Experienced Instructional Designer (elearning + vILT)

TorranceLearning is leading the design and development of a large curriculum of self-paced elearning (and some vILT) for a critical Federal agency initiative. We’re seeking multiple experienced, practical, and fast-moving Instructional Designers to join a cross-functional team of developers, visual designers, and learning technology specialists. 

This work follows our LLAMA® Agile approach and a structured iterative lifecycle. You’ll typically lead early-stage design for one new module per wave while supporting modules in later stages—so you’ll need to be comfortable juggling parallel work without dropping details. 

Note on tools: Development may occur in dominKnow Flow (primarily) or another modern authoring platform (e.g., Rise). You won’t be the developer in the tool, but you must understand the constraints and opportunities of responsive/mobile-first development so your design translates cleanly into build-ready specs. 

• Pay rate: $55–65/hour (1099)
• Weekly hours: ~15–35 hours depending on project phase and client response (hours are not guaranteed).
• Location: Remote; all work must be completed within the United States.
• Collaboration hours: This project runs on Eastern Time business hours and requires daytime availability for real-time collaboration.
• Travel is not required; any client-required travel would be paid.
• You must be able to secure Public Trust clearance prior to contract start.  

Work is delivered in waves using LLAMA® iterations: Skeleton → Alpha → Beta → Final. 

• Wave model: You’ll typically lead Skeleton + Alpha design for one new module per wave, while also supporting Beta/Final updates and reviews for prior modules.
• Client reviews: Formal review cycles occur at key phases; feedback may come from multiple reviewer groups. 

• Skeleton: A learning plan using Cathy Moore’s Action Mapping plus a 5 Moments of Need-style workflow map (what learners will do on the job).
• Alpha: A build-ready storyboard using our standardized Word (.docx) template.
• Beta/Final: Developer-led build with iterative client reviews; IDs remain engaged as the “voice of the learner” and supports final refinements. 

• Design clear learning objectives and outcomes tied to job performance.
• Partner with client SMEs to create module outlines and make sound instructional recommendations.
• Apply adult learning principles and TorranceLearning's Learning Science & Experience (LSX) framework to select the right treatment for each module.
• Design practical application activities (scenarios, role-plays, simulations, decision-making practice).
• Write high-quality scripts for elearning voiceover and on-screen narration.
• Write storyboards and scripts for video scenarios when needed. 

Using our standard storyboard template, produce build-ready specs that include:  

• On-screen text and voiceover script Interaction design and logic (including branching rules where applicable)
• Accessibility notes and requirements
• Media direction (what should be visualized, sourced, or created)
• Knowledge checks/assessments aligned to objectives 

• Design and develop virtual instructor-led training (vILT) content for Microsoft Teams, including slide decks; facilitator and participant guides.
• Coordinate with the team to ensure vILT materials align with the broader curriculum and reuse content appropriately. 

• Collaborate with developers on feasibility and interaction implementation; provide wireframes/interaction sketches when helpful.
• Partner with the Visual Design team; follow existing style guides and templates.
• QA your own and peers’ work; incorporate feedback quickly and thoughtfully.
• Support review cycles by clarifying intent, resolving feedback, and maintaining consistency across versions. 

• Design with Section 508/WCAG accessibility requirements in mind from the start.
• Document accessibility requirements in storyboards; write alt text with AI-assisted tools.
• Partner with QA and 508 specialist to resolve findings and reduce late cycle rework. 

• Maintain source and final content in shared repositories and follow naming/versioning standards.
• Attend recurring meetings as needed (planning/status) and communicate consistently with the Project Manager.
• Escalate content conflicts through the Learning & Content Lead; document decisions and rationale. 

Microsoft Teams, Slack (Collaboration); SharePoint (files and version control); spreadsheets and dominKnow review tool (reviews); elearning development platform: dominKnow Flow (primarily) or other modern authoring tools (e.g., Rise). 

• Experience designing for mobile-first/responsive learning constraints (content density, interaction feasibility, readability, accessibility).
• Familiarity with dominKnow Flow or other modern authoring tools (e.g. Rise); not as the primary developer, but you must understand tool capabilities and limitations.
• Experience working in an iterative/Agile instructional design environment (LLAMA® familiarity is a plus).
• Prior Federal L&D experience is helpful. 

• Strong performance-first design skills (practical, Action Mapping mindset).
• Ability to produce high-quality, templated storyboards quickly with low rework.
• Excellent writing and editing (clear, consistent voice; strong proofreading).
• Collaborative, responsive communicator who can work smoothly with SMEs and cross-functional teammates.
• Organized and reliable in a high-volume environment (file hygiene, version control, meeting follow-up). 

• On-time Skeleton and Alpha deliverables with high first-pass quality.
• Storyboards that developers can build with minimal clarification and rework.
• Clean objectives and assessments that match real job performance.
• Accessible-by-design solutions that reduce late-cycle 508 rework.
• Clear, calm collaboration across SMEs, reviewers, and internal partners. 

Candidates will be asked to provide a portfolio with examples of responsive modules, interaction complexity, and accessibility-minded builds.