Specialist, Instructional Designer

Location: Remote

The job duties and responsibilities of this role are unable to be performed in the following states, California, New York, and Washington at this time.

Hiring Range: This position’s hiring range is anticipated to be $58,606 - $65,000 annually, depending on experience.

Applicants who advance past the initial recruiter phone screen will be required to submit a work sample or portfolio.

Position Summary: Best Friends’ Learning Advancement Team is looking for the most amazing, caring, and AWESOME instructional designer. If that sounds like you, apply today! (And if not, feel free to share with a FRIEND!)

Instructional designers are the foundation of our programs and learning opportunities, including those offered in partnership with Southern Utah University, and play a central role in shaping high-quality educational experiences. This partnership with SUU is helping establish a recognized discipline in animal services, and the instructional design role significantly influences how learning opportunities are created and experienced by those working in, or aspiring to work in, the animal services field - all with the ultimate goal of saving the lives of pets in shelters. Sound exciting? If so, keep reading!

Our world is unique and constantly evolving. We work with shelters across the country to help them increase their lifesaving, and we’re searching for an instructional designer who can design and develop impactful learning experiences that empower people to save pets. Is this you?

Our perfect candidate is passionate about helping people help animals, energized by creative problem solving and always striving to make learning meaningful and student-centered. In return, you’ll join a supportive, fun team of colleagues who are ready to partner with you to create learning that drives real, lifesaving change for animals nationwide.

The Instructional Designer, Specialist position is a key role providing an advanced specialty in designing innovative learning materials. The Instructional Designer, Specialist will work closely with the Manager of Instructional Design, Instructional Design team members, and Learning Advancement leadership and staff to oversee instructional design projects and volunteers. This work supports the team's programs and priorities in advancing Best Friends' goal of a no-kill nation.

Culture Statement and Responsibility: We believe in treating everyone with kindness and compassion, building trust through authenticity and following through on commitments. We prioritize well-being alongside our mission, fostering strong relationships through open communication and transparent feedback. Diversity and inclusion are integral to our culture, enriching team dynamics by valuing diverse perspectives. Each team member is responsible for creating an inclusive environment where all voices are respected and contributing to a workplace that embodies our shared values and commitment to progress. By consistently aligning our actions with our Guiding Principles, we strengthen our culture and ensure that our values are lived every day.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Work closely with the Instructional Design team to design educationally-sound learning programs and drive the development of engaging, outcome-based learning which is the integral foundation of eLearning courses, certificates, and blended learning programs that align to both the learning advancement department strategy and current organizational strategy.
• Partner with the course development team in crafting clear, measurable learning objectives and authentic, real-world assessments that align with them.
• Collaborate with subject matter experts to capture course specific knowledge for the development and management of course content. 
• Design and develop engaging, high-quality learning materials and course content for eLearning courses, blended learning programs, microlearning, and other instructional formats
• Collaborate with the Instructional Design team to select appropriate instructional design principles, strategies, and formats relevant to the project and organization standards.
• Proactively apply cognitive learning theories and accessibility guidelines, while staying current on instructional design trends, to create student-centered, inclusive learning experiences across eLearning, LMS, in-person, and blended environments.
• Work with and coordinate contractor and volunteer projects to ensure the finished instructional design products are engaging, as well as educationally and professionally sound. 
• Maintain learning materials and resources to ensure consistency and support content management efforts.
• Engage in project management responsibilities for instructional design projects, from supporting key tasks to managing full project workflows as needed.

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Skills and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Instructional Design preferred; a degree in Education, Educational Technology, Curriculum and Instruction or; equivalent combinations of certificates, direct experience, and demonstrated skills will also be considered.
• Demonstrated ability to quickly grasp the nuances of an unfamiliar field and translate them into content that feels authentic to the audience required; experience in the animal services field is essential to ensure content is relevant to learners and reflects the actual conditions, challenges, and needs of the profession.
• Significant expertise in Articulate Rise, including building Rise custom blocks and navigating complex publishing and output processes is a core requirement; familiarity with building and troubleshooting HTML and JavaScript Rise code blocks, as well as proficiency in Articulate Storyline, is a plus.
• Proficient in Vyond or similar animation software, which includes innovative approaches to animation development that go beyond templated or default motion, props, or characters, is essential. Proficiency in Camtasia or similar video/audio editing tools is a plus.  
• Deep, current knowledge of instructional design technology, with a drive to continually explore and adopt emerging tools, including the ethical use of AI, to push innovation in course design and development is highly valued.
• Proven ability to apply adult learning theory and integrate principles of diversity and accessibility in the design of effective, student-centered learning experiences that align with instructional objectives and address the needs of adult learners required. 
• Experience collaborating effectively and professionally with subject matter experts (SMEs) to inform and enhance content for instructional design projects is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience designing creative, exploratory assessments—such as scenario-based tasks, simulations, or applied projects—that evaluate learners' ability to apply skills in real-world contexts.
• Sharp eye for tailoring stylistic elements and adapting or drafting transition content that matches the tone of the surrounding material, suited to both adult learners and the animal services field, striking the right balance so learning feels authentic and relevant to the audience is highly desired.
• Proficiency building and managing content within Canvas or other learning management systems (LMS) preferred.
• Demonstrated ability, or readiness to grow from foundational experience, in managing and supporting all phases of instructional design project management.
• Demonstrated experience applying quality assurance processes and content management best practices to ensure accuracy, consistency, and professional quality across instructional materials is required.
• Demonstrated ability to explore creative solutions and push beyond conventional approaches, while still upholding alignment with organizational style guides, visual design principles, and established standards is required.
• Demonstrated openness to coaching and mentorship, including the ability to apply feedback received and to offer feedback to others, with the shared goal of creating impactful, student-centered learning experiences is an asset.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, demonstrating strong organizational skills to manage multiple competing tasks and priorities while remaining flexible and able to shift direction quickly as needs evolve is required.  
• Demonstrated ability to work independently—researching, troubleshooting, and problem-solving without needing significant oversight—while adapting flexibly to setbacks or changing priorities until goals are met is required.

Physical Requirements:  

• Ability to work at a computer and/or on the phone for extended periods of time with repetitive typing and arm and hand motion. 
• Travel may be up to 10%. Ability to travel, including overnight stays, when needed.
• Daily hours and days of the week may vary according to the needs of the department schedule but will typically fall within normal business hours.