Instructional Designer - College of Applied Human Sciences

West Virginia University • West Virginia, WV

8d • Remote

About The Position

The Instructional Designer is a professional position in the College of Applied Human Sciences at West Virginia University. The role works independently or as part of an instructional design team and collaborates with faculty and staff to produce engaging, effective instructional materials. The designer helps develop functional, intuitive, informative course materials aligned with instructional design principles and recommends interface designs, instructional sequencing, assessments, and course materials and activities.

The position coordinates learning management system course shells, supports online course design and delivery, and contributes to online program relationship- and capacity-building. It involves project leadership and coordination, faculty consultation and training support, accessibility improvements in accordance with ADA Title II and WCAG 2.2, and support for responsible use of generative AI in teaching and learning. The position is remote and is described as having a 37.5-hour work week.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• At least three years of experience in instructional design, including needs analysis, development, and deployment.
• At least three years of project management experience, preferably in instructional design settings.
• At least three years of experience matching online education technologies to instructional goals.
• At least three years of experience using learning management tools and systems.
• Equivalent combinations of related education and/or experience will be considered; qualifications must be met by the time of employment.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills, with a commitment to customer service and team-oriented collaboration.
• Ability to collaborate with academic communities and diverse stakeholder groups, including faculty, staff, and technical teams.
• Ability to interpret client needs and produce instructional materials.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines, track and complete tasks, and communicate progress through regular status updates.
• Ability to adapt to and learn new procedures and tools; effective negotiation skills; and an enterprising, diplomatic, proactive approach to problem-solving.
• Ability to work independently to diagnose and solve difficult problems while following established processes and guidance, and to contribute effectively as a project lead or team member.
• Comprehensive knowledge of current learning and instructional theories and principles, including adult learning, as applicable to e-learning.
• Knowledge of information architecture principles and methods.
• Expertise with tools for designing instructional materials, such as storyboards, flow charts, and assessments.
• Ability to apply creative problem-solving and instructional design strategies to create engaging, learner-centered materials.
• Experience writing HTML and familiarity with HTML editors, productivity software, and multimedia software such as Adobe Creative Cloud, Canva, Articulate 360, Camtasia, and Google Tools.
• Experience with web-based learning management systems.
• Knowledge of emerging technologies applicable to teaching and e-learning.
• Basic knowledge of and troubleshooting ability for website coding and structure.
• Basic knowledge of streaming audio and video, compression methods, file types, and formats.
• Familiarity with graphic design elements appropriate for online instruction.
• Working knowledge of ADA Title II requirements and their application to digital learning environments.
• Knowledge of WCAG 2.2 guidelines and ability to apply accessibility standards when revising existing course content and developing accessible instructional materials.
• Knowledge of how e-learning technologies can facilitate instructional goals.
• Familiarity with artificial intelligence technologies and their use in instructional design and development.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in a related field.
• Teaching and/or training experience.

Responsibilities

• Create, manage, and maintain LMS course shells to ensure consistency, organization, and ease of navigation.
• Collaborate with instructional designers, instructors, and content creators to upload, review, revise, and organize course materials.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues involving course shells and user access.
• Coordinate the transition of master course shells to live course sections each semester.
• Work with IT, training coordinators, subject matter experts, and other teams to maintain, update, and improve online course materials.
• Provide ongoing support for questions, concerns, and technical issues related to the LMS and related technology.
• Refine accessible course delivery in the LMS, apply ADA Title II and accessibility guidelines, revise existing content, and ensure new materials follow accessible design practices.
• Contribute to instructional design projects based on departmental needs and project demand.
• Collaborate with programs and instructional designers on course quality, continuous improvement, instructor training, student retention, and program growth strategies.
• Plan, design, develop, and deploy online instructional materials independently or with a collaborative design team.
• Consult with full-time and part-time faculty on instructional design and technology tools for effective teaching and learning.
• Support instructional integrity through systematic design and continuous quality improvement.
• Communicate about multiple projects, establish and track timelines, goals, and strategies, prepare periodic reports, and monitor progress through completion.
• Design assignments and learning activities that build AI literacy and critical evaluation skills, advise faculty on responsible generative AI use, and support institutional readiness for AI-enabled teaching and learning.
• Apply ADA Title II requirements and accessibility standards to online course design and delivery; revise existing content for compliance and develop materials aligned with accessibility guidelines and inclusive design principles.
• Collaborate with college leadership on program growth strategies and resource planning for staffing, tools, and projects.
• Maintain relationships with instructional support services to serve constituents.
• Assist in developing, distributing, and enforcing instructional design policies and procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• 37.5-hour work week.
• 13 paid holidays.
• 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year or more based on years of service.
• 18 sick days per year.
• Health insurance and other benefits.
• 401(a) retirement savings with a 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks.
• Wellness programs.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level