eLearning Instructional Designer

Location: Remote (US Home-Based Office)

Title: eLearning Instructional Designer

Reports to: Director of Online Learning 

Status: Full-time; Exempt

Start date: Immediate

Facing History and Ourselves is a global education non-profit organization that challenges teachers and students to use lessons of history to stand up to bigotry and hate. 

Position Description: Facing History and Ourselves is expanding its portfolio of online professional learning for middle and high school educators and is seeking an experienced eLearning Instructional Designer (ID) with a background in K–12 professional learning and a commitment to antiracist education to join the Online Learning team.

The ID will be responsible for developing innovative online learning offerings for educators including: facilitated, self-guided, and hybrid courses and workshops (delivered via LMS); scripted, animated video tutorials; model lesson videos; as well as quick-start guides and other downloadable companion instructional materials. The ID will collaborate with a cross-functional team of Facing History’s Program subject-matter experts, online learning team members, content writers, and visual media developers to craft user-centered instruction based on best practices of adult learning, universal design for learning, and antiracist education. The ID will lead the conceptualization of learning but will also be a writer and producer of content, collaborating with other IDs, producers, and visual designers to produce multimedia learning objects that can be used on their own or embedded within larger course offerings. The submission of work samples is required. 

Who you are: You are a lifelong learner—you bring this mindset and approach to the work that you do. You have a strong background developing competency-based and/or outcomes focused professional learning for educators. You are familiar with the middle school/high school classroom experience and teaching strategies needed for impact, and you understand the professional learning needs of educators in this environment. You are motivated by our mission statement, feel energized by working with a team, have a high attention to details, and are committed to antiracist education. Teammates and colleagues describe you as helpful, collaborative, and flexible. You bring exceptional writing skills, experience developing multimedia assets and learning objects, a deep understanding of adult learning theory, and a rich sense of instructional design. You have a good sense of humor and enjoy a collaborative, fun, and hard-working team. 

Who We Are: We are a passionate, curious, and innovative Online Learning team who partners closely with subject-matter experts and digital content creators across the organization. Our team develops and delivers a wide-range of professional learning offerings for educators in the United States and around the globe including facilitated online courses and self-paced workshops.

We are relentlessly committed to ensuring educators encounter professional learning experiences that are accessible, relevant, personalized, and impactful. We are flexible in our roles and have a team player approach. We are part of the Program Delivery and Content Development arm of the organization and use the principles of antiracist education, adult learning, and universal design as the foundation of our work. We bring passion, teamwork, a positive attitude, and a good sense of humor to our work.

Specific Responsibilities Include: 

• Bring pedagogy into practice by exploring new ways of modeling Facing History online.
• Develop and manage the implementation of project plans, taking responsibility for project scheduling, budgeting, resource allocation, and communication to ensure the delivery of a solution within scope, timeline, and budget.
• Work with SMEs or independently to assess learner needs and write outcomes-based courses, workshops, and other professional learning opportunities that align with best practices in antiracist education, universal design for learning principles, accessibility standards, and the Learning Forward Standards for Professional Learning.
• Define role-differentiated pathways for learning and map them out within and between courses.
• Design role-differentiated learning pathways and instructional frameworks for courses that can be mapped inside Facing History’s LMS.
• Re-conceptualize in-person professional development elements for online delivery as learning objects or experiences.
• Contribute to the administration and backend of Facing History’s LMS including appearance/theming and functionality.
• Write storyboards and scripts; produce tutorials using elearning authoring tools (Articulate, Captivate, Camtasia studio, etc.). 
• Work with graphic/media designers to bring story elements and concepts to life visually.
• Work with video producers to plan production and post-production of authentic classroom videos.
• Write project proposals outlining course descriptions and goals as well as project timelines for course development. Communicate status of projects. 
• Stay current on latest trends, technology and methods of online learning through research, networking, and attending/or presenting at conferences. 
• As a member of the Online Learning team, integrate the vision and strategy of online learning into larger organization goals. 

Essential Skills and Qualities:

Facing History understands that restrictive job requirements may exclude historically marginalized groups from applying to jobs for which they are qualified. We take an equitable and holistic screening approach. If you feel you have demonstrated experience and expertise relevant to perform this role, please don’t hesitate to apply!

• 5–7 years of experience conceptualizing and developing online learning for educators.
• BA/BS degree required. Advanced degree in instructional design preferred. 
• Experience developing courses that are delivered through an LMS).
• Experience with web development including knowledge of HTML and CSS.
• Experience designing and developing multimedia eLearning content including presentations, videos, screencasts, etc.
• Experience in storyboarding and script writing.
• Excellent writing and interpersonal skills.
• Current on latest research and trends in online learning and adult learning theory. 
• Exceptional organization skills and the ability to independently manage all stages of a project. 
• Flexible nature and experience in a fast-paced environment. 
• Ability to meet deadlines and communicate challenges. 
• Interest in, and ability to articulate the mission of Facing History and Ourselves.

Preferred Skills/Experience/Qualities:

• Expertise in online accessibility standard methodologies, guidelines, and regulations—such as WCAG 2.0 & 2.1 and the CVAA. 
• Experience with Articulate 360, Adobe Captivate, Camtasia Studio or equivalent elearning authoring tools. 
• Experience with Canvas LMS.
• Experience with developing competency-based professional learning opportunities and badging/micro-credentialing.
• Familiarity with Learning Forward’s Standards for Professional Learning.
• Experience with developing whole-school and district-wide online professional learning for teachers and administrators.
• Experience designing learning products optimized for mobile.
• Experience using formative and summative assessment for professional learning.
• Supervisory experience; will occasionally supervise external eLearning contributors, copy editors, and course facilitators. 
• A practical knowledge of information architecture, content strategy, and user interface (UI) design and user experience (UX) design is a plus.
• A team player, sense of humor, and glass-half-full attitude. Willing and eager to learn new things.

Benefits Summary: In addition to meaningful and rewarding work, Facing History provides an excellent and competitive compensation and benefits package including medical with a health reimbursement account, dental, vision, life & AD&D, long-term & short-term disability insurance, 403(b) retirement plan with a discretionary organizational contribution, generous paid time off, an employee assistance program, travel assistance plan, pre-tax commuter spending accounts, flexible spending accounts, voluntary Colonial Life group plans, robust wellness programs through Welnys TV, aHealthyMe & weekly virtual yoga and meditation, WellCents 403(b) advisement, and a friendly hybrid work environment.

Facing History values a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status and record of arrest or conviction, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We are an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

Facing History’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. At Facing History, we honor and value the uniqueness of each and every human being. Our strength as an organization that provides and distributes educational content and pedagogy to teachers across the globe is directly tied to our diversity of staff, leadership, educators, students, scholars, and volunteers. Our commitment is to treat individuals with dignity and to build and maintain a community of full participation, inclusive of the voices, needs, and contributions of all. As an organization, we are deeply aware of the legacies of injustices that persist in society and in the workplace, and we value and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in their association with excellence.

Hybrid Work Model: Facing History and Ourselves operates in a hybrid work model, allowing staff flexibility in both schedules and work locations. This particular position is home-based. Some travel may be required.  

Covid Protocol at Facing History: At Facing History and Ourselves, we require all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 including any boosters required to be “up-to-date” per current CDC guidelines. All new employees must provide proof of vaccination on their first day of employment. Requests for medical or religious exemptions should be directed to our Sr. Director, Human Resources.