Instructional Designer

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Job Title: Instructional Designer

Department: Open Studies

FLSA Status: Exempt

Reports to (Position Title): Executive Director, Programs and Assessment

Work Schedule: M-F, 35 hour work week

Hybrid Work Arrangement Eligibility: yes

Range: $54,900 - $68,600

Job Code & Description:

Summary of Essential Functions

The Instructional Designer, in coordination with the Executive Director, Academic Programs & Assessment, adjunct faculty, and course developers, works to provide a seamless online student experience for online programming offered through Open Studies. Essential functions of this position include the production of online courses with provided instructional content, creating basic instructional media, managing the content development of courses, verifying completed courses meet quality standards, researching and implementing new technologies, and assisting in creating professional development material for faculty using the online learning environment.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Open Studies serves a diverse student body of traditional and non-traditional college students, art and design professionals, adult learners, teens, and children. The unit has an expanding online program portfolio and administers four unique professional graduate programs: Business for Creatives, Data Analytics and Visualization, UX Design, and Design Leadership, with more to come. There are also studio-based art and design classes for adults, teens, and children, as well as other programs that serve a broad regional audience. As MICA's educational venture space, the unit innovates with academic programming (including digital education, new curricular areas and program structures, and programs for non-traditional students) and revenue growth. The (role)’s duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Provide instructional design production for new and revised programs, including a range of for-credit and non-credit asynchronous and synchronous courses.

Assist in the development of training plans and blended learning implementation strategies

Implement asynchronous, hybrid, and online course delivery models and assist in developing new variations of asynchronous learning experiences

Assist to systematically monitor and evaluate the content, structure, and execution of online courses according to instructional design standards and provide recommendations for improvements with regard to interface design, sequencing of instruction, use of assessments, faculty performance, and online interactive activities.

Assist in creating and implementing synchronous and asynchronous professional development in support of ongoing training for faculty and staff on topics including Canvas, distance education, instructional design, educational technologies, and other related topics.

Create print and web-ready technical procedural manuals and documents in support of faculty and student success.

Develop basic instructional media for use in online and web-enhanced courses and websites, including interactive modules video, audio podcasts, and graphics.

Collaborate with the team to ensure the timely creation and maintenance of course setup in the institution’s learning management system (LMS), Canvas.

Work in an advisory capacity with faculty course authors to enhance their knowledge of learning technology tools and platforms, effective use of online learning strategies, web-based resources, multimedia technologies, and instructional software and systems to improve online and face-to-face delivery.

Maintain a broad knowledge of the curriculum across departments, LMS software, and e-learning tools to help faculty identify areas best suited for educational technology.

Research, preview, evaluate, recommend, and implement necessary e-learning tools, services and assistive technology that are effective for online instruction and delivery and align with student learning and college policies.

Monitor the proper setup of online courses and work with instructors to ensure they are ready for the first day of class.

Assist in the technical onboarding of faculty, staff, and students.

Identify and communicate opportunities for process and quality improvements, providing feedback on usage, defects, and suggested enhancements to the learning environment.

Manage project timelines and coordinate with team members and partners to meet project deliverables related to course delivery in the online environment

Maintain a proactive relationship with MICA’s help desk to address issues.

Work to continually improve the accessibility of Canvas courses.

In collaboration with the Office of Disability Services, provide consultation and expertise on 508 and Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 (WCAG 2.0) compliance to department staff, partners, contractors, and the college as needed

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Proven working experience in instructional design and instructional technology

Excellent knowledge of learning theories and instructional design models

Lesson and curriculum planning skills

Basic HTML programming knowledge

Solid knowledge of course development software and at least one Learning Management System

Visual communication and design skills (Canva, H5P, Indesign, Photoshop, Illustrator) and ability to storyboard

Ability to write effective copy, instructional text, audio scripts/video scripts

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: Masters in Instructional Technology, Learning Design, Education Technology, or related field plus proven/relevant experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience in higher education or working directly with faculty to design online or hybrid courses

Expertise with Quality Matters (QM) or other course quality standards application

Experience integrating multimedia (e.g., video, audio, interactive media) into instructional content

Knowledge of HTML/CSS, SCORM/xAPI, or basic coding for eLearning

Background in assessment design, learning analytics, or data-informed instructional design

Experience supporting diverse learners and incorporating inclusive teaching practices

Familiarity with project management methodologies or tools (e.g., Trello, Asana, Smartsheet)

Certification in Instructional Design, Online Teaching, or related fields (e.g., ATD, IDOL Academy, QM Reviewer)

Reporting to this position:

No direct reports

About Open Studies:

Open Studies serves a broad student body of traditional and non-traditional college students, art and design professionals, lifelong learners, teens, and children. The unit administers studio-based art and design classes for adults, teens, and children, and pipeline and bridging programs in support of the college’s diversity and internationalization goals as well as a range of online graduate degrees. As MICA’s educational venture space the unit is engaged in innovating academic programming (including digital education, new curricular areas and program structures, and programs for non-traditional students) and revenue growth.

About MICA:

Acknowledged nationally as a premier leader in art and design education, the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) is deliberately cultivating a new generation of artists — one that is capable of seamlessly integrating innovation, entrepreneurship and creative citizenship with contemporary approaches to art, design and media. MICA is redefining the role of the artists and designers as creative, solutions-oriented makers and thinkers who will drive social, cultural, and economic advancement for our future. As the oldest continuously degree-granting college of art and design in the nation, MICA is located in Baltimore, deeply connected to the community. It is a leading contributor to the creative economy regionally and a top producer of nationally and internationally recognized professional artists and designers. Visit the College’s website at

Benefits:

Excellent health benefits package

Generous annuity match

Plentiful number of paid vacation and personal days, in addition to campus holidays

Possibility for flexible scheduling

Commuter benefits and employee parking

Nearly-free access to members-only college fitness center

Professional development opportunities on a variety of topics including finance, digital technologies, project management, and academic leadership

Opportunities to meet and connect with professional and aspiring artists, designers, curators, and interdisciplinary creators and educators – from the Baltimore community and beyond

A campus environment filled with ever-changing contemporary art

Application Instructions:

The College will review applications as received, and the position will remain open until filled. For preferred consideration, upload application materials (including a cover letter, resume, and PDF of 5 screenshots of instructional design work completed captioned with your role in the design) by May 14th. Applications must be submitted via the MICA website, where applicants will be directed to Workday for submission. All inquiries, nominations and applications will be held in the strictest confidence.

Conditions of Employment:

Conditions: Satisfactory Background Check

Unusual circumstances related to position:

Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends when educational events necessitate

Eligible for MICA’s Hybrid Work Arrangement Policy after preliminary probationary period

Physical demands and work environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands: While performing the duties of job, the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; balance; stoop; talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift up to 15 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work environment: While performing the duties of the job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environment is usually minimal to moderate.

Required training: Handbook orientation, Anti-Harassment, Hazard Communication, Emergency Plans & Fire Prevention, Personal Protection Equipment.

MICA’s Hybrid Work Arrangement Policy

Maryland Institute College of Art is committed to its policy of providing equal opportunity regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, or veteran status (disabled, Vietnam-era, or otherwise). Furthermore, the College does not tolerate any form of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment or sexual violence. This policy applies to all programs, facilities, and activities provided by Maryland Institute College of Art, including but not limited to admission, educational programs, and employment.

Applicants must apply online for each job in which they are interested. You will not be considered for any job for which you have not specifically applied. We do not accept applications via email, U.S. mail, or fax. Successful candidates for any staff or faculty positions will be subject to a pre-employment background check.

MICA provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact Human Resources at .

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