Instructional Designer I

Instructional Designer

The Instructional Designer supports faculty, staff, and students across the Academics, Career Technical, and Health Sciences divisions in the design, development, and implementation of high-quality instructional materials and technologies. Reporting to the Director of the Teaching & Learning Center, this position plays a critical role in enhancing online, hybrid, and blended learning environments by serving as a liaison to all academic divisions to identify technological needs and conduct quality assurance reviews. The incumbent is responsible for conducting needs analyses, managing complex course development projects, and delivering robust training programs on effective teaching practices and instructional technology tools.

Cross-Divisional Collaboration & Liaison

• Support all faculty members across the Academics, Career Technical, and Health Sciences divisions by providing expert instructional design consultations tailored to the unique pedagogical needs of each discipline.
• Serve as a key liaison between the Teaching & Learning Center and all academic divisions to identify specific instructional needs and provide equitable support for both in-person and distance learning environments.
• Partner with Deans and Division Chairs from every college unit to coordinate training initiatives and conduct quality assurance reviews for specialized curricula and technical programs.
• Collaborate with specialized programs, such as Health Sciences, to translate complex clinical or business workflows into effective digital instructional content.

Course Design & Curriculum Development

• Work collaboratively with faculty to design and develop online, hybrid, and blended courses that align with evidence-based instructional design principles and adult learning theories.
• Utilize effective needs analysis, project management, and evaluation skills to lead course development projects from initial ideation to final deployment.
• Implement and champion course quality rubric assessments, such as Quality Matters, to ensure distance education programs across all divisions are well-designed and student-centered.
• Ensure all instructional materials and digital resources adhere to accessibility standards (e.g., ADA, Section 508, WCAG) and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) frameworks.

Technology Training & Faculty Development

• Develop and deliver regular training sessions and professional development programs regarding effective teaching practices and the integration of instructional technologies.
• Provide robust technical support and training for the Learning Management System (LMS) and integrated third-party tools for all faculty, regardless of their division or teaching modality.
• Lead campus-wide training and conversations on emerging educational technologies, including the ethical and effective use of Generative AI within various fields of study.
• Conduct on-demand training for faculty on a variety of topics, including online pedagogy, student engagement strategies, and virtual assessment practices.

Media Production & Digital Resources

• Assist faculty and staff in the recording, editing, and creation of digital instructional videos, podcasts, and interactive learning modules.
• Design and deploy synchronous and asynchronous learning objects—such as infographics and research guides—to support varied learning needs across the college community.
• Work closely with library personnel and teaching faculty to integrate digital library materials and Open Educational Resources (OER) into the curriculum.
• Operate and maintain a variety of multimedia authoring tools and media equipment to support the creation of high-quality digital learning assets.

Administrative & Operational Duties

• Document and organize essential data related to faculty training, technology usage, and course development projects to support Institutional Effectiveness reporting.
• Proctor exams for distance education students and assist with other test administration processes as needed by the divisions.
• Play an active role in general outreach and marketing to promote the resources, services, and professional development opportunities of the Teaching & Learning Center.
• Serve on assigned college committees and represent the institution in professional organizations related to instructional design and distance education.

Qualifications

• Required Qualifications
• Education: A Master's degree from an approved U.S. Department of Education accredited institution in Instructional Design, Educational Technology, Curriculum Development, or a closely related field required.
• Professional Experience: A minimum of 2 to 3 years of professional experience in instructional design or curriculum development.
• Technical Proficiency: Demonstrated experience utilizing Learning Management Systems (LMS) such as Blackboard, Canvas, or Moodle.
• Course Development: Documented experience in developing online instructional materials for online, hybrid, and face-to-face formats.
• Preferred Qualifications
• Higher Education Experience: Previous experience working in a post-secondary or community college environment.
• Quality Standards Certification: Status as a Certified Quality Matters (QM) Peer or Master Reviewer, or experience applying QM rubrics.
• Multimedia Production: Advanced experience with multimedia authoring tools (e.g., Articulate Storyline, Adobe Creative Suite, Camtasia) and instructional video/lecture capture systems.
• Faculty Development: A documented history of conducting needs analyses and delivering professional development training to faculty and staff.
• Desired Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Pedagogical Knowledge: Deep understanding of instructional design principles, adult learning theories, and evidence-based best practices for online learning, such as ADDIE or backward design.
• Accessibility Standards: Proficiency in designing accessible digital content in compliance with ADA, Section 508, and WCAG standards.
• Project Management: Strong organizational and project management skills, with the proven ability to handle multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously with strict attention to detail.
• Communication & Collaboration: Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to translate complex technical matters into easy-to-understand language for faculty in varied disciplines like Health Sciences or Career Technical fields.
• Creativity & Adaptability: Flexibility to adapt to changing technologies and innovation in designing engaging, student-centered learning experiences.

Application Procedures/Additional Information

• Projected Starting Date: August 2026
• Salary: Salary Schedule E1-02, ($50,680 - $68,169) Based on the 2025-2026 ACCS Salary Schedules. Salary will be based on VERIFIED education and years of VERIFIED FULL-TIME directly related experience that is stated on the initial job application and resume. Be sure all experience is stated on the application!
• Application Deadline: August 4, 2026– 4:00 P.M.
• Application Procedure: Only complete application packages will be given consideration for employment. Complete package consists of (a) Gadsden State Community College application, (b) letter of interest, (c) current resume; and (d) copies of transcripts of post-secondary education. Application materials must provide documentation that the applicant meets all minimum qualifications.
• Applications Must Be Filed Online At:
• If at any point you have problems completing your application, contact the Human Resources Department at Gadsden State (View email address on click.appcast.io).
• Salary Calculation: For all positions on all Salary Schedules, the salary amount for the selected applicant is determined by step placement on the applicable schedule. Step placement is dependent upon the following: (a) all full-time work experience in public education in Alabama and (b) all other full-time work experience outside of public education in Alabama that, in the sole judgment of the College, directly relates to the requirements of the position. The applicant selected for the position must provide written verification(s) of this full-time work experience within the time provided herein if such experience is to be considered in determining their initial step place on the Salary Schedule.
• Format for Work Experience Verifications: Work experience verifications should be in the form of verification letters from employers and must include complete employment dates, job title(s), job duties, and an indication whether such employment was full-time or part-time, and if part-time, the average number of hours worked each week. The letters should be on official letterhead and contain an authorized personnel signature. The College's official employment verification form is also acceptable and is available upon request. If an employment verification cannot be obtained due to a legitimate reason, for purposes of meeting minimum requirements an applicant may submit copies of other trustworthy documentation such as appointment letters, contracts, pay stubs, or W-2 forms documenting the term of employment. However, such documentation is generally insufficient for salary calculation purposes if job duties and dates of employment are not self-evident in the documentation.
• Please Note:
• All application materials must be electronic. It is recommended that you have digital (such as pdf) copies of your cover letter, resume, employment verification documents (if applicable), ALL required transcripts, and any other document identified in the vacancy announcement ready when