Instructional Designer

5462

The Learning Design Center is available for on-demand support and training on the portfolio of educational technologies available to faculty at USD. Faculty can also seek support from the LDC on course administration processes like Gradebook help system integrations and TA access requests.

The University of San Diego an engaged and contemporary Catholic institution was founded by the Diocese of San Diego and the Society of the Sacred Heart in 1949. Governed by an independent board of trustees since 1972 USD remains committed to a liberal arts education grounded in the Catholic intellectual tradition and the pursuit of truth goodness and beauty. Inspired by this centuries old tradition of Catholic higher education the University welcomes people of all faith traditions and any or no religious background. The future success of USD relies on the contributions of those who seek to foster the development of engaged global citizens and an earnest confrontation of humanitys urgent challenges.

This is a full-time temporary benefit-based position with an anticipated end date of December 31 appointment is renewable at the discretion of the University and dependent upon performance and continued funding.

The Instructional Designer (ID) is responsible for the design development implementation and maintenance of online courses for University of San Diego. The Instructional Design will consult and collaborate with faculty Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) and other key stakeholders (internal and external) to create high quality academically rigorous and engaging online courses across various disciplines. IDs will utilize expertise in Universal Design for Learning adult learning theory and online pedagogy to development curriculum for course and program level alignment with adherence to USDs standards of addition IDs will be responsible for conducting thorough reviews of academic courses and providing evidence-based recommendations in consultation with academic leads. IDs should demonstrate good judgment in selecting methods technologies and standards of practice for designing meaningful learning experiences (i.e. lectures interactions/activates assessments etc. Utilizes an iterative process in the program and course development cycle in collaboration with Instructional Technologist.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Leads curriculum and instructional design efforts for new programs and course revisions in collaboration with faculty and SMEs.

• Proactively consults with SMEs on program course and module level alignment providing best practices based on USD and industry standards.
• Effectively designs course layout learning activities and assessments and implements them in the learning management system.
• Creates design documents (e.g. course outlines storyboards design mock ups etc.) to guide the course development process.
• Ensures clarity organization accuracy style logical flow and quality of all course content.

Reviews curriculum based on review and analysis of student/faculty/internal/external feedback and quality assessment standards.

• Provides recommendations based on USD and industry quality assessment standards (e.g. Quality Matters)
• Authors original content and modifies existing materials in coordination with SMEs and other stakeholders.

Project management for program and course development.

• Monitors and prompts action to maintain the production schedule for all development projects. o Coordinates the collection of lecture text graphics and other learning materials with key stakeholders.
• Conducts team quality assurance reviews and projects.

Provides training or mentoring to online instructors.

• Advises faculty SMEs and other stakeholders on best practices in instructional design online pedagogy Backward Design adult learning theory UDL accessibility standards etc.

Other duties as assigned.

Certificates Licenses Registrations:

• Quality Matters certified (preferred)

Background check: Successful completion of a pre-employment background check.

Degree Verification Requirement: Persons offered employment in this position will be required to provide official education transcripts for degree verification purposes.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Masters Degree in educational technology instructional design or related area required. (Substitution: Bachelors degree with 2 additional years experience in Instructional Design; Instructional Design portfolio preferred)
• Three or more years of demonstrated work experience as an instructional designer in a higher education or related institution/environment required.
• Demonstrated experience in designing developing implementing and revising for credit online courses and course materials in a higher education environment.
• Demonstrated experience consulting on adult learning theory online pedagogy Universal Design for Learning and/or Backward Design.
• Demonstrated technology skills (LMS- Blackboard Synchronous learning tools Zoom/Bb Collaborate Rapid eLearning Tools- Adobe Creative Suite Articulate Storyline and graphical layout digital audio and video HTML coding and editing etc.) required.
• Strong command of academic-level writing. With experience editing and writing clear engaging and compelling content in a variety of styles appropriate to target audiences required.
• The ability to organize and manage multiple concurrent projects.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate and communicate effectively through various formats/modalities (e.g. email in person video conferencing etc.)

Performance Expectations- Knowledge Skills andAbilities:

• Thorough knowledge of and skill in delivering online educational programs
  • Knowledge of instructional design pedagogy (i.e. adult learning theory universal design for learning backwards design etc.)
  • Thorough knowledge of design best practices for multiple online modalities (synchronous/asynchronous online hybrid etc.)
• Thorough knowledge of current higher educational programs and online learning trends.
• Thorough analytical skills to conduct analysis and develop recommendations demonstrating organization and problem-solving skills.
• Thorough and effective verbal written and interpersonal communication skills and presentation skills.
  • Thorough knowledge of the fundamentals of writing grammar syntax style and punctuation.
  • Thorough knowledge of appropriate editorial style and publication guidelines. Thorough skills to write clear lively engaging and compelling copy in a variety of styles appropriate to target audiences and/or the broader public while ensuring adherence to the campus message.
• Thorough skills to conduct needs assessment and development of new presentations/courses to meet organizational needs.
• Skill in using business software systems in the completion of work assignments; i.e. Word Excel Access PowerPoint.
• Thorough attention to detail project management and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated technology skills (LMS Synchronous learning tools Rapid eLearning

$5858.67 - 6666.67 per month; Excellent Benefits

The University of San Diego offers a very competitive benefits package including; medical dental vision a retirement contribution given to you by the University and access to on-campus Fitness Centers. Please visit the benefits section of our website to view all of the perks and benefits that USD has to offer.USD: Human Resources: Benefits

The salary range provided in this posting reflects what we reasonably expect to pay for this position. Actual compensation offered or earned is dependent on experience education and other factors including departmental budget.

Click the Apply Now button to complete our online addition please upload a cover letter and resume to your application profile for the hiring managers review. If you have any questions or difficulties please contact the Employment Services Team at

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Closing date:February 10 2026

Note: External job postings will be up for at least three days. After that time applications will be reviewed by the hiring manager/committee throughout the posting period. A candidate may be selected at any time which could then close this posting on a date earlier than listed.

The University of San Diego is a smoking and tobacco-free campus. For more information visit Experience:

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