Instructional Designer

Instructional Designer

The U.S. Department of State (DoS), Bureau of the Comptroller and Global Financial Services (CGFS), has a requirement for an Instructional Designer to support the Office of Customer Engagement, Global Training Team in Charleston, South Carolina. The Global Training Team provides formal courses and customized training for Locally Employed Staff and domestic employees to develop the core competencies required to support Department of State overseas and domestic financial management operations. This position is responsible for developing and maintaining course materials in multiple formats to accommodate diverse learning needs and ensure training remains current with changes in software, federal regulations, policies, and procedures. The contractor shall perform these services under the direction of a Department of State CGFS Global Training Coordinator.

Job Responsibilities

• Develop measurable learning objectives and align instructional content, activities, and assessments with identified learning outcomes.
• Design and develop training documentation, teaching aids, and presentations for financial software implemented at domestic or overseas locations, including the development of syllabi, classroom handouts, classroom exercises, answer keys, and training databases.
• Independently edit, modify, and update training documentation based on periodic changes to all regulations (semiannual, biannual, and annually - depending on the course), based on guidance from the CGFS Customer Engagement Leadership Team. Additional feedback for updates to training materials can come from co-instructors, students, and colleagues.
• Develop assessments, knowledge checks, practical exercises, and other evaluation tools to measure learner comprehension and achievement of course objectives.
• Conduct quality reviews of instructional materials to ensure content accuracy, consistency, usability, and readiness for delivery.
• Collaborate with Course Content Managers and Trainers to incorporate appropriate changes in current training materials and in future releases
• Assist in developing new online accessible training materials and courses using new technologies such as podcasts, web-based seminars, computer-based learning (CBL), and software simulation programs
• Effectively utilize approved AI-enabled tools, when authorized, to support data analysis, documentation, quality reporting, and process improvement while ensuring the accuracy, confidentiality, and integrity of all work products.
• Manage course evaluations assessing overall effectiveness through data analysis.
• Ensure accurate documentation according to rules, styles, and templates to meet established training guidelines.
• Support pilot testing and validation of new or revised course content and incorporate feedback prior to final implementation.
• Assist other members of the team as needed to successfully implement and train each post
• Support CGFS ISO-9001 activities as needed
• Perform other duties as assigned

Skills

Required skills:

• Must have a four-year degree from an accredited university or college in accounting or a related field such as computer science or business administration
• Substitution: Related experience may be substituted for education requirement (e.g., 4 years of related experience substituted for a 4-year degree)
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and SharePoint.
• Proficiency with Blackboard Learning Management System and instructional development tools such as Adobe Captivate, Articulate, Vyond, NotebookLM, and video production/editing software.
• Senior-level specialized experience with large financial management or accounting systems similar in size, scope, and complexity to DoS systems.
• Experience and expertise with design and development of instructor-led learning methods to enhance the learning experience and to transform existing or new content into effective self-paced and/or blended learning resources.
• Must be able to communicate effectively in English and facilitate learning in classroom and virtual environments for audiences that may include English-language learners.
• Knowledge of federal accounting and financial management policies, practices, reporting, and operations is desirable and may be substituted for the above technical experience and/or education.
• This position may require up to 10% domestic travel.

Preferred Skills, but not Required:

• Strong facilitation skills and experience applying curriculum development methodologies to financial systems training programs.
• Knowledge of USAID proprietary software products known as Phoenix, PhoenixViewer, the Global Acquisition and Assistance System (GLAAS), Agency Secure Image & Storage Tracking (ASIST).
• Experience with Department of State proprietary financial management systems, including:
  • E2 Solutions
  • RFMS/M
  • RFMS/C
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment, manage multiple projects simultaneously, and demonstrate exceptional time-management and prioritization skills.
• Prior overseas post experience.

Qualifications:

A four-year degree from an accredited university or college is preferred. A master's degree and/or CPA certification or Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM) is highly desirable. Relevant professional experience and management or technical leadership experience. Experience in staffing and resource allocation for developing, implementing, and supporting diverse tasks such as development and use of large complex systems. Demonstrated technical, task leadership and communications skills. Experience in analysis of automated financial management systems with preference for those systems supporting Department of State.

Senior level, specialized experience of large financial management/accounting systems similar in size, scope, and complexity to DoS systems. Subject matter experience with Federal accounting and financial management policies, practices, reporting, and operations is desirable; demonstrated capability to analyze complex financial systems requirements, problems and issues; and develop, communicate, and implement cost-effective solutions to the Department's requirements. The Department prefers candidates that have experience with DoS financial systems and accounting practices, and Treasury reporting processes and requirements.

Serves as a technical leader with the Department about contractual or technical matters, serves as technical lead for reports and reconciliation activities, financial systems analysis, financial management help desks or other functional requirements requiring the in-depth technical knowledge of accounting, automated financial management systems and leadership experience to guide contractor staff. Serves as technical expert for Government financial information management.

Must be eligible to receive at a minimum Interim Secret Security.

Work Schedule:

The contractor is expected to work an 8-hour shift on-site between the hours of 6:00 am - 6:00 pm (work schedule will be defined based on the work requirements of the department). The contractor is authorized a non-compensated 30, 45, 60-minute lunch Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays observed at the government site. Performance under this task order may require work more than the normal forty-hour work week to include weekends as the workload requires and may be scheduled or unscheduled, authorized by your Project Manager and Federal Management. The position is a 100% on-site position (5 days in office). This work location may be in Charleston, SC.