Instructional Designer, College of the Liberal Arts

Position Specifics

The Learning Design team within the College of the Liberal Arts is seeking an Instructional Designer to oversee all aspects of designing, developing, and managing online course portfolios. This position is not focused on technical support. Instead, the key responsibilities of the Instructional Designer are centered on collaborating closely with faculty authors to ensure course content and assessments enhance learning and support student success.

• Meeting with faculty authors to design and develop content for asynchronous online courses, including those that enroll adult learners.
• Providing guidance to faculty authors based on established learning frameworks.
• Reviewing faculty-created course content and assessments and providing research-based recommendations to enhance student learning.
• Acting as the project manager for courses in development to monitor progress; determine, set, and ensure others on the team adhere to schedules and deadlines.
• Collaborating with multimedia specialists in the creation of course-related multimedia elements (animations, illustrations, videos, virtual environments) and managing the completion of these elements within an established timeframe.
• Overseeing the work of Instructional Design Assistants for the setup and maintenance of approximately 35 courses each semester.
• Ensuring that all course content follows copyright and accessibility standards.
• Researching and promoting innovative trends and technologies that impact online learning in higher education.

Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge of learning theories, best practices for online learning, and current research in the field.
• Ability to draw from the above knowledge in their course design, reviews, and recommendations.
• Outstanding project management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication (written and verbal) skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with team members and faculty partners, as well as being comfortable delegating work to others.
• Experience with Canvas or another learning management system.

Minimum Education, Work Experience & Required Certifications

• Master's Degree
• 3+ years of relevant experience
• None

Important Application Instructions

• Submit both a cover letter and resume that highlights the qualifications and experience that prepared them for this position.
• Provide a link to an online portfolio (or attach samples) that demonstrates knowledge of online pedagogy via relevant school and/or work projects.

Background Checks/Clearances

• Successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

Salary & Benefits

• The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $59,580.00 - $86,400.00.
• Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being.
• In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time.
• One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children.

Additional Information

• The College of the Liberal Arts is supportive of flexible work arrangements when aligned with the ability to meet the needs of the unit and the essential duties of the position.
• This is not a fully remote position. In accordance with College guidelines, this position requires a minimum of three days per week of on-site work at the designated work location.
• The Instructional Designer will join the team at the Filippelli Institute of e-Education and Outreach.