Instructional Designer

Job Summary

The Instructional Designer will support the Office of Distance Learning’s mission to elevate distance education at Albany State University by collaborating with faculty and academic units to design and deliver high-quality online and blended courses. This role will focus on applying evidence-based instructional design practices, promoting the use of Open Educational Resources (OER), and ensuring compliance with accreditation standards, federal regulations, and institutional policies, including SACSCOC requirements, regular and substantive interaction (RSI) standards, ADA/WCAG accessibility, and quality design frameworks such as Quality Matters.

Working under the guidance of department leadership, the Instructional Designer will contribute to innovation in online learning, support faculty development, and help ensure that all courses and digital content meet standards of excellence and accessibility.

This is a Title III funded position and is contingent upon the availability of external funding. Employment in this role is for a limited term, and will be reviewed annually based on funding and needs.

Sponsorship is not available for this position.

• Collaborate with faculty to design, redesign, and deliver engaging online, hybrid, and technology-enhanced courses, ensuring regular and substantive interaction (RSI) is integrated into course design.
• Ensure alignment of courses with accreditation requirements (e.g. SACSCOC), federal regulations (ADA/WCAG), and quality assurance standards (e.g. Quality Matters), with attention to RSI compliance.
• Assist with the development and delivery of professional development sessions on online teaching, instructional design best practices, OER adoption, accessibility, and emerging technologies.
• Promote and support the integration of Open Educational Resources (OER) to improve course quality, accessibility, and affordability.
• Contribute to university-wide instructional design projects and initiatives under the direction of departmental leadership.
• Update and maintain compliance with WCAG requirements for digital content related to the Office of Distance Learning.
• Stay current with research, trends, and innovations in instructional design, online teaching and learning, OER, and educational technology.
• Collect and analyze feedback from faculty and students to inform improvements in instructional design practices.
• Assume additional responsibilities as needed to support departmental operations.

• Bachelor's degree in Instructional Design, Instructional Technology, Adult Education, or a related field.
• Minimum of 1-3 years of professional experience in instructional design or course development, with a focus on online learning environments.

• Master's degree in Instructional Design, Instructional Technology, Adult Education, or a related field.
• 3+ years of experience in instructional design and development for online or blended learning.
• Experience with accreditation review processes, quality assurance frameworks (e.g. Quality Matters), or OER integration.

• Solid understanding of instructional design theory, online and blended learning models, and adult learning principles.
• Awareness of accreditation standards, including SACSCOC requirements, regulatory compliance for online education, and regular and substantive interaction (RSI).
• Knowledge of ADA/WGAC accessibility standards and digital accessibility practices. 0
  
  Knowledge of Open Educational Resources (OER) adoption and integration into course design.
• Proficiency in learning management systems and instructional technologies.
• Familiarity with Quality Matters or similar quality assurance frameworks.

• Demonstrated ability to design and develop engaging, learning-centered online courses that incorporate RSI standards.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills for working with faculty, staff, and administrators.

• Ability to apply instructional design practices that enhance student learning and engagement.
• Ability to ensure online courses meet regular and substantive interaction (RSI) requirements.
• Ability to support faculty in adopting OER and ensuring accessibility compliance.
• Ability to contribute to strategic instructional design initiatives within the Office of Distance Learning.
• Ability to collect and apply feedback to improve design and deliver.

Albany State University is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The University is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful environment for living, working, and studying. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law, Board of Regents policy, and University policy, the University prohibits harassment of or discrimination against any person because of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment, pregnancy, and medical conditions related to pregnancy),…