Instructional Designer

Position Type:
Applicant/Current Openings
Date Posted:
2/9/2024
Location:
Educational Products and Services
Date Available:
As Soon As Possible
SUMMARY
The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) is a non-profit membership organization that serves the needs of tree care professionals, and promotes the profession of arboriculture around the world. ISA is known as the industry authority on research, education and professional development. Each role in the organization plays an important part in delivering excellent member benefits and customer service.
ISA strives to deliver best-in-class educational materials that support the tree care industry and promote the professional practice of arboriculture. The Instructional Designer (ID) works on the Educational Products and Services team and collaborates with eLearning vendors and volunteer subject matter experts (SMEs) to produce learning and training materials for ISA's members, customers, and credential holders. Through this collaboration, the ID will design, develop, and implement educational materials for online and classroom settings (self-paced and/or instructor-led,) following an instructional design process (ADDIE and/or agile). The ID will work with the vendors and volunteer SMEs to identify target demographics, relevant educational resources, and potential delivery mechanisms. In addition to working with SMEs, the ID will also create engaging eLearning opportunities using pre-existing content from other media, such as ISA-published books or ISA conference sessions.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Understands ISA's mission statement and adheres to organization core values.
• Works with EPS team and volunteer SMEs to develop products based on identified arboricultural educational needs.
• Applies tested instructional design theories, practices, and methods. This includes ADDIE as well as agile methodologies.
• Implements instructional design projects, from inception to completion, and maintains files and records.
• Assists in the development of instructional strategies, course materials, assessment techniques, appropriate integration of instructional technologies and best practices.
• Researches and makes recommendations on educational best practices, instructional resources, instructional technologies and multimedia hardware/software to support teaching and learning.
• Tracks and measures the learning effectiveness of each module and/or training program and improves as needed.
• As part of the design process, outlines the concept for a course or curriculum, defining needs for the course medium, content delivery, assessments, accompanying materials, and complementary learning approaches.
• Works with SMEs to define objectives for the course and/or curriculum.
• Participates in agile learning design meetings and activities to create prototypes and subsequent testing and improvement cycles.
• Assists in production, including graphics placement, animations, audio importing, and editing as needed
• Designs learning exercises and activities that enhance knowledge transfer and retention.
• Collaborates with multimedia development vendors and other appropriate vendors to draft screen layouts, graphics, and supporting material/media, including audio, video, simulations, games, etc.
• Collaborates with EPS Director and team to determine the criteria used to evaluate learners' performance and develops assessment instruments.
• Completes various training, project management, and administrative tasks as needed.
• Serves as LMS Administrator.
• Supports training needs for volunteers and other stakeholders as needed.
• Keeps up-to-date on learning tools, trends, and ideas.
• Maintains project documentation and course folders.

Supervisory Responsibilities
None
QUALIFICATIONS To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education and/or Experience

• Requires either:
  • An Associate's or Bachelor's degree (B.A. or B.S.) in instructional design, instructional technology, educational technology, or a related field of study, 2 years' experience in instructional design and development work, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Or: a Bachelor's degree in arboriculture, forestry, natural resource management, or a related discipline with demonstrated interest and experience in education, training, or instructional design.
• Demonstrated knowledge and application of adult education principles, policies, and practices.
• Demonstrated skills designing assessments and simulations.
• Demonstrated knowledge of learning theory, instructional strategies, curriculum standards, and assessments.
• Demonstrated interest or experience in trees, tree care, forestry, the green industry.

Language Skills

• Fluent in English, both verbal and written. Fluency in additional languages is a plus.
• Solid verbal communication and interpersonal skills and a service-oriented attitude are required.
• Must possess excellent English writing and communication skills (correct grammar/style and professional tone).
• Ability to write effective copy, instructional text, audio scripts/video scripts.
• Ability to actively attend to, convey, and understand the comments and questions of others, both written and spoken.

Decision Making/Reasoning Ability

• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of variables.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagrammatic form.
• Ability to draw conclusions from research and needs assessments.
• Apply current research and theory to the practice of instructional design.
• Ability to look beyond the standard solutions.
• Ability to think in terms of abstract ideas.

Additional Competencies

• Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to quickly learn and adapt to new technologies and software tools.
• High level of attention to detail.
• Self-motivation with an ability to work effectively within a team environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills in both customer and team interactions.
• Ability to comprehend complex technical topics and specialized information.

Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position 80% of the time.
• Moves about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
• Regularly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery such as calculator, copy machine, and computer printer.
• Frequently communicates with internal and external customers.
• This position requires occasional lifting, under 25 lbs.

Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Working conditions are normal for an office environment.
• Work may require occasional travel.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate.

Technology and Equipment

• Microsoft Windows 11 and Office 365; proficient in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.
• Visual design skills
• Experience using Articulate Storyline or other e-learning authoring or development software is preferred.
• General knowledge of HTML is a plus.
• Previous experience with LMS administration is a plus.