Educational Specialist- Centra College- Full-Time

Educational Specialist

The Educational Specialist collaborates with Centra College administration, faculty, staff, and students to enhance teaching, learning, and student success through evidence-based instructional practices and effective use of academic resources. This role supports the design, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement of instruction across all academic programs, using program data and student outcomes to identify gaps, improve course quality, and strengthen engagement and performance.

In collaboration with the administrative team, the Educational Specialist manages the Learning Management System (LMS) and other instructional tools as they relate to course delivery and student learning. This includes assisting faculty and students with the effective use of these systems to support instructional goals and academic success.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with faculty to support the design, delivery, and continuous improvement of instruction across academic programs.
• Assist in the development and refinement of course materials to enhance student engagement, learning outcomes, and instructional quality.
• Use program data, student performance metrics, and feedback to identify learning gaps and recommend evidence-based improvements.
• Provide guidance and support to faculty and students in the effective use of the Learning Management System (LMS) and other instructional tools as they relate to coursework.
• Support the day-to-day functionality of instructional systems (e.g., LMS) to ensure a consistent and effective learning experience.
• Develop and deliver training and professional development focused on instructional best practices, course design, and student engagement strategies.
• Partner with faculty and academic leaders to implement initiatives that strengthen teaching effectiveness and student success.
• Evaluate and recommend instructional resources and tools that align with curricular goals and enhance the learning environment.
• Assist in maintaining quality standards for course design and delivery, including alignment with institutional and accreditation expectations.
• Serve as a liaison to the organization's IT department by escalating technical issues beyond the scope of instructional support while maintaining clear role boundaries.
• Provide responsive, student-centered support to address barriers impacting learning and course participation.
• Contribute to ongoing assessment and continuous improvement efforts related to teaching, learning, and student outcomes.
• Participates in assigned committees with at least 80% attendance.
• Attends required college functions.
• Meets all required education requirements.
• Positively contributes to achievement of the college's accreditation standards and criteria.
• Follows through on commitments and requests in a timely, effective manner.
• Shows respect and courtesy for the needs, work, and skills of others.
• Supports a strong team model by working towards solutions, involving others in resolutions, and celebrating successes.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in education, educational technology, instructional design, or related field.
• At least 3 years of experience in working with teaching and learning tools, instructional design, or related field.
• Knowledge of current learning theories and instructional design models.
• Experience with educational software and digital learning platforms.
• Strong computer skills and ability to learn new systems and teach new learning systems.
• Excellent communicational and training skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with a diverse group of educators, staff, and students.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in education, teaching and learning technologies, or similar field.

Travel Required:

Travel is expected to be between 0% and 3% of the time.

Work Environment:

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

The setting for this role will include office and classroom settings. Exposure to controlled temperature environments, both hot and cold, is to be expected.

Workplace Exposure:

The normal work routine involves no exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues. Persons who perform these duties are not called upon as part of their employment to perform or assist in emergency medical care or first aid or to be potentially exposed in some other way.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate with others. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, demonstrate hand and finger dexterity in the course of their work, handle or feel, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities.

The expected physical workload is expected to be:

Sedentary Work:
Exerting up to 10 pounds of force…