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
cynthia.kernahan@uwrf.edu
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 titleix@uwrf.edu; the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights; or both. For more information, please see students.uwrf.edu/titleix.
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