Instructional Systems Design Specialist - Air Force Language Training program

McColm and Company • Arlington, VA

20d • Hybrid

About The Position

McColm seeks an Instructional Systems Design (ISD) Specialist to support a foreign language instruction program for the Air Force. The ISD Specialist serves as the McColm's instructional design authority, ensuring that all instructor-developed classroom materials, slides, activities, and supplemental resources align with the client-provided curricula and meet the required standards. This position plays a critical role in instructor training, certification, and ongoing professional development, ensuring instructional quality across all four language modalities (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) and proficiency levels from ILR 0 through 3+. The position description below details the duties and qualifications of the anticipated position, contingent upon contract award.

Requirements

• Must have at least a minimum of five (5) years' experience in the teaching of foreign languages.
• Must have certification in ISD, or demonstrated equivalent experience.
• Extensive knowledge of instructional design practices, principles, techniques, and curriculum development, including the ADDIE model.
• Extensive knowledge of foreign language teaching techniques and instructional systems, including proficiency-based instruction aligned to the ILR scale.
• Demonstrated knowledge and skill in multimedia design and delivery methods, including embedded video instruction.
• Extensive expertise in instructor facilitation and faculty development.
• Extensive knowledge of standardized, web-based, interactive course delivery systems.
• General knowledge of and competency with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Adobe Acrobat Professional.
• Ability to legally work in the United States.

Nice To Haves

• Prior Air Force or military experience a plus.

Responsibilities

• Ensure that all instructor-developed materials, including classroom slides, activities, and supplemental resources, align with client-provided syllabi and lesson plan objectives, sample behaviors, and required content.
• Apply the ADDIE Instructional System Design model (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, Evaluation) to guide curriculum design and instructional content development across all course types: Traditional, Advanced, Pre-Assignment Acculturation (PAC), Special Project, and OnDemand.
• Train and certify instructors in the administration of client-provided curricula, including lesson plan delivery, homework assignment and grading, Scholar assessment using the 20-point ILR-aligned rubric, and integration of the Twelve Domains of Culture.
• Provide ongoing professional development for instructors in the areas of language proficiency, instructional methodology, educational technology, assessment design, and effective language learning strategies.
• Ensure instructors incorporate current geopolitical events and mission-relevant content, including technical vocabulary, near-peer adversary context, diplomacy and coalition building skills, and agile combat employment concepts, particularly at ILR Level 2 and above.
• Develop and maintain training and certification standards that prepare instructors to connect linguistic and cultural skills to operational contexts in support of the Air Force mission.
• Review and quality-assure instructional performance, including classroom delivery, feedback to students, homework evaluation, and assessment scoring.
• Collaborate with the Program Lead and training support team to respond to client-flagged student concerns from End-of-Course feedback within five business days, including proposed resolutions and supporting documentation.
• Support quality control by reviewing session recordings and instructor performance data as needed.

Benefits

• Benefits include medical, dental, vision, and life insurances, generous Paid Time Off, 11 paid federal holidays, and annual performance-based bonuses.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed