Instructional Designer

Title:   Instructional Designer

Salary: $65,000/year

Classification: Non-Exempt

Scope of Position

• To design and develop engaging and interactive curriculum that embraces adult learning concepts, including andragogy and heutagogy, and meets customer needs across a variety of industries. This entry-level role focuses on the creation and delivery of curriculum and training materials, while building foundational skills in instructional design tools, evaluation methods, and project support.

Essential Functions

• Participate in all aspects of curriculum development by creating engaging content, e-learning activities, training materials, training modules, and teaching aides.
• Support the development of project charters to define scope, deliverables, and timelines for curriculum design projects.
• Assess training needs through skill gap analyses, surveys, interviews, focus groups, and consultation with managers, instructors, or customer subject matter experts.
• Evaluate, update, and/or customize existing training and curriculum to meet current training needs and industry trends.
• Conduct research on specific topics to gather information needed for curriculum design.
• Design and develop in-person, blended, virtual, microlearning, and mobile-first curriculum to meet customer needs and optimize training effectiveness.
• Incorporate instructional techniques such as role playing, simulations, team exercises, group discussions, videos, lectures, and gamification strategies.
• For each training, complete an instructional blueprint, which includes identifying sub-modules, setting learning objectives, aligning assessments to objectives, selecting instructional strategies, identifying/creating aligned materials, and estimating timing.
• Develop instructional materials such as presentations with detailed facilitator notes, video content, handouts, student guides, instructor guides, quizzes and other assessments using Articulate Storyline/Rise, Canva, PowerPoint, or other similar tools.
• Develop interactive e-learning experiences using a variety of authoring tools within LMS environments such as Canvas.
• Adapt to and learn client-based LMS systems.
• Ensure all work follows accessibility standards (ADA/508 compliance) and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) best practices.
• Responsibly explore and apply artificial intelligence (AI) tools to enhance the instructional design process, including generating draft content, creating adaptive learning pathways, personalizing learner experiences, and streamlining course development.
• Evaluate AI-generated materials for accuracy, inclusivity, and alignment with adult learning (andragogy) and self-directed learning (heutagogy) principles.
• Facilitate pilots, gather feedback from stakeholders, and make revisions for deliverables before final release.
• Facilitate train-the-trainers to ensure facilitators deliver curriculum effectively and accurately.
• Support SMEs and trainers through collaboration to strengthen instructional quality and learner engagement.
• Create and conduct tutorials for technology training.
• Design and implement training evaluation forms and feedback mechanisms; support collection of evaluation data for continuous improvement.
• Meet and maintain a productive working relationship with clients and assist with marketing of EDSI’s services.
• Manage multiple tasks in a dynamic, deadline-driven environment with strong organizational, time management, and customer service skills.
• Utilize departmental project management and operating software to manage projects, track task completion, and organize work.
• Continue to pursue educational opportunities in education, adult learning, organizational development, instructional design, and learning technologies.
• Research and explore new and innovative learning technologies and approaches, including AI, gamification, and adaptive learning.
• Provide other instructional design support as needed, including support with online credentialing, administrative tasks, and facilitation of training events

Education and Experience Requirements

• Minimum of three years of experience in teaching/training adult learners.
• Preferred one to three years of experience in instructional design.
• Hands-on experience with Learning Management Software (LMS), with experience in Canvas preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in education, instructional design, human services, or related area is required.
• Knowledge of multi-modality, strength-based educational approaches, group and individual instructional strategies, and training design.
• Experience with Project Management software preferred and MS Office required.
• Experience with e-learning authoring tools (e.g., Articulate Storyline, Rise) and/or video editing software a plus.
• Basic understanding of evaluation models (ADDIE, SAM, Backwards Design) and assessment design (Kirkpatrick, Philips ROI, LTEM) preferred.
• Must have excellent technology skills with ability to rapidly learn new tools and systems.