Union College is a public comprehensive community college providing quality, affordable, accessible educational programs that serve the greater Union County region. It is the oldest of New Jerseys 19 Associate Degree Colleges, serving both career-minded and transfer-oriented students since 1933.
The College enrolls almost 30,000 credit, non-credit and continuing education students and is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Many programs lead to the Associate in Arts, Science and Applied Science degrees.
Campus: Cranford
General Description:
The Instructional Design Specialist plays a pivotal role in supporting faculty and enhancing student learning experiences at UCNJ. This position requires a creative and collaborative individual with a passion for education and proficiency in instructional design principles. The individual will work closely with faculty to develop, implement, and evaluate engaging and effective online, blended, and hybrid courses.
Characteristics, Duties and Responsibilities:
- Collaborate with faculty to analyze curriculum, learning objectives, and instructional needs.
- Design and develop engaging and interactive online, blended, and hybrid course materials using a variety of learning technologies (e.g., Learning Management System, multimedia tools) that are innovative, user-friendly, and informative.
- Conduct research on best practices in instructional design and emerging educational technologies.
- Apply accessibility standards to ensure all learning materials are inclusive and meet diverse learner needs.
- Provide support and training to faculty in instructional design and online pedagogy, technology tools and methods, uses of instructional software, and effective uses of multimedia.
- Participate in the ongoing evaluation and improvement of online, blended, and hybrid courses.
- Stay current on trends and best practices in instructional design.
- Initiate specific projects/tasks to meet the needs of faculty and students pertaining to course materials and activities suitable for distribution through Canvas.
- Support technology platforms used by students enrolled in traditional, online, and hybrid courses.
- Facilitate training for the ethical use of electronic, digital, and virtual content in traditional, online, and hybrid course formats.
- Support mobile and desktop platforms for both PC and Mac.
- Assist in the production of standard and ad-hoc reporting by collecting, analyzing, and distributing monthly data.
- Assist in researching, developing, and documenting procedures, online course operations, and technology policies.
- Attends staff and college meetings as assigned.
Education Requirements:
Bachelor's degree is required.
Experience:
Preferred Experience:
- Bachelor's degree in Instructional Design, Learning Technologies, Education, or a related field.
- Minimum of 2 years of experience in instructional design or a related field.
- Experience working in a higher education setting.
- Experience developing online, blended, and hybrid courses.
- Strong understanding of adult learning principles.
- Proficiency in Canvas and instructional design tools (such as Kaltura, e.g., authoring tools, multimedia software).
- Experience in the integration of educational technology and AI/AR/VR in traditional, online, and hybrid courses.
- Familiarity in online pedagogy, course design, and Quality Matters certification.
Competencies and Skills Required:
Preferred Experience:
- Bachelor's degree in Instructional Design, Learning Technologies, Education, or a related field.
- Minimum of 2 years of experience in instructional design or a related field.
- Experience working in a higher education setting.
- Experience developing online, blended, and hybrid courses.
- Strong understanding of adult learning principles.
- Proficiency in Canvas and instructional design tools (such as Kaltura, e.g., authoring tools, multimedia software).
- Experience in the integration of educational technology and AI/AR/VR in traditional, online, and hybrid courses.
- Familiarity in online pedagogy, course design, and Quality Matters certification.
Physical Demands and Work Environment:
- This position's duties are normally performed in a typical interior/residence work environment, based on the activity scheduled.
- Some physical effort required; however, the employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
- No or very limited exposure to physical risk.
- Some travel required.
Union College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, marital status, religion, age, disability, handicap or other legally protected status in its provision of employment, education, and activities, or other services.
Union College is an EEO/AAP Employer/Protected Veteran/Disabled
Disclaimer: This job description outlines the general nature and key features performed by various positions that share the same job classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties and qualifications required of all employees assigned to the job. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or re-assign duties to this job at any time due to reasonable accommodations or other business reasons.
Union College offers a competitive compensation package and salaries that are commensurate with experience and qualifications. The following benefits are also provided: Medical benefits and pension plan offered through the State of NJ; Dental and vision benefits; Vacation days based on accrual system; Ten paid holidays and three floating holidays that are determined by the College; Tuition remission for employee, spouse, and eligible children for credit and non-credit courses; and Tuition reimbursement for approved degree programs at an accredited college or university.
