Instructional Designer, Temporary Exempt BE

This is a one year assignment and the position can be hybrid or fully remote.

JOB SUMMARY

As a member of the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence (CTLE), the Instructional Designer provides faculty with course design support in creating effective and engaging learning environments informed by desired learning outcomes. The primary role of this temporary position will be to support faculty during the institutional transition from Blackboard Learn to Canvas. This will include working in concert with the LMS transition team and providing evidence-based pedagogical support during this migration in an effort to enhance learning environments across all modalities and optimize courses for student success. The role involves consulting with faculty from diverse disciplines to identify course goals and align applicable instructional strategies. An area of focus will be the integration of innovative online and technology-enhanced course components with consideration for principles of accessibility and Universal Design for Learning (UDL).

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Provides instructional design support to faculty through consultation with individuals and collaborative course design teams
• Assists faculty in the development of course materials for delivery of face-to-face, hybrid, and online courses
• Assists faculty with conversion of face-to-face courses to hybrid and online formats
• Works in collaboration with the LMS transition team to assist faculty with pedagogical considerations as courses are migrated from Blackboard Learn to Canvas
• Acts as a resource for faculty to integrate instructional best practices in their courses during migration from one LMS to another

MARGINAL DUTIES 

• Performs all other duties as assigned

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES 

Knowledge: 

• Knowledge of trends, issues, and accepted practices relevant to instructional design

Skills: 

• Candidates must have strong analytical and problem-solving skills, as well as excellent interpersonal and communication skills

Abilities:

• Ability to effectively communicate with a wide range of individuals and constituencies in a diverse university community

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Work is normally performed in a typical interior work environment, which does not subject the employee to any unpleasant elements
• Position is physically comfortable; individual has discretion about walking, standing, etc
• Work environment involves minimal exposure to physical risks

The University of Houston-Downtown is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. Minorities, women, veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. UHD is committed to equal opportunity and complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. All applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, sex, genetic information, religion, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, except where such distinction is required by law.

Required Education: 

• Bachelor’s Degree

Required Experience: 

• Minimum of 3 years of related job experience, including teaching in higher education
• Experience using the Canvas LMS to teach and/or design courses

License/Certification: 

• None Required 

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Masters degree in Instructional Design, Educational Technology, or related field
• Quality Matters (QM) and/or Online Learning Consortium (OLC) certification in online course design and/or delivery
• Experience designing learning environments for FTIC students and underrepresented student groups
• Experience providing pedagogical support to faculty during an LMS migration
• Experience providing instructional design support using Canvas
• General knowledge of Blackboard navigation and functionality

About University of Houston Downtown

The second-largest university in Houston, the University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) is a comprehensive, four-year, urban university in the heart of downtown. Led by President Loren J. Blanchard, UHD is a community of diverse faculty, staff, students, and regional partners dedicated to nurturing talent, generating knowledge, and driving socioeconomic mobility for a just and sustainable future.  

Since opening its doors in 1974, UHD has grown in size, scope, and service, now offering 46 bachelor’s and 11 master’s degree programs and 17 fully online programs within its four colleges: Marilyn Davies College of Business, College of Humanities & Social Sciences, College of Public Service, and College of Sciences & Technology.

UHD educates approximately 15,000 students annually. With more than 77% of UHD’s students coming directly from Harris County, UHD is not just a university in Houston, but Houston’s University and an Anchor Institution for the region.

UHD is recognized as a Hispanic-Serving Institution, a Minority-Serving Institution, and a Military-Friendly School. While the student population is largely Hispanic at 53% and African-American at 20%, more than 64 countries are represented. Furthermore, UHD has the most affordable tuition among four-year universities in Houston, and its graduates have the lowest student loan debt in the state. Importantly, 70% of UHD freshman students are the first in their families to attend college.

UHD is one of the four distinct and separate components of the University of Houston System, which also includes the University of Houston, University of Houston-Clear Lake, and University of Houston-Victoria.  Instructional Sites operated by UHD are University of Houston-Downtown Northwest, University of Houston-Downtown at Lone Star College-Kingwood, and University of Houston-Downtown at Lone Star College-Woodlands

The University of Houston-Downtown is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. Minorities, women, veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. UHD is committed to equal opportunity and complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. All applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, sex, genetic information, religion, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, except where such distinction is required by law.