Instructional Systems Specialist

Internal Revenue Service • Anchorage, AK

13h

About The Position

The Instructional Systems Specialist works in the IRS Human Capital Office (HCO), Talent Development area. The role formulates nationwide educational policy and technology-enabled learning programs, implements strategic programs and initiatives, and conducts research and development on emerging educational trends for service-wide application. It plans and develops technology-enhanced and blended operational training and performance-support materials, including for complex subject matter or methodologies. The specialist plans and evaluates experimental programs and uses findings to develop or modify programs; analyzes strategic business objectives and recommends and implements education policies and standards aligned with short- and long-range goals. The role also designs directives and instructions, recommends improvements to program effectiveness, and advises executives and senior managers on nationwide educational program needs related to human resource management and strategic objectives.

Requirements

• A degree that included or was supplemented by at least 24 semester hours of coursework appropriate to the work, including study in at least four of these areas: learning theory, psychology of learning, or educational psychology; instructional design practices; educational evaluation; instructional product development; and computers in education and training.
• At least one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the GS-12 level, applying adult learning principles and instructional design methods to review programs, identify instructional or performance gaps, and recommend revisions to course content, delivery, assessments, or performance-support materials.
• Experience conducting training needs analyses and using results to design and develop technology-enabled learning programs.
• Experience using instructional development software to develop online, virtual, computer-based, classroom, or performance-support training products.
• Experience developing evaluation instruments, analyzing their results, and using findings to revise or plan education or training programs.
• Experience planning and coordinating education, training, or technology-enabled learning projects and preparing recommendations for management.
• Experience providing written or verbal advice and assistance regarding training or developmental course design improvements.
• Current civilian employees must have completed at least 90 days of federal civilian service since their latest non-temporary appointment from a competitive referral certificate, by the applicable announcement closing or cut-off date.
• Applicants for positions above GS-05 must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements; one year (52 weeks) at the next lower grade is generally required for the grade applied for.
• The position is open to current permanent IRS competitive service employees in Human Capital Office business units.
• A person required to serve a probationary period must complete any remaining portion of that period if transferred, promoted, demoted, or reassigned before completion.
• Obtain and use a government-issued charge card for business-related travel.

Responsibilities

• Formulate nationwide educational policy and technology-enabled learning programs, and implement strategic programs and initiatives.
• Conduct research and development on emerging educational trends and developments for service-wide application.
• Plan and develop nationwide technology-enhanced and blended operational training and performance-support materials, particularly for complex subject matter or methodologies.
• Plan and develop experimental programs, evaluate results, and use findings to develop and implement new or modified programs.
• Analyze strategic business objectives and recommend, formulate, and implement education policies and standards aligned with long- and short-range goals.
• Assess impacts on customers, other programs, support requirements, risk factors, costs, and available alternatives.
• Design and issue directives and instructions and develop recommendations to improve program effectiveness.
• Advise executives and senior managers on nationwide strategic educational program needs addressing human resource management issues and organizational goals.
• Conduct training needs analyses and use results to design technology-enabled learning programs, including objectives, content, activities, assessments, and delivery methods.
• Develop questionnaires, tests, and other evaluation instruments; analyze results; and use findings to revise or plan education and training programs.
• Plan and coordinate education, training, and technology-enabled learning projects, including work plans, schedules, resources, deliverables, implementation steps, and management recommendations.
• Provide written or verbal advice and assistance on training or developmental course design improvements.

Benefits

• A comprehensive federal employee benefits package is available; specific eligibility depends on position type and the hiring agency can provide details.

What This Job Offers

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