Faculty Development Specialist

Michigan Technological University is an R1 technological research university founded in 1885 in Houghton. Our rural campus is situated just miles from Lake Superior in Michigan's scenic Upper Peninsula and is home to nearly 7,500 students from more than 60 countries around the world. Consistently ranked among the best universities in the country for return on investment, Michigan’s flagship technological university offers more than 185 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Research focus areas include defense, health, energy, automotive, environment, and aerospace. The area’s waters, forests, and snowfall support year-round recreation, including skiing, snowboarding, hiking, biking, and paddling. The University is an integral part of the region, supported by a friendly and welcoming community that takes pride in being a true college town.

About the role

The Faculty Development Specialist will plan, develop, and facilitate teaching-related faculty development programs, including badged courses, workshops, and book clubs. They will also provide teaching consultations, assist faculty with online course development, and contribute to other faculty development initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Manage and promote teaching-related faculty development programs that focus on effective pedagogy and use of educational technology for both online and in-person courses.
• Develop, coordinate, and facilitate programs, including badged courses, workshops, book clubs, and other offerings.
• Collaborate and coordinate with other units on campus, including grant-funded programs, that provide teaching-related faculty development programming.
• Develop and implement assessments of faculty development programs to support continual improvement.
• Research and learn about best practices in teaching and faculty development.
• Collaborate with other Center for Faculty Excellence staff to develop new faculty development initiatives.
• Assist with online course development support for faculty.
• Provide individual teaching consultations.
• Commit to learning about continuous improvement strategies and applying them to everyday work.
• Apply safety-related knowledge, skills, and practices to everyday work.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Instructional Design, Educational Technology, Education, or a related field.
• Previous experience in instructional development, instructional design, educational technology, or a related role.
• Experience developing and supporting accessible face-to-face and online course learning materials.
• Familiarity with educational technology tools (e.g., Canvas, Panopto, etc.) and productivity software (e.g., Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace).
• Basic understanding of digital accessibility best practices.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Instructional Design, Educational Technology, Education, or a related field (desirable).
• Two or more years of experience in instructional development, educational technology, or a similar role (desirable).
• Experience developing and facilitating teaching-related professional development (desirable).
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team-based environment, consulting with other Center staff and course instructors to develop accessible and engaging instructional materials aligned with course goals.
• Ability to professionally navigate difficult situations with individuals at various levels.
• Experience contributing to or supporting institutional initiatives (desirable).

Skills

• Knowledge of instructional development techniques, including creating content pages, multimedia resources, assessments, and interactive learning activities.
• Ability to develop and deliver teaching-focused courses, workshops, and other professional learning opportunities.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, work independently, prioritize assignments, and meet firm project deadlines.
• Ability to collaborate with instructional designers, educational technologists, and instructors, providing hands-on support in developing and implementing course components.
• Effective communication skills, with the ability to translate technical information into accessible content for diverse audiences.
• Proficiency in using learning management systems, video platforms, and productivity software for instructional materials development.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse groups and contribute to an inclusive educational environment.
• Familiarity with WCAG digital accessibility standards (desirable).
• Ability to work with both MacOS and Windows operating systems (desirable).
• Excellent skills using various software applications and web-based systems (e.g., Canvas, Panopto, Zoom, Microsoft Office, Google Suite, Camtasia, Snagit, etc.) used in the development of quality face-to-face and online courses.
• Strong problem-solving skills and adaptability in addressing development challenges.
• Skilled at graphic and web page design, including knowledge of HTML (desirable).
• Demonstrated success in, or potential future contributions to, working with persons with a wide variety of backgrounds and viewpoints.

Work Environment

The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.

Required Training

• Employee Safety Overview
• Anti-Harassment, Discrimination, Retaliation Training
• Annual Data Security Training
• Annual Title IX Training

Background check required. Offers of employment are contingent upon and not considered finalized until the required background check has been performed and the results received and assessed.

Pay

The minimum salary for this position is $72,500. The final salary will depend on experience and qualifications.

Schedule

• Full-Time Equivalent (FTE): 100%
• FLSA Status: Exempt
• Appointment Term: 12 months

Full ensured consideration will be given to applicants who apply on or before August 31, 2026; however, applicants will be reviewed until the position is filled.