Instructional Designer

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Position Title:

Instructional Designer

Job Category:

Academic Staff

Employment Type:

Regular

Job Profile:

Teaching, Learning, and Technology Specialist III

Job Duties:

Department:  Academic Affairs                                                                 

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) at UWRF is searching for an Instructional Designer to help our educators thrive in an era of digital accessibility, AI, and an ever-changing educational landscape. The successful candidate will work with the CETL Director and other members of the campus community (e.g., administrators, technologists, student affairs professionals) to help develop curricula and programming that reflect evidence-based approaches to instructional design and delivery. Further, the successful candidate will provide training and development for effective online teaching, effective digital delivery across all modes of instruction, and assistance in selecting and applying educational methods and technologies that further student success.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Instructional Design

• Designs, develops, and delivers educational development programs and activities, including Canvas-based courses, communities of practice, and workshops, that will support instructor certification for online teaching and provide more general teaching development across a variety of issues (e.g., teaching and learning strategies, instructional modalities, artificial intelligence, digital accessibility) 
• Assists and supports the use of educational technologies including, but not limited to, our Learning Management System (i.e., Canvas), screen recording software, digital annotation tools, and student response systems
• Consults with individuals, programs, and departments across UWRF to provide expertise in pedagogy, instructional design, and learning technology
• Works as part of various campus teams to identify and implement interventions that promote the use of evidence-based pedagogies across instructional modalities
• Stays up to date and current with respect to research and emerging trends related to teaching and learning, educational technology, AI, and digital accessibility so as to provide helpful resources to the campus community
• Infuses principles of equity, inclusion, and universal design into educational development opportunities, programs, and activities

University Support

• Works with the CETL Director to advance CETL initiatives and programming
• Represents CETL on both UWRF and UW (Universities of Wisconsin) committees or ad hoc groups to accomplish specific goals as well as to improve teaching and learning more generally

• Advises and supports groups or committees working on program-level curricular design and development by contributing expertise in pedagogy, instructional design, and learning technology 
• Collects, organizes, interprets, and disseminates data related to instructional program needs and educational development programs
• Other duties as assigned

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree
• Experience with instructional software, learning management systems/digital learning environments, online course delivery methods, and other instructional and learning technologies
• Experience designing and delivering effective educational development
• Experience with and/or knowledge of artificial intelligence and its potential impact on and integration within higher education (e.g., on instructors, students, the curriculum)
• Demonstrated ability in interpersonal, verbal, written, and presentation skills
• Organizational skills to effectively manage multiple projects simultaneously while meeting corresponding deadlines
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment and to maintain effective working relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds and abilities

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience designing and delivering effective educational development in higher education
• Teaching experience at the higher education level, especially online or hybrid teaching experience
• Experience with Canvas
• Training or certification in learning technologies, instructional design, or instructional technology
• Knowledge of digital accessibility and its application to learning materials
• Ability to discuss and apply equity-minded and inclusive pedagogies and design principles
• Capacity to work effectively with educators from a variety of disciplines
• Experience with a range of learning technologies

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Analyzes, tests, troubleshoots, resolves issues, and provides feedback regarding learning technologies

• Collects, organizes, interprets, and disseminates data to identify instructional program needs and enhance effectiveness

• Designs and develops engaging, effective learning experiences which may be face-to-face, blended, and/or online

• Designs, develops, or recommends multimedia learning materials. Facilitates communications with multimedia service providers to ensure instructional needs are met

• Designs, develops, organizes, maintains, and consults on instructional materials, activities, curricula, and assessment resources in accordance with current pedagogical practices, cognitive/learning science, and design tools and methods

• Provides training and technical support directly to learners in settings such as classrooms, labs, clinics, and distance learning mediums

• Designs, develops, and delivers faculty development and engagement programs and activities

• Researches, designs, and/or acquires learning resources, technologies, materials, and/or processes to support learning

• Provides consultation, training, and/or support for learning technology tools and platforms

Department:

Academic Affairs

How to Apply:

Applicants are required to apply online at Career Opportunities. UWRF will not consider paper, emailed or faxed applications.  Applicants are required to provide:

• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Letter of interest specifying qualifications and experience (cover letter)

Inquiries should be addressed to:
Cyndi Kernahan

Search Chair

[email protected]u

Deadline to Apply: Initial review of applications will begin upon receipt. For full consideration, applicants should submit all required materials on or before October 23, 2026. 

Employees receive excellent benefits including exceptionally low-cost comprehensive health, dental and vision benefits; employer match of Wisconsin Retirement System contributions of 7.20%; an attractive amount of paid leave per year in addition to paid sick leave. To learn more about our benefits, go to: https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/download/quickguidefasl.pdf

UW-River Falls does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term. If you have questions regarding this, please contact Human Resources at 715-425-4941.

Confidentiality of Applicant Materials

The Universities of Wisconsin will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the final candidates may be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7). 

Title IX Notice 

As required by Title IX and federal regulations, UW-River Falls does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its education programs or activities, including in admission and employment. Questions about the application of Title IX may be referred to UWRF’s Title IX Coordinator at [email protected]; the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights; or both. For more information, please see students.uwrf.edu/titleix. 

Criminal Background Check and Reference Check Policy 

Employment will require a criminal background check. It will also require you, your most recent employer, and all previous Universities of Wisconsin institutions and State of Wisconsin agency employers from the past seven (7) years to answer questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment per Universities of Wisconsin Administrative Policy 1275. 

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (Clery Act)

The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, which includes statistics about reported crimes and information about campus security policies can be viewed at www.uwrf.edu/police/annual-security-and-fire-safety-report or call University Police at 715-425-3133 for a paper copy. 

Reasonable Accommodations 

UW-River Falls provides reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodations for a qualified individual with a disability. If you need assistance or an accommodation in applying because of a disability, contact [email protected] or 715-425-3518. 

Academic Freedom & Freedom of Expression 

The University is committed to academic freedom and freedom of expression, and provides all members of the University community the broadest possible latitude to explore ideas and to speak, write, listen, challenge and learn, pursuant to Regent Policy Document 4-21 Commitment to Academic Freedom and Freedom of Expression.

UW is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other bases protected by applicable federal or State law and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.