Instructional Designer (2 Openings)

Center for Learning and Technology

102 West State Street Trenton, NJ 08608

Thomas Edison State University was founded in 1972 to break down barriers to degree completion. Fifty years later, it proudly serves a diverse body of adult students with innovative and professionally relevant academic programming in a predominantly online delivery. Our team of high-energy student-focused professionals is welcoming new members who are making their mark in education and are ready to help change the lives of thousands of adult students across New Jersey and around the world.

Candidates who are excited by changing lives, committed to the success of all and want to be challenged by new and innovative opportunities, should submit an application.

Summary:

As part of the Center for Learning and Technology (CLT) at Thomas Edison State University and reporting to the Senior Director of Assessment Development, the Instructional Designer position will work within our ADDIE cloud-based course design model to provide vision, leadership, and coordination in designing, developing, and delivering fully online courses and technology-enhanced instructional materials that promote academic belonging within a community of diverse adult learners. The Instructional Designer will work collaboratively with subject matter experts, schools, assessment developers, interactive media specialists, and e-learning specialists to create engaging, relevant, accessible, inclusive, student-centered, and career-focused learning resources, activities, and assessments.

The Instructional Designer will maintain Thomas Edison State University’s standards of excellence in course development and delivery and act as a project lead on course projects and in other assigned special projects necessary for the maintenance and development of online courses. The ideal candidate has demonstrated mastery of the ADDIE model and educational technology tools and exceptional skills in written communication and presentation, problem solving, troubleshooting, and organizational skills. The Instructional Designer must be comfortable working independently and under supervision, as well as collaboratively with team members.

The successful candidate will join a team of instructional design professionals, assessment development specialists, and skilled instructional technologists to provide best-in-class instructional design expertise to schools, mentors, and students.

Responsibilities:

• Build and revise courses consistent with the TESU course design and development ADDIE model.
• Utilize enhanced communication tools like Moodle workspaces, Slack, and MS Teams to collaborate and foster dialogue with CLT staff, schools, SMEs, and other TESU stakeholders to support the design, development, and implementation of new courses and programs to enhance student success and Universal design principles.
• Collaborate and consult with SMEs, CLT teams, and Schools to promote the effective use of instructional design strategies and educational technology tools, including the LMS.
• Work with development teams to create opportunities to improve learning by supporting the design of course activities and experiences that are relevant to students’ academic and career paths.
• Guide and assist SMEs in the development of new courses, efficiently incorporating their work within our instructional design methodologies and system.
• Apply in-depth knowledge of learning, instructional theories, emerging educational technologies, and best practices into the course design process to enrich the student experience.
• Obtain and evaluate course materials (including OER resources), both print and multimedia, to select and use optimal materials during the course development process to ensure course longevity.
• Align course elements, objectives, and outcomes, ensuring that all essential components within a course are internally consistent.
• Edit work submitted by SMEs for clarity, completeness, and sound instructional design principles and adherence to copyright.
• Work with the Instructional Services staff to ensure comprehensive, accurate, and up-to-date information on all textbooks and materials for each semester.
• Implement new and revised course materials into our LMS system.
• Work collaboratively with the Instructional Design Team to ensure that course quality components meet TESU standards, including but not limited to course backmaps, rubrics, credit hour analysis, editing, and ADA compliance.
• Maintain a commitment to cybersecurity awareness that serves as a first line of defense in protecting the University’s and Library's digital and technology infrastructure.
• Participate in University committees and initiatives.
• Undertake and manage projects, activities, or responsibilities as assigned by the supervisor.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of applying adult learning theories and educational methodologies.
• Knowledge of instructional design principles and learning strategies, including needs analysis, backward design, learning outcomes and assessment design, and instructional approaches.
• In-depth knowledge of learning and UX design principles, instructional theories, emerging educational technologies, and best practices in course design.
• Mastery of instructional design technology platforms, including but not limited to Moodle and the Google Content Management system.
• Open, timely, and consistent communication with your supervisor, CLT teams, schools, content expert, and other TESU stakeholders, escalating issues in a timely fashion as needed.
• A practiced proponent of web/digital accessibility.
• Embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion and enjoys a strong collaborative work approach.
• Experience in leading and managing projects in a remote/distributed environment.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills and the ability to work with staff and SMEs with diverse backgrounds and perspectives during all aspects of the design and development process.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and staff to create a high-quality, results-driven, team-oriented environment.
• Self-motivated, resilient, and deadline-oriented professional.
• Excellent analytical and organizational skills.
• Detail-oriented and able to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Effective project management and time management skills, especially with respect to the prioritization of multiple projects and tasks, providing up-to-date project data.

Requirements:

Education: Graduation from an accredited college with a bachelor’s degree in a field related to the position to be filled or an equivalency as determined by the appointing authority.

Experience:  At least three years’ professional experience in a field in a higher education institution that is directly related to the functions of the position to be filled (e.g., Instructional Designer), or equivalency as determined by the appointing authority.

Applicants who do not possess the required education may substitute required experience on a year-for-year basis (30 credit hours is considered one year of college).

A Ph.D. or an Ed.D. degree may be substituted for two years of the required experience.

Preferred Requirements:

Applicants will be familiar with issues related to adult students in higher education, specifically related to factors that impact adult college student’s motivation, engagement, and graduation.

Note: While this role supports a wide range of academic disciplines, candidates with experience in nursing education or the instructional design of online nursing courses are encouraged to apply, as that expertise is especially valuable to our current and future projects.

*TESU strives to offer a flexible work environment while balancing the operational needs of the University.  As such, we have several options for hybrid-work schedules.   Positions determine what type of hybrid-work schedule is available and, if necessary, adjustments are made to support University operations.*

Work Hours: 8:30–4:30 M–F

*Thomas Edison State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer*