Instructional Systems Specialis

Job Summary:

SMU seeks an Instructional Systems Specialist to support, administer and champion the Canvas learning management system and other integrated instructional systems used by faculty and students. The Instructional Systems Specialist provides direct support, develops and delivers user training/documentation for campus instructional systems. The specialist works on the academic technology services team with other OIT project managers and unit leads and also supports other campus units, course content authors, and leadership to support strategic goals. The specialist successfully handles multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment, supporting activities that depend upon the performance of instructional systems. The specialist must sustain deep interest in digital learning systems and be able to work well with diverse faculty.  The specialist must contribute to a nimble team, always championing digital systems that improve student learning.

Essential Functions:

• Supports and expands the use of CANVAS at SMU by providing technical support and functional support to SMU's faculty and student users. Works with the vendor, other technical partners, and the appropriate campus units to ensure SMU's CANVAS implementation (and other integrations) meets SMU's user needs, integrates with other systems, and addresses strategic priorities.
• Develop and implement Canvas-based integrations and implement advanced features.  Stay current, master, adapt, and manage implementation of new and advanced software features within CANVAS and other related tools/systems that are integrated with CANVAS. Develop and implement strategies to utilize software capabilities to address SMU priorities and evolving faculty needs and student expectations.
• Troubleshoot and Resolve CANVAS issues:  Work with end users and technical staff to identify and promptly resolve complex CANVAS support issues through contact with vendors, technical resources, software fixes, workflows, training, or other means to ensure college operations and classes are not negatively impacted and are resolved in a timely manner.
• Facilitates the implementation of CANVAS courses.  Ensures in the appropriate process development for creating course accounts, student enrollments, management of separate SMU CANVAS instances, creates organizational courses, helps creates and maintains unique training courses, and helps stakeholders implement non-standard, novel CANVAS solutions when appropriate.
• Communication:  Works closely with supervisor to proactively examine procedures and suggest/implement ideas for change. Communicate and support the SMU Academic Technology Services field and other project teams. Schedules and coordinates implementation of applications for minimal disruption to ongoing courses. Submit issues, follow up with them, and communicate information to appropriate teams and communities as necessary.
• Serves as primary technology system administrator, champion and vendor contact for the utilization and administration of campus' curriculum assessment system (AEFIS).
• Attends and facilitates information sessions and presentations to publicize and educate faculty members and students about instructional technology services and LMS capabilities provided by SMU.  Schedules training sessions and tracks them in the LMS.  Delivers training modules about LMS and campus e-learning systems as required
• Provides direct assistance to OIT academic team members, OIT integration team leads, SMU libraries, and the Center for Teaching Excellence regarding learning management system utilization, problem resolution, testing, and optimization. Works directly with course developers and instructional designers to facilitate adoption of instructional technologies
• Providing escalation support to faculty, students and staff using the campus LMS Canvas and its integrated tools (Student Information Systems, TurnItin, Panopto, Zoom etc.)
• Provides usage statics and data analytics for Canvas and other eLearning tools and integrations as required by supervisor and other campus stakeholders.

  Qualifications   Education and Experience:

An Associate's degree is required; a Master's degree is preferred.

Preferably degree in Information Technology, Instructional Technology, Education and/or Information Systems.

A minimum of two (2) years of work experience is required. 

Candidate with one or more years of work experience providing user (faculty/student/staff) support for educational technologies and integrated systems is preferred.  
 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: A candidate with professional work experience providing user (faculty/student/staff) support for learning management systems and integrated learning tools (highest priority given to those with experience in Canvas Learning) is required. Candidate must demonstrate ability to work with users, create training materials, and facilitate workshops. Candidate must feel comfortable and demostrate ability to work in a fast-paced and customer service-oriented environment. Must also have the ability to communicate and collaborate with IT and end users such as faculty. Ability to work effectively with a team is required. Candidate with experience and knowledge of other instructional technologies such as Qualtrics and collaboration tools is required. Candidate with 1-2 years of experience supporting a learning management system is required. Candidate with 1-2 years of work experience supporting Zoom, Panopto, educational technology platforms and instructional design principles is preferred. Candidate with experience as an application administrator is a plus. Candidate must posses excellent written and oral communication, problem solving, and creative thinking skills. Attention to detail is a must.

Deadline to Apply: Open until filled.