches, including lecture, discussion, activities, projects, etc.
• Working knowledge of major Learning Management Systems (LMS), their principles and limitations
• Working knowledge of video production, as applicable its use in current instructional design
• Working knowledge of adult learning theories and education methodologies.
• Working knowledge of e-learning strategies, including but not limited to courses (e.g., processes and technologies, etc.), and ability to lead effective online and in-person classroom experiences.
• Demonstrated analytical skills to conduct analysis of course effectiveness and develop recommendations, demonstrating organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in planning, resourcing, and monitoring effective design life cycles of training and other learning and performance solutions to support Professional and Continuing Education programs.
• Proficiency in analytical, verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills, collaboration, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to work cooperatively with others and independently, both synchronously and asynchronously.
• Demonstrated project management skills and the ability to establish a production calendar.
• Punctual, conscientious about completing tasks, and demonstrated a sense of responsibility.

Special Conditions of Employment:

• Satisfactory criminal history background check.
• UCSB is a Tobacco-Free environment.

Hiring/Budgeted Salary or Hourly Range: $31.47 - $37.00/hr.
Full Salary Range: $31.47 to $55.12/hr.
Days/Hours: Mon-Fri, 8:00am-5:00pm
Benefits Eligibility: Full Benefits

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

Application review begins: 1/21/26

Apply online at https://jobs.ucsb.edu

Job #83216