Instructional Designer

Get Set for Cumberlands!

Join our team of student-focused individuals working together in order to encourage intellectual and spiritual growth, leadership and service.

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The Instructional Designer creates engaging, outcomes‑driven learning experiences that equip adult learners with the skills needed for sustainable employment across Appalachia. Working under the general supervision of the Institute’s CEO and in close partnership with subject‑matter experts, faculty, and community partners, the Instructional Designer leads full‑cycle course design (analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation). The role champions evidence‑based instructional strategies, ensures alignment with workforce competencies, and promotes inclusive, accessible, and technology‑enhanced learning. This position reports directly to the CEO of the Appalachian Institute for Workforce Development.

Duties and Responsibilities

Learning Experience Design & Development

• Conduct learner and task analyses to define instructional goals and measurable outcomes.
• Storyboard and develop online, hybrid, and instructor‑led courses using backward‑design and adult‑learning principles.
• Select, create, and integrate multimedia (video, simulations, interactive assessments) that reinforce key competencies.
• Digital Learning Asset Production
• Build SCORM‑compliant modules with Articulate 360, Rise, or comparable authoring tools.
• Design accessible job aids, infographics, and micro‑learning assets optimized for mobile devices.
• Maintain courses within the Institute’s learning‑management system, overseeing version control and quality assurance.
• Assessment & Evaluation
• Develop formative and summative assessments aligned to learning objectives and industry certifications.
• Analyze learner analytics and feedback to iterate on course design and demonstrate ROI to funders.

Collaboration & Capacity Building

• Facilitate design sprints and training sessions.
• Partner with grant teams to craft instructional narratives, logic models, and evidence of learning impact.
• Continuous Improvement & Research
• Monitor emerging trends in instructional technology, workforce‑development pedagogy, and inclusive design.
• Pilot innovative tools (e.g., AI‑driven adaptive learning, VR simulations) to enhance learner engagement.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required

Experience

• Minimum three (3) years in instructional design, content creation, learning experience design, or a related field.

Technical Skills

• Proficiency with authoring tools like Synthesia, Adobe Creative Suite, or Canva.
• Experience with learning‑management systems (D2L Brightspace, Blackboard, Moodle) and analyzing learning analytics dashboards.
• Working knowledge of accessibility standards (WCAG 2.1).

Core Competencies

• Exceptional written, visual, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong project‑management skills with the ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines in a dynamic environment.

Compensation: Salary

Benefits: Yes

Job Location: University of the Cumberlands – Appalachian Institute for Workforce Development (Williamsburg, KY) or Remote

Cumberlands is different by design. Our employees exemplify our motto in the pursuit of a

“life-more-abundant.”