Learning Designer

The University of Southern Maine (USM) is seeking a collaborative innovative and student-centered Learning Designerto join the Center for Academic Innovation (CAI). This position partners closely with faculty and academic departments to design engaging accessible and high-quality learning experiences across online blended and face-to-face instructional environments.

In addition to supporting course design and faculty development this position plays a key leadership role in advancing the Universitys digital accessibility initiatives and supporting institutional compliance with Title II digital accessibility requirements.

If you are passionate about instructional design educational technology faculty collaboration and creating inclusive learning environments we encourage you to apply.

About the Center for Academic Innovation

The Center for Academic Innovationpartners with faculty and academic units to enhance teaching excellence through innovative instructional design educational technologies faculty development and student-centered learning practices. The Center supports high-quality teaching across all instructional modalities while fostering creativity accessibility and continuous improvement.

What Youll Do:

Instructional Design & Faculty Partnership

• Collaborate with faculty and academic stakeholders to design develop and improve high-quality courses and academic programs.
• Consult with faculty on instructional strategies course redesign and innovative teaching practices.
• Apply instructional design best practices and quality standards to online and blended course development.
• Recommend improvements to existing courses to enhance student engagement learning outcomes and accessibility.
• Integrate research-based instructional practices and open educational resources into course design.
• Partner with University Libraries and other campus partners to support teaching excellence.

Digital Accessibility Leadership

• Lead faculty-facing efforts supporting the Universitys Title II digital accessibility compliance initiatives.
• Develop and deliver training and resources that promote accessible instructional materials and digital learning environments.
• Collaborate with campus partners to identify accessibility needs and implement effective solutions.
• Monitor progress toward institutional accessibility goals and communicate updates to the University community.
• Serve on University and University of Maine System accessibility committees and working groups.

Educational Technology Support

• Provide Tier II support for instructional technologies and learning management systems.
• Troubleshoot instructional technology issues and respond to faculty support requests.
• Develop documentation tutorials and training materials for educational technologies.
• Stay current with emerging trends in learning science instructional design and educational technology.

Faculty Development

• Design and facilitate workshops training sessions and professional development opportunities for faculty.
• Create instructional resources that support effective teaching across all course delivery formats.
• Partner with campus stakeholders to promote continuous faculty development and instructional excellence.

What Were Looking For

Successful candidates will demonstrate:

• Expertise in instructional design principles learning theory and course development.
• Knowledge of current educational technologies and online learning environments.
• Strong understanding of digital accessibility standards and best practices.
• Excellent communication collaboration and project management skills.
• Creative problem-solving abilities and a commitment to continuous improvement.
• Experience working collaboratively with faculty and diverse campus stakeholders

Pay and Benefits

This is an in-person full-time position based on our Portland Campus. This position offers an annual salary of $62000.00 along with a comprehensive benefits package including generous paid time off (13 holidays vacation and sick leave) health dental and vision insurance life and disability coverage tuition benefits for employees and eligible dependents and a 403(b) retirement plan with 10% employer contribution. See the Benefits Information Summaryfor details.

Work Schedule and Location

This is a hybrid full-time (40 hours/week) 12-month position. The position allows for up to 80% remote work with a minimum of one day per week in-person on our Portland campus.

About the University of Southern Maine

TheUniversity of Southern Maineis a vibrant academic community located in the greater Portland Maine area including campuses in Portland Gorham Lewiston and online. USM is part of the University of Maine System and offers a comprehensive array of undergraduate and graduate programs emphasizing hands-on learning community engagement and interdisciplinary collaboration. With a highly engaged student-centered learning environment USM is a steward of higher education helping drive the economic cultural and civic life in the communities where our campuses are located and is committed to providing expanded access to high-quality education that elevates economic opportunity and contributes significantly to the vitality of a diverse society. To learn more about USM visitAbout Our University.

The University of Southern Maine fosters a welcoming and supportive campus environment that respects and appreciates varied perspectives enhancing teaching learning personal growth and overall institutional achievement. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds who share our dedication to academic excellence and the enrichment of our community.

We are dedicated to our Service PromiseStudent Focused Every Dayand seek a team member who embraces this commitment and upholds our core values of Respect & Care Integrity Equity and Responsiveness.

Required Qualifications:

• Masters degree preferably in education instructional design learning science or a related field.
• Experience designing online and blended courses in a higher education context.
• Excellent written oral and interpersonal communications skills.
• Project management skills.

To applyclick on the Apply Now button below or visit ourUSM Careers Pageand submit the following:

• Cover letter
• Resume/Curriculum Vitae
• Finalist candidates will be asked to provide a list of names and contact information for three references.

For full consideration please submit all required materials bySeptember 14 2026.

We are not able to consider applicants who require Visa sponsorship support.

Appropriate background screening will be conducted for the successful candidate.

The University of Maine System (the System) is an equal opportunity institution committed to fostering a nondiscriminatory environment and complying with all applicable nondiscrimination laws. Consistent with State and Federal law the System does not discriminate on the basis of race color religion sex sexual orientation transgender status gender gender identity or expression ethnicity national origin citizenship status familial status ancestry age disability (physical or mental) genetic information pregnancy or veteran or military status in any aspect of its education programs and activities and employment. The System provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. If you believe you have experienced discrimination or harassment you are encouraged to contact the System Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Services at 5713 Chadbourne Hall Room 412 Orono ME 04469-5713 by calling 207.581.1226 or via TTY at 711 (Maine Relay System). For more information about Title IX or to file a complaint please contact theUMS Title IX Coordinator.

Clery Act:

The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act or Clery Act mandates that all Title IV institutions such as the University prepare publish and distribute an Annual Security Report (ASR) and provide notice of the availability of the ASR to all prospective employees. This report consists of two basic parts: disclosure of the Universitys crime statistics for the past three calendar years; and disclosures regarding the Universitys current campus security policies.View the Universitys Annual Security Report (PDF). If you wish to have a paper copy of the ASR or need to have a copy of the ASR in an accessible format the University willprovide such a copy upon request. Please contact our Public Safety Office at 207.780.5211.