Learning Designer, Career Edge

At Unity Environmental University, we value different perspectives, champion innovation, and create an environment where both employees and learners can excel. We are committed to fostering a workplace where talent and dedication drive success.

JOB OVERVIEW

The Career Edge Learning Designer’s (LD’s) primary responsibility is to manage the development and maintenance of Unity Environmental University’s Career Edge To accomplish this, they will:

• Synthesize technical and pedagogical literacy and apply that expertise, in collaboration with subject matter experts (SMEs) and institutional administrators, to design engaging, experiential learning experiences;
• Iteratively improve upon student-learning experiences through the collection and analysis of student data, as well as feedback from course instructors and SMEs, to follow the evolving needs of the professional spheres for which the students are being prepared;
• Continuously evaluate the performance of the courses they design, and the efficacy of established Learning Design (LD) practices, using student performance data;
• Document emerging and refined processes to be used as foundational and guiding standards of practice (SOPs) for the Career Edge as it grows.

They will work in close collaboration with the Career Edge Creative Media Developer to produce targeted, STEM-focused curriculum designed to efficiently prepare students for technical careers. Finally, they will push the envelope of online learning with access to AI and XR developers, while ensuring the accessibility of the content and activities they build using universal design principles.

POSITION SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES AND EXPECTATIONS

• Work collaboratively with faculty and staff to design and develop high quality, innovative, engaging courses.
• Act as an expert resource for our learning management system(s) (LMS) and related tools.
• Apply the appropriate learning and instructional theories for excellent course designs and implementations.
• Develop media-rich, efficient learning experiences in collaboration with Creative Media Developers.
• Integrate current educational technologies to promote effective teaching strategies and to improve student learning experiences.
• Develop and lead trainings on online instructor and student support materials, including tutorials, orientations, help sessions, and workshops, as needed.
• Communicate knowledge and application of effective pedagogy and use of academic technologies.
• Facilitate and coordinate administrative aspects of course development, delivery, and support.
• Act as a consultant to Career Edge faculty and leadership on the process of LD in teaching, research, and creative works.
• Provide LD services, consultation and assistance to help plan, coordinate, support, evaluate and improve course, learning experience and program designs.
• Appraise learning content quality in terms of design, writing, and editing.
• Identify and provide corrective action when needed in alignment with best practices for adult online learning.
• Develop and manage course development and implementation schedules.
• Assist faculty and other subject matter experts in navigating learning environments, in coordination with Learning Technology Support Specialists and IT.
• Oversee all phases of the design process, aligning instructional content to learning outcomes, while creating instructionally sound and engaging learning opportunities, and developing quality assessment tools.
• Oversee design revisions and outcomes-based improvements of existing products.
• Provide pedagogical guidance to the development of badged learning activities.
• Remain current and maintain a thorough understanding of the latest industry technology tools and trends in online education.
• Work with Learning Technology Support Specialists and IT to develop new services and test new academic and learning technologies.
• Proactively communicate challenges, successes, and failures with leadership.
• Other duties as assigned.

UNITY ENVIRONMENTAL UNIVERSITY INSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBLITIES:

• Challenge the status quo to drive innovation and impact. At Unity, employees are expected to think creatively, disrupt conventional approaches, and contribute to creating new pathways for success.
• Operate with agility, resilience, and a relentless focus on outcomes. Change is constant, and employees are expected to embrace it by adapting, iterating, and continuously improving to stay ahead of industry shifts.
• Uphold the highest standards of ethical, professional, and accountable work. Every team member models integrity, transparency, and a commitment to results in all aspects of their role.
• Demonstrate a commitment to sustainability in all aspects of work. This includes responsible stewardship of resources, strategic decision-making, and ensuring long-term institutional impact.
• Foster bold thinking and take action to solve the world’s most pressing challenges. Employees contribute to transformative, scalable solutions that create meaningful change.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

To be successful in this position you must be able to execute each of the position specific responsibilities while meeting the position expectations.

Additionally, the position specific education, skills and competencies listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability needed. Reasonable accommodations may be made upon approval by the supervisor and Human Resources, to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

POSITION SPECIFIC EDUCATION, SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES:

Required:

• Bachelor's Degree.
• Strong research, content analysis, and content preparation skills.
• Experience in leading and managing multiple, complex projects, and the ability to schedule, prioritize and meet varied deadlines across these projects.
• Ability to work both independently and within a team.
• Demonstrated excellent oral and written communication skills with strong interpersonal and presentation skills, while working with diverse content and populations.
• Proven ability to stay current with rapidly changing technologies.
• Ability and willingness to work with students from diverse political/socioeconomic backgrounds and a wide range of physical and academic abilities.
• Personal commitment to the environmental focus and mission of the Institution.
• Ability to function effectively within a matrix organizational structure, maintaining open lines of communication while being discreet, courteous and well poised.

Preferred:

• Master’s degree in Instructional Design, Education, or equivalent field.
• One year of experience working in a full-time instructional design capacity, collaborating directly with faculty in online curriculum building and course development.
• Experience developing non-traditional learning experiences
• Experience with badging.
• Proven knowledge of instructional design strategies, along with the current techniques, tools, and procedures used in the design, development, and evaluation of technology-enhanced and online courses and programs.
• Experience with graphic design and AV elements appropriate for online instruction, especially using the Adobe Creative Cloud suite.
• Experience in online classroom teaching or workshop facilitation.
• Knowledge and understanding of Quality Matters, Online Learning Consortium and similar online learning rubrics.
• Familiarity with Universal Design and other accessibility principles to ensure course content is accessible to all learners.
• Proven ability to work effectively and communicate with subject matter experts, peers, users and media developers.
• Demonstrated competence in working with learning management systems, such as Canvas.
• Familiarity with HTML and CSS.

WORK SCHEDULE / AVAILABILITY REQUIREMENTS

Work hours are specific to the requirements of this position and can include days, evenings, and weekends. Working extended hours required as needed. Must be flexible and cooperative in fulfilling responsibilities and meeting the Institution’s needs. Although Unity Environmental University employees are generally scheduled to work at their specifically assigned locations, there are times when travel is necessary and employees are required from time to time to attend events, meetings or work temporary assignment at any Unity Environmental University location.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, it is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand or walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 lbs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The use of either hand for repetitive movements such as grasping, grasping and turning, and fine manipulation is required as is the ability to use the telephone for internal and external communications.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

Work is performed mostly in an office setting. The noise level in the work environment is normally moderate. Exposure to changes of temperature or humidity 1-33% of the time.