[Remote] Instructional Designer

Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. The University of California, Santa Cruz is a unique public university known for its innovative and experimental approach to education. The Instructional Designer will work collaboratively with various teams to manage the development of online courses, ensuring they meet educational standards and accessibility requirements while leveraging emerging technologies.ResponsibilitiesDesigns, develops, and maintains asynchronous and hybrid online middle/high school courses by applying sound instructional design principlesAligns learning objectives, assessments, content, and activities to support defined academic goalsSelects and applies appropriate educational technologies to create engaging, standards-aligned learning experiencesCollaborates with the instructional design team, subject matter experts, and cross-functional partners to determine effective delivery methods, promote learner engagement, and ensure alignment with established procedures and timelinesManages assigned course development deliverables using defined tools and workflows, tracking progress, addressing obstacles, and communicating proactively to ensure timely and high-quality outcomesParticipates in project planning and content review meetings and effortsTests instructional content and tools to ensure compliance with ADA/WCAG accessibility standardsDeploys, monitors, and troubleshoots course materials built into, embedded within, or linked through Canvas, as well as integrated e-learning platforms and educational technology tools (e.g., H5P, Kaltura, DesignPLUS, Google Workspace) to ensure functionality, accessibility, well-structured design, and a consistent user experienceOperates under supervision to carry out ongoing course maintenance, revision, and development tasks, receiving detailed guidance for new or complex projectsContributes to team productivity by collaboratively prioritizing assignments, analyzing needs or bottlenecks, and developing practical recommendations that support departmental goals and instructional design operationsIdentifies, initiates, and otherwise participates in continuous improvement efforts to enhance instructional quality and student experience catalog-wideRegularly engages in professional development, including self-directed as well as guided learning, to build instructional design expertiseParticipates in planning activities such as curriculum mapping, instructional sequencing, and job task analyses under the mentorship of senior staffExpands knowledge of instructional strategy, accessibility standards, educational technologies, and cross-functional collaboration to support increasing independence and contribution to team goalsSkillsBachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / trainingSound knowledge of instructional design principles and learning strategies, including needs analysis, backward design, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), learning outcomes and assessment alignment, and instructional approaches suited for the online environment. Understands how work within one course may impact adjacent courses, shared assets, or programmatic goalsDemonstrated attention to detail, analytical thinking skills, and the ability to organize, conduct, and synthesize analysis to inform decisions and develop recommendations. Strong problem-solving and organizational skillsProficiency in verbal, written, and interpersonal communication; ability to collaborate effectively across teams and negotiate shared solutions when neededWorking knowledge of learning management systems (e.g., Canvas), video and multimedia tools (e.g., Kaltura), course design tools (e.g., DesignPLUS, HTML), and productivity and project management software (e.g., Asana, Google Workspace). Demonstrates awareness of trends in educational technology and its role in delivering engaging, media-rich online learning experiencesWorking knowledge of copyright law, ADA/WCAG accessibility standards in digital environments, and related regulations and guidelines for online course development and distributionWorking knowledge of learning theories relevant to high school education, student needs, and instructional practices for online learnersDemonstrates a growth mindset toward emerging technologies, with experience or willingness to explore and adopt AI-powered tools to enhance productivity, support data-driven decision-making, and drive continuous improvement in workflows and outcomesTeaching Credential, ID degree and/or certification, or other/equivalent experience or trainingMaster's degree in instructional design, educational technology, curriculum and instruction, learning design and technology, or a closely related fieldFamiliarity with institutional policies and procedures that impact online course development, including academic integrity, accessibility, quality assurance frameworks, and instructional quality standardsBenefitsFull benefitsAbility to work successfully from a home/remote office and be able to fulfill the requirements of the UCSC telecommuting agreementAbility to work occasional evenings and weekends as directedAbility to occasionally work overtime with little or no advance noticeSelected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background checkSelected candidate must pass the employment misconduct disclosure processThe University of California has implemented a Vaccination Policy covering all employees. Employees, including new hires, are required to comply with any applicable policies relating to the University of California vaccine programSelected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance trainingCompany OverviewUC Santa Cruz was founded in 1965 as the movement away from the conservative '50s was in full swing and America was experiencing a transformation. It was founded in 2013, and is headquartered in Santa Clara, California, USA, with a workforce of 1001-5000 employees. Its website is https://gpm.soe.ucsc.edu/.