Educational Technology Department Lead Instructional Designer

Live on Alaska's beautiful Kenai Peninsula while playing an important role for the University of Alaska eLearning initiatives. KPC’s Lead Instructional Designer position manages the Educational Technology Department and supports faculty and staff in accessible course design and delivery for face-to-face, distance, and hybrid courses. KPC holds a reputation for high-quality distance and technology-enhanced courses, and innovative faculty instructors.

The incumbent will supervise staff; manage team budget; select and order equipment; develop and evaluate projects, courses, trainings; train and assist faculty and staff; make decisions in the day-to-day managing of all activity objectives.  This is a face-to-face position with a possible hybrid flex schedule considered.

This is a full-time, 12-month, exempt staff position and reports to the College Director. It is complete with both a competitive salary and full employee benefits package. New hires will be placed on the UA staff salary schedule, Grade 81, starting salary $64,209.60, but also based on education and experience. To ensure consideration, please apply prior to the review date: November 9, 2022, 11:55pm Alaska Standard Time.

SUMMARY: Kenai Peninsula College (KPC) is a campus of the University of Alaska Anchorage. The college has three locations and is comprised of:

-Kenai River Campus, Soldotna
-Kachemak Bay Campus, Homer
-Resurrection Bay Extension Site, Seward

This position will be located at the Kenai River Campus situated on 309 acres along the banks of the beautiful Kenai River, the ancestral homelands of the Dena'ina Athabascan, Ahtna Athabascan, Alutiiq/Sugpiaq and Eyak peoples. The area is known for its wildlife splendor, mountain viewscapes, world-class fishing and hunting, hiking, canoe trails and winter outdoor adventure. And yet, Anchorage, Alaska's largest city is just a 2.5-hour drive or 20-minute flight away.

KPC offers two-year Associates of Arts and Associates of Applied Science degrees, as well as courses leading to occupational certifications and UAA baccalaureate degrees, such as Psychology, Art and Anthropology. The college has 24 full-time faculty, 55+ staff, 15+ student employees, and 65+ part-time faculty each semester. KPC enrolls more than 1,800 students/semester.

We honor diverse experiences and perspectives - including differences in ideas, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, race, culture, nationality, age, disability, veteran and socioeconomic status-and strive to create welcoming and inclusive learning environments where all are treated with respect.

Duties:
   *Supervise ET staff and budget. *Effectively communicate eLearning technology needs and issues with administration, faculty, and staff. *Day-to-day managing of all ET projects and objectives. *Work with staff and vendors as needed.
   *Participate in department and campus meetings. Serve on university and campus committees as requested. *Attend professional development activities on-and off-site. *Participate in coordination with UA/UAA for issues related to course management and other eLearning, technology and accessibility related systems.
   *Direct and develop a program of comprehensive eLearning professional development materials in multiple modalities (online, direct support, and workshops) designed for individuals and groups of faculty or staff. *Oversee and conduct training and support for faculty in accessible course development, design, and delivery for high quality distance, hybrid, and traditional courses utilizing technology. *Lead Educational Technology Department providing comprehensive instructional design, education technology, and accessibility services to faculty and staff to enhance distance, hybrid, and traditional classroom learning and services to students. *Coordinate the activities of instructors, media specialists, and others who may contribute to the completion of an instructional design project. *Assist Director of Academic Affairs with eLearning and professional development planning and communication
 *Work with faculty to provide expert design and application of appropriate technologies and accessibility standards to class material production and organize the staff of the Educational Technology Department (ET) to do the same. *Work collaboratively with faculty to ensure that the current, and future distance education activities meet student and community needs. *Support faculty and staff in campus-based, distance and hybrid courses leading to student academic success through use of appropriate accessible educational technology. *Provide support to faculty and staff to revise or troubleshoot Blackboard Learn, Blackboard Collaborate, Zoom, Kaltura and other course technology issues. *Advise in the scheduling of the college’s internet-based offerings in consultation with the academic divisions and administrators, including confirming instructor training in online instruction methodology. *Provide expert support to faculty peer groups, including those related to Quality Matters and online adjunct peer review and serve as institutional representative for Quality Matters relaying local needs to the UAA Quality Matters Coordinator, and Online Adjunct Peer Review. *Serve as institutional representative for Quality Matters utilizing official certification to infuse QM into course design and facilitate QM workshops per rotation determined by the UA Statewide Quality Matters Coordinator. *Create and manage peer online teaching review processes for KPC faculty, including timeline and expectations. *Pilot and evaluate educational technologies and processes for use at KPC. *Travel between campuses and to off-site locations as needed.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES:

• Excellent verbal and written communications skills to communicate effectively with outside organizations, staff, and professional training group members. Advanced computer and software skills, ability to use video, audio and other types of equipment to present training. Ability to apply knowledge of instructional design and educational technologies to develop original training content and material, and to conduct classroom training workshops or seminars, particularly in distance delivery of college courses and applying technology to enhance student learning. Ability to keep current in topics of distance education, learning technology, and accessibility. Ability to gather information for course development, methods and techniques training; use of small group facilitation skills; and establish and maintain effective working relationships with others. Knowledge of methods and techniques for conducting needs assessment. Ability to apply knowledge of the operation of audiovisual and laboratory equipment, and of media and computer-aided trainings especially for distance e-Learning delivery. Ability to plan, organize, facilitate, and evaluate adult and/or student education trainings. Ability to train, supervise, mentor, and evaluate staff. Knowledge of Americans with Disability Act (ADA) and Section 508 compliance as it pertains to processes and policies within higher education.

TYPICAL EXPERIENCE:

• Five years of experience or an equivalent combination of training and experience. Three years experience developing/delivering distance education programs/services. Experience working with faculty or subject matter experts and establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with others. Experience facilitating small groups. Evidence of good organizational and project management skills.. Experience planning, organizing and evaluating adult and/or student education trainings and facilitation activities. Supervisory/budget experience.

Preferred:

• Three years college teaching/training experience. Two years supervisory/budget experience. Experience training, supervising, evaluating staff. Experience providing professional development opportunities in learning management systems and multimedia hosting environments. Documented ability to keep current in topics of distance education and learning technology. Experience with Quality Matters, or other national standards for course evaluation. Experience with planning, analyzing problems or identifying new services and opportunities for process improvement.

REQUIRED EDUCATION OR TRAINING:

Master's Degree in education technology, instructional design or a related field.
Documented professional development related to distance education, learning technology, and accessibility.
Current driver's license required. This position will require travel between KPC's three sites.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS:

Applications will be accepted until the position is closed. Please address all of the listed required and preferred education, knowledge, skills, abilities and experience.
Please submit your online application and electronically attach the following documents:

* Cover letter
* Resume
* Reference list (three professional references with current contact information, including job titles, phone numbers, email addresses)
* Unofficial Transcripts (Successful candidate will provide official transcripts when hired)

*To be eligible for this position, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction.  Applicants who now or may in the future require visa sponsorship to work in the United States are not eligible.

The University of Alaska (UA) is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing this application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact UA Human Resources by phone at 907-450-8200.

UA is an AA/EO employer and educational institution and prohibits illegal discrimination against any individual: www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination

The successful applicant is required to complete a background check. Any offer of employment is contingent on the background check.

Your application for employment with the University of Alaska is subject to public disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act.

If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact University of Alaska HR at 907-450-8200.