Associate Instructional Designer

If you’re passionate about building a better future for individuals, communities, and our country—and you’re committed to working hard to play your part in building that future—consider WGU as the next step in your career.

Driven by a mission to expand access to higher education through online, competency-based degree programs, WGU is also committed to being a great place to work for a diverse workforce of student-focused professionals. The university has pioneered a new way to learn in the 21st century, one that has received praise from academic, industry, government, and media leaders. Whatever your role, working for WGU gives you a part to play in helping students graduate, creating a better tomorrow for themselves and their families.

Job Description

Job Profile Summary:

In conjunction with instructional designers (IDs) and senior IDs, the associate ID assists in the course development process and evaluation of curricular materials (e.g., courses, technologies, modules) based on quality rubrics, providing input on the instructional effectiveness of learning resources. With input from IDs and senior IDs, the associate ID researches and incorporates proven learning strategies and quality practices into the curriculum of each degree program. In addition, the associate ID collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to develop course competencies and objectives. This individual is responsible for assisting in several simultaneous projects, assessing risk, reporting progress, and communicating effectively with stakeholders to promote collaboration and accountability.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Partners with instructional designers to manage the course development process for new courses.
• Ensures that academic and quality standards and WGU’s vision and mission reflect all aspects of the student experience.
• Assists in developing contextually rich, engaging, and objective-driven courses that focus on applicable real-world/workplace skills.
• Assists in applying evidence-based curriculum development strategies to the design of degree programs.
• Identifies and maps learning resources to course or program objectives and competencies in collaboration with university partners.
• Collaborates with IDs and senior IDs to help develop and revise curricular materials, including competency statements, learning objectives, and other relevant documentation.
• Reviews learning resources and assessments to ensure proper alignment to the intended objectives and facilitate the agreement for necessary changes.
• Ensures course development is completed on time and within budget and meets standards of quality.
• This individual conducts quality assurance reviews on courses and implements revisions.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skill and Abilities:

• Understanding of curriculum development, instructional design, and test development.
• Knowledge of project management, needs assessment, and risk management.
• Strong technical writing and editing skills are required.
• Ability to be collaborative while managing multiple projects.
• Ability to work independently and with minimal supervision.
• Critical thinking, analysis, and synthesis skills.
• Planning, organizing, and self-management skills.
• This individual will facilitate collaboration, support, and obtain approval from a variety of stakeholders.

Competencies:

Organizational Impact:

• Works to achieve operational targets within job areas that impact on the overall achievement of results for the job area.
• Work is limited in scope and typically task-related or less complex. Work is closely supervised.

Problem Solving & Decision Making:

• Responsible for employing minor changes in systems and processes to solve problems.
• Identifies, defines, and addresses problems that are not immediately evident but typically not complex. Issues generally are within the immediate job area and solved through prior experiences or standard procedures.

Communication & Influence:

• Collaborates with contacts typically within the job area to obtain information or provide explanations and interpretation.

Job Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in instructional design, educational technology, or comparable degree.
• Some experience in instructional design and online learning technologies and pedagogies.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.

The salary range for this position takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs.

At WGU, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their position, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is:

Pay Range: $56,600.00 – $84,900.00

How to apply: apply online

Full-time Regular Positions (FT classification, standard working hours = 40)

This is a full-time, regular position that is eligible for bonuses; medical, dental, vision, telehealth and mental healthcare; health savings account and flexible spending account; basic and voluntary life insurance; disability coverage; accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity supplemental coverages; legal and identity theft coverage; retirement savings plan; wellbeing program; discounted WGU tuition; and flexible paid time off for rest and relaxation with no need for accrual, flexible paid sick time with no need for accrual, 11 paid holidays, and other paid leaves, including up to 12 weeks of parental leave.

The University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

About Organization

We are driven by a mission to expand access to higher education through online, competency-based degree programs. Since its establishment in 1997, WGU has grown into a national university, serving more than 120,000 students from all 50 states.

The university continues to open doors for adult learners who need flexibility to achieve their education and career goals. WGU’s innovative competency-based academic approach makes it possible, allowing individuals to fit their education into their lives, not the other way around.

WGU was founded by the governors of 19 U.S. states. WGU is also supported by over 20 major corporations and foundations who believe in WGU’s commitment to producing highly competent graduates.