Instructional Designer, UMOnline

Updated: 6 days ago
Location: Missoula, MONTANA
Job Type: FullTime

Application instructions are located at the bottom of the page.  Please apply directly through the University of Montana's career portal UM Jobs at https://umjobs.silkroad.com/ for positions at the University of Montana – Missoula, University of Montana Western (Dillon), and Helena College.  Do not apply through Indeed.com or use easy apply through Indeed.com*.

Only current UM Employees* are eligible.

*Open to all employee types including Temporary Staff and Student Employees

UMOnline invites applications for two (2) Instructional Designers to join their team. The Instructional Designer’s (ID) primary responsibility is to assist and support instructors in developing online, blended and hybrid courses, incorporating educational technologies in teaching and learning across the University of Montana and beyond. The ID should have a strong commitment to creating a vibrant and welcoming culture that recognizes, values, and respects diversity.

Responsibilities include:

  • Work with subject matter experts and identify target audience’s learning needs to create engaging and accessible learning activities and course content that enhance the learning experience.
  • Consult and collaborate across teams, both internally and externally.
  • Apply instructional design and adult learning theories, practice and methods.
  • Create supporting material/media (audio, video, simulations, role-plays, games, etc.) that is accessible and represents diverse perspectives.
  • Help determine criteria used to judge learner’s performance and develop assessment instruments.
  • Provide training and consultation of course design and development as well as ongoing support of best practices for online pedagogy.
  • Organize and maintain project management documentation.
  • Remain current with developments in the field of online design.
  • Support instructional research and analysis on learners and contexts.
  • Other duties as assigned.

The University of Montana is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and has a strong institutional commitment to the principle of diversity in all areas. In that spirit, we are particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of qualified people who would assist the University in demonstrating its five priorities for action : Place student success at the center of all we do; drive excellence and innovation in teaching, learning, and research; embody the principle of “mission first, people always"; partner with place; and proudly tell the UM story.

Position Details

  • Position is full-time, 1.0 FTE, Letter of Appointment and includes a comprehensive and competitive benefits package including Insurance package, mandatory retirement plan, partial tuition waiver, and wellness program.
  • Salary for this position is $50,000-$55,000 per year commensurate with qualifications
  • Job location is in Missoula, MT with possible opportunity to work a hybrid remote schedule in accordance with UM and department policies.

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Education, Media Arts, or related field and at least one (1) year of relevant experience (e.g. instructional design or technology, online education, adult learning, higher education) or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Working knowledge of instructional design theory and practice particularly in relation to delivering online/hybrid courses.
  • Experience teaching or training online (preferably at the higher education level).
  • Experience in developing an online course.
  • Experience creating ADA and 508 compliant content. 
  • Ability to learn new technologies quickly.
  • Excellent presentation, oral and written communication, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to explain technical concepts in non-technical terms to staff and faculty.
  • Ability to creatively translate abstract concepts into effective visual and interactive forms in a variety of media.
  • Ability to work in a team environment as well as independently with minimal supervision.
  • Ability to work under time constraints to meet project deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Master’s degree in Education, Educational or Instructional Technology, Media Arts, or relevant field, certification in instructional design, or combination with teaching experience in higher education.
  • Experience teaching in higher ed/training adult learners.
  • Demonstrable experience in developing and teaching within a learning management system (i.e., Moodle).
  • Experience with web-conferencing tools (e.g. Zoom, Adobe Connect, Connect or GoToMeeting), social media, mobile apps, Box/Google Drive tools, open educational resources (OER), and other emerging educational technologies.
  • Experience with multi-media software, interactive video production (such as Adobe Creative Suite).
  • Knowledge of HTML and web design principles.
  • Experience with University of Montana policies and procedures, particularly in relation to online education.

About UM and UMOnline

 The University of Montana is flagship, research-intensive R1 institution with approximately 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students. It is located in Missoula, a culturally vibrant community of about 75,000, surrounded by mountains where three rivers converge. Abundant recreational opportunities in surrounding state and national forests and nearby Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park complement a thriving intellectual atmosphere.

UMOnline at the University of Montana promotes and supports excellence and innovation in online teaching and learning at the University of Montana by supporting the creation of quality online, blended and web-enhanced learning opportunities for students. Our high-quality programs and courses meet the needs of learners in the global century. Whether our students wish to earn a degree or certificate with UM's outstanding faculty and students, or just allow greater flexibility in scheduled options, many futures begin with UMOnline. 

In addition to serving our students and providing phenomenal online and distance education for all, UMOnline strives to support faculty and staff in a variety of ways including; course design, data and market research, marketing, accessibility tools and content testing, program launch support, Moodle LMS resources and support, regulatory compliance and more.

To learn more about the University of Montana, Missoula, and the State of Montana, please visit the links below.

·        University of Montana

o   Video: Mission First, People Always

o   UM on YouTube

·        City of Missoula

o   Video: There's This Place

o   Destination Missoula

o   Missoula Area Chamber of Commerce

·        The State of Montana

o   Visit Montana

Criminal Background Investigation is required prior to Offer of Employment.
In accordance with University policy, finalists for this position will be subject to criminal background investigations.
ADA/EOE/AA/Veteran's Preference.
Reasonable accommodations are provided in the hiring process for persons with disabilities. For example, this material is available in alternative format upon request. As an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, we encourage applications from minorities, veterans, and women. Qualified candidates may request veterans’ or disabilities preference in accordance with state law.
References *References not listed on the application materials may be contacted; notice may be provided to the applicant.
Testing Individual hiring departments at UM may elect to administer pre-employment tests, which are relevant to essential job functions.

Employment Eligibility.  All New Employees must be eligible and show employment eligibility verification by the first date of employment at UM, as legally required (e.g., Form I-9).

Must be eligible to work in the United State upon hire.


How to Apply

Priority Application Date: Thursday, April 18, 2024by 11:59 PM (Mountain Time)

Complete applications received by this date will be guaranteed consideration. To receive full consideration, candidates are required to submit all of the following materials.

Please submit the following application materials** via the UM Jobs portal and by clicking "New Resume/CV" button.  Please do not apply through Indeed.com*.

  • Letter of Interest – addressing the stated required skills for the position
  • Detailed resume listing education and describing work experience
  • Three (3) professional references - Names and contact information

*Applying through Indeed.com or easy apply through Indeed.com may result in submission of an incomplete application.  Applications may be removed from full consideration if they are not complete with materials listed above under the "How to Apply" section.  It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure complete application materials are submitted and received by the date listed above. 

**Please note: only five (5) attachments are allowed per application. Please combine documents accordingly.


Missoula, Montana, United States