Reports To: Instructional Design Manager (R&D)
Department/Team: Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute (MVLRI)
Supervisory Responsibilities: None
FLSA Status: Exempt
Location: Lansing, MI office with Hybrid Work Schedule
Starting Salary Range: $63,000 - $70,500 (based on experience and relevant qualifications)
Are you curious, creative, and excited by the possibilities of AI in education? Do you enjoy turning great ideas into engaging learning experiences? Michigan Virtual is looking for an Instructional Designer (R&D) to help develop innovative solutions that support learners and educators across Michigan.
POSITION SUMMARY:
The role of the Instructional Designer (R&D) is to design and create engaging and effective learning experiences in support of research and development (R&D) projects at Michigan Virtual. The R&D team at Michigan Virtual is committed to testing and evaluating a variety of learning theories, tools and technologies and incorporating them into new instructional products . Design and development is accomplished through a collaborative process, with teams comprised of internal and external experts. The instructional designer uses traditional online learning development tools such as CourseArc, Camtasia, and Storyline as well as the latest AI tools, new technologies, and platforms to produce and deploy online learning experiences. This position provides consultation, training, and support to team members and external clients in the learning design process. The instructional designer also provides input about overall content creation strategy on an on-going basis, in a manner that promotes sound instructional design principles.
About Michigan Virtual:
Michigan Virtual is a Lansing-based nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to advancing education through research, innovation, policy, and digital learning solutions.
Our mission is to maximize learning and teaching by bringing together the best in people and technology.
Our vision is to be Michigan's leader in innovation in education.
We serve over 300 full- and part-time employees who are passionate about making a difference for students, educators, and families across Michigan.
Our Culture:
- We believe in a culture of caring. At Michigan Virtual, every team member is welcomed, heard, and valued.
- Our monthly Culture Committee creates opportunities for connection, reviews staff feedback, and champions a positive workplace.
- We emphasize professional growth and continuous learning for all of our employees.
- Our highly collaborative workplace fosters opportunities to use your unique skills, abilities and perspectives in service of our partners and constituents.
Strategic Focus:
Our strategic plan guides us through 2030 as we help shape a more flexible and equitable K–12 education system in Michigan.
To learn more, visit: https://michiganvirtual.org/about/strategic-plan/
Work That Makes a Difference. Culture That Makes It Possible.
What to expect after you apply: Apply now and help us build the future of education in Michigan! A member of our Human Resources team will review applications materials throughout the posting. Yes, all submissions are reviewed by a real person! If you are selected to move forward in the process, we will reach out with details. If you are not moved forward, we will let you know that, as well. We will start this process after the posting closes in late June. We are planning for a start date in late July.
As a non-profit organization that received funding from the State of Michigan, we give preference to residents of Michigan in hiring decisions.
- Design and develop instructional content, assessments, and courses for use in online, hybrid and face to face learning environments.
- Collaborate with internal staff and external consultants through the course development process in a manner that promotes sound instructional design principles.
- Provide consultation and support to internal and external stakeholders on issues related to the design and functionality of existing and new learning experiences.
- Leverage AI tools to efficiently design and develop instructional content.
- Leverage AI tools, where appropriate, to enhance efficiency and creativity in daily workflows, while exercising professional judgment to ensure accuracy, ethics, and data privacy.
- Meet appropriate timelines for self and external team members in order to meet project deadlines.
- Provide maintenance support on R&D products
- Use multimedia and instructional technology tools to create educational content.
- Explain instructional design theories, practices, and methods used in learning design.
- Ensure content is aligned to any applicable state, national, or other appropriate education or training standards.
- Apply eternal quality and accessibilitiy standards (e.g., Quality Matters, WCAG, Style Guide Criteria) in the development and evaluation of internally and externally developed learning experiences.
- Apply feedback to assigned projects.
- Conduct learner feedback reviews and participate in debrief meetings to help brainstorm with the project team and suggest solutions to feedback.
- Create and gather documentation (e.g. design documents, course descriptions and course syllabus) and ensure it is located in the correct location.
- Consult and collaborate with team members and contribute to the continuous improvement of current design practices through formal and informal professional development.
- Other duties as assigned.
OTHER DUTIES & TASKS:
- Attend regular all-staff and departmental meetings either in person or remotely.
- Attend company-wide functions as requested.
- Engage in professional learning opportunities per organization or supervisor’s request.
REQUIRED EDUCATION, CERTIFICATIONS, & LICENSURES (minimum requirements):
- Bachelor’s Degree with 9 credits in university coursework addressing instructional design or educational technology OR Bachelor’s Degree with a certificate in instructional design or educational technology; and/or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Strongly prefer a Master’s degree in instructional design, educational technology, or another related field.
REQUIRED EXPERIENCE – SPECIALIST I (minimum requirements):
- 0 - 3 years of experience as an instructional designer.
- 0 - 3 years of experience with developing online courses.
- Experience with a major CMS or LMS (prefer knowledge of Brightspace).
- Experience with multimedia and content development applications such as Storyline, Adobe CS2-6 Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, Dreamweaver), Camtasia, Audacity, H5P, and CourseArc.
- Experience with some or all of the following: HTML and CSS browser compatibility issues, educational game design, web accessibility issues, and web content management tools.
REQUIRED EXPERIENCE – SPECIALIST II (minimum requirements):
- 2 - 5 years of experience as an instructional designer.
- 2 - 5 years of experience with developing online courses.
- Experience with a major CMS or LMS (prefer knowledge of Brightspace).
- Experience with multimedia and content development applications such as Storyline, Adobe CS2-6 Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, Dreamweaver), Camtasia, Audacity, H5P and Course Arc.
- Experience with some or all of the following: HTML and CSS browser compatibility issues, educational game design, web accessibility issues, and web content management tools.
DESIRED EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:
- Experience with developing online and/or blended K-12 courses.
- Experience as an online and/or classroom teacher.
- Experience with SCORM-compliant or xAPI content development.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES (minimum requirements):
- Demonstrated ability to explain knowledge of instructional design and learning principles.
- Demonstrated knowledge of assessment methodology and experience with online assessment.
- Demonstrated attention to detail; assuring everything is done and correctly.
- Demonstrated writing skill in creating design specifications, course content, and project proposals.
- Demonstrated interpersonal skills and ability to work well with a remote team.
- Demonstrated ability to manage a complex workload and aggressive schedules, to prioritize and meet deadlines for multiple projects.
- Demonstrated ability to use learning management systems (prefer knowledge of Brightspace) for course creation.
- Demonstrated ability to use course creation and editing applications such as CourseArc, Storyline, and Camtasia when creating online instruction.
- Demonstrated ability to use Microsoft Office or Google Workspace applications.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively across cultural boundaries and work harmoniously with diverse groups of stakeholders, students, teachers, and staff.
- Demonstrated knowledge of current WCAG standards and designing accessible user experiences.
- Demonstrated working knowledge of artificial intelligence (AI) tools and applications relevant to the role, with the ability to use AI appropriately to support productivity, create new value, strengthen human connections, and improve work processes.
- Demonstrated commitment to contribute to a safe work environment.
- Ability to work a standard forty-hour week.
DESIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES:
- Demonstrated ability to motivate others to meet ambitious goals.
- Demonstrated knowledge of and ability to ensure content is aligned objectives to state, national, or other educational or training standards (e.g., Michigan Science Standards, CCSS, and College Board).
- Demonstrated knowledge of and ability to ensure courses that follow industry standards, such as Quality Matters or National Standards of Quality, to assess quality online course design.
- Demonstrated experience with some or all of the following: HTML, HTML5, CSS, browser compatibility issues, web accessibility issues, and content management tools.
- Demonstrated ability to work and execute job responsibilities remotely.
WORK ENVIRONMENT and/or PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The work environment characteristics and physical demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job.
- This role primarily involves working at a computer, participating in virtual and in-person meetings, and communicating with team members and partners.
- The position may require occasional travel to events or partner locations.
- Employees may need to remain in a stationary position for extended periods and use standard office equipment.
- Noise levels are generally low to moderate.
Michigan Virtual is committed to creating an inclusive and accessible workplace. We welcome applicants of all abilities. We will provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities in the application process and on the job. If you need reasonable accommodation at any point in the application or interview process, please contact us to discuss your needs.
