Learning Management System (LMS) Specialist

About the role

The LMS Specialist serves as the primary support for the Blackboard Learning Management System (LMS). In this role, you will design, develop, and maintain online courses and educational materials within the Blackboard LMS, working primarily with the Curriculum and Faculty Developer and faculty Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to enact modifications to curriculum in the LMS.

Responsibilities

• Support the Curriculum and Faculty Developer with execution of course creation and modification specifically in the LMS.
• Customize and configure the Blackboard platform to meet specific course and program requirements, including the setup of assignments, assessments, and discussion boards.
• Coordinate curriculum modification and improvement with Curriculum and Faculty Developer and faculty subject matter experts.
• Collaborate with instructors, subject matter experts, and educational technologists to design and develop online courses using Blackboard.
• Implement best practices for user experience and accessibility, ensuring that all content is user-friendly and complies with accessibility standards.
• Provide technical support and training to faculty and students on the use of Blackboard, troubleshooting issues, and optimizing the platform's capabilities.
• Stay current with Blackboard updates, plugins, and integrations, and evaluate their potential impact on curriculum and instructional design.
• Monitor and analyze data and analytics within Blackboard to assess the effectiveness of courses, making data-driven recommendations for improvements.
• Collaborate with the IT department to troubleshoot and resolve technical issues related to Blackboard integration with other systems and technologies.
• Assist faculty with the creation of content items, units, and modules under the direction of Curriculum and Faculty Developer or Program Directors.
• Assist with tracking and monitoring of course development activities, initiatives, and deadlines within the LMS.
• Provide ad hoc reporting to the President, Director of Admission, Vice President, Deans, and Academic Advisors with updates upon request.
• Assist faculty and students with troubleshooting, navigating, or otherwise using the LMS platform effectively.
• Attend meetings regarding training, orientation, platform, academic department, monthly start, and others as needed.
• Assist the registrars and deans with attendance and grade updates from LMS to student information system.
• Review reports to ensure accuracy of course codes in Catalog and student information system against Master Course Catalog in LMS.
• Prepare online courses for the start of the term.
• Ensure that class, student, and faculty information pass accurately between the student information system and LMS.
• Assist faculty and campus academic staff with troubleshooting, training, and maintaining course shells in LMS.
• Review and update appropriate pieces of Campus Master Plans.
• Support IE Director in creating reports based on data collected by IE.
• Ensure LMS platform software is updated on regular maintenance schedule.
• Collaborate with Course Design Team and Blackboard representatives to maintain currency on the platform.

Qualifications

• Earned master's degree from an accredited institution required. Degrees in Instructional Design, Education Technology or related field are preferred. Doctorate is preferred.
• Minimum 2 years of academic and/or administration experience.
• Proven expertise in Blackboard.
• Strong knowledge of e-learning principles, instructional design methodologies, and adult learning theory.
• Experience with e-learning authoring tools and multimedia software.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.