Instructional Designer

Description

Erikson Institute, a graduate school in child development located in downtown Chicago, is seeking to hire an Instructional Designer, this position involves designing and producing instructional materials and multimedia elements in support of fully online and blended degrees, certificate programs and professional development offerings delivered through a learning management platform or as a web-based solution. The Instructional Designer must have strong and dynamic design aesthetics and be able to duplicate and improve upon current examples in EriksonOnline, on the Erikson Institute website, and on program and project websites including the TEC Center. .

PRINCIPAL DUTIES:

A. Develop, refine, and disseminate design standards, style guides, reusable templates, tutorials, content management practices and best practices for the design of online courses and professional development modules and develop instructional media that are consistent with EriksonOnline, TEC Center and Erikson website design and style guidelines.

B. Conceive and develop ideas to optimize the user interface and learning experiences for self-paced modules and individual professional development programs as well as relationship- and community-based approaches with groups of professionals. Design elements and the user interface should enhance online teaching and learning, increase faculty/instructor/presenter presence and voice (where appropriate), and improve the quality and capacity for web-based delivery of professional development.

C. Select the most appropriate and effective methods, techniques and technologies for delivering online and blended professional development programs

D. Design and develop user interface elements, instructional media pieces, interactive activities and other digital assets that integrate successfully into the Blackboard Learn Learning Management System that EriksonOnline is built upon, and into stand alone web-based solutions.

E. Develop applications of new digital media technologies and methods for learning and instruction including mobile technologies, social media, group projects and online collaboration.

F. Collaborate with the Senior Instructional Designer and Digital Media Designer to create and update site and course specific materials, resources and activities in EriksonOnline and for each professional development program.

G. Assist in the development of an enterprise-wide content management solution, maintain a database of digital assets including how and when they were used that supports and enables multi-purposing content for EriksonOnline and website needs.

H. Identify equipment needs, develop procurement/replacement plans, manage equipment budget, manage storage and maintenance of equipment.

I. Stay current on emerging learning technologies, trends in distance learning in higher education, best practices for online professional development, and effective practices for teaching and learning online.

ABOUT ERIKSON
Founded in 1966, Erikson Institute is one of the nation's leading graduate schools in child development and early childhood education. It is a private, independent, NCA-accredited graduate school offering master's degrees, a Ph.D., graduate certificates, and professional development courses in child development and early childhood education. Erikson provides a variety of employee benefits, including excellent health and dental plans, life/disability insurance, transit stipend, matching retirement contributions, and more. To learn more, visit our Web site at www.erikson.edu.

Erikson Institute is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation including gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law. In addition, Erikson Institute provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans With Disabilities Act and applicable state and local laws (including during the application or hiring process).
 

Mandatory Job Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS:
A. Highly creative with a keen eye for design, color and effective use of media
B. A desire to create innovate online and web-based user interfaces, learning experiences and content for Erikson students and the public
C. Thorough knowledge of developing and delivering online professional development programs
D. Solid understanding of instructional design theories, methodologies and best practices, including interactive teaching methods
E. Familiar with traditional and innovative strategies for teaching and learning online in formal and informal settings
F. Enthusiasm for researching and experimenting with emerging online technologies and methods
G. Solid understanding of web standards, compression and best practices (W3C Web standards, WAI, ADA & Sections 508 and 504 compliance)
H. Solid understanding of copyright and fair use laws and ethical practices related to digital media
I. Experience with Content Management Systems and solutions
J. Ability to work successfully with a team or alone
K. Ability to manage projects from start to finish
L. Strong analytical, verbal, written and interpersonal communication, and customer-service skills
M. Very organized, attention to detail
N. Time management, prioritizing and project management skills
O. Effective problem solving strategies
 

HARDWARE & SOFTWARE COMPETENCIES:

A. PC and Mac computer and operating systems: advanced expertise
B. Digital audio/video equipment: advanced expertise
C. Blackboard Learn (Learning Management System) and digital media content management systems: advanced expertise
D. Cross browser compatibility: advanced expertise
E. HTML, XHTML, HTML5, CSS design and cross-platform compatibility, including Windows, Apple and mobile platforms: advanced expertise
F. Adobe Creative Suite, Photoshop, Flash, Captivate: advanced expertise
G. Final Cut Pro, Illustrator, InDesign, video compression, video conversion: advanced expertise
H. Authoring systems and website development packages including Word Press: advanced expertise
I. Microsoft Office: advanced expertise