Instructional Designer 2

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INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

UC Santa Cruz jobs are posted until filled. All application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring team for consideration. NOTE: Applicants who miss the IRD are still encouraged to apply; their materials will still be forwarded for consideration if requested by the hiring team. Application materials cannot be accepted outside of the jobs portal. Applications cannot be edited on an applicant's behalf. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, view this link.

The IRD for this job is: 09-30-2025

ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

Scout, from the University of California, delivers high-quality online courses that expand college access and academic success for middle and high school students. We offer A-G approved college preparatory and College Board-approved Advanced Placement (AP) courses online and curricula for students, teachers, schools and districts, especially those serving California's educationally underserved communities.

UC Scout is part of the UC Santa Cruz Silicon Valley Extension and the University of California system. Our fully remote team includes more than 50 full-time and approximately 60 part-time staff, with an annual in-person gathering in California.

Learn more about our courses and services at www.ucscout.org

JOB SUMMARY

This position works under the supervision of the Instructional Design Supervisor and in collaboration with the Academic team and the Instructional Design team. The Instructional Designer manages timelines and deliverables for a diversified portfolio of asynchronous and hybrid online-courses using established tools and workflows, tracking progress, anticipating potential obstacles, and communicating proactively to ensure timely delivery.

The work requires the incumbent to apply a strong working knowledge of Canvas, ADA accessibility standards, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), HTML, visual and media design principles, and educational technologies to create, test, and publish engaging, well-structured, navigable, and compliant course materials.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $31.47 - $43.30/hour. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.
Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits

Schedule Information:

• Full-time, Fixed
• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week: Mon-Fri
• Shift Includes: Day

Employee Classification: Career appointment

Job End Date: None

Work Location: Remote

Union Representation: Non-Represented

Job Code Classification: 006149 (INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGNER 2) - Grade 20

Travel: Never or Rarely

JOB DUTIES

45% - Instructional Design and Online Course Development

• Designs, develops, and maintains asynchronous and hybrid online high school courses by applying sound instructional design principles.
• Aligns learning objectives, assessments, content, and activities to support defined academic goals.
• Selects and applies appropriate educational technologies to create engaging, standards-aligned learning experiences.

20% - Collaboration and Project Management

• Collaborates with the instructional design team, senior instructional designers, subject matter experts, and cross-functional partners to determine effective delivery methods, promote learner engagement, and ensure alignment with established procedures and timelines.
• Manages assigned course development deliverables using defined tools and workflows, tracking progress, addressing obstacles, and communicating proactively to ensure timely and high-quality outcomes.
• Participates in project planning and content review meetings and efforts.

15% - LMS and Educational Technology Deployment and Quality Assurance

• Tests instructional content and tools to ensure compliance with ADA/WCAG accessibility standards.
• Deploys, monitors, and troubleshoots course materials built into, embedded within, or linked through Canvas, as well as integrated e-learning platforms and educational technology tools (e.g., H5P, Kaltura, DesignPLUS, Fliki, Flat, Extempore, Google Workspace) to ensure functionality, accessibility, well-structured design, and a consistent user experience.

15% - Course Maintenance and Process Improvement

• Operates under supervision to carry out ongoing course maintenance, revision, and development tasks, receiving detailed guidance for new or complex projects.
• Contributes to team productivity by collaboratively prioritizing assignments, analyzing needs or bottlenecks, and developing practical recommendations that support departmental goals and instructional design operations.
• Identifies, initiates and otherwise participates in continuous improvement efforts to enhance instructional quality and student experience.

5% - Professional Development and Instructional Design Skill Growth

• Regularly engages in professional development, including self-directed as well as guided learning, to build instructional design expertise. Participates in planning activities such as curriculum mapping, instructional sequencing, and job task analyses under the mentorship of senior staff.
• Expands knowledge of instructional strategy, accessibility standards, educational technologies, and cross-functional collaboration to support increasing independence and contribution to team goals.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
• Experience applying instructional design principles and learning strategies, including needs analysis, backward design, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), learning outcomes and assessment alignment, and instructional approaches suited for the online environment.
• Experience with learning management systems (e.g., Canvas), video and multimedia tools (e.g., Kaltura, Camtasia), course design tools (e.g., DesignPLUS, HTML), and productivity and project management software (e.g., Asana, Google Workspace).
• Knowledge of how and when work within one course may impact adjacent courses, shared assets, or programmatic goals.
• Working knowledge of learning theories relevant to high school education, student needs, and instructional practices for online learners.
• Knowledgeable of trends in educational technology and its role in delivering engaging, media-rich online learning experiences.
• Working knowledge of copyright law, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and ADA accessibility standards in digital environments, and related regulations and guidelines for online course development and distribution.
• Fundamental skills in analysis and critical thinking.
• Strong problem-solving and organizational skills.
• Proficiency in verbal and interpersonal communication.
• Strong writing skills necessary to effectively communicate with a variety of target audiences.
• Ability to focus attention on details and accuracy.
• Ability to organize, conduct, and synthesize analysis to inform decisions and develop recommendations.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across teams and negotiate shared solutions when needed.
• Teaching Credential, ID degree and/or certification, or other/equivalent experience or training.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's degree in instructional design, educational technology, curriculum and instruction, learning design and technology, or a closely related field.
• Familiarity with institutional policies and procedures that impact online course development, including academic integrity, accessibility, quality assurance frameworks, and instructional quality standards.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
• Selected candidate must pass the employment misconduct disclosure process.
• Must live within the state of California or willing to relocate to California.
• This position works remotely, requiring a telecommuting agreement and adherence to the UCSC Telecommuting/Remote Work Guidelines. The employee shall be available in a full-time capacity during assigned telecommuting work hours (specific hours to be discussed with the supervisor). While telecommuting/remote working, the employee is responsible for ensuring a worksite environment suitable for accomplishing their regular job duties during scheduled hours of work and, if applicable, arranging for dependent care just as they would if they were working at the regular UCSC worksite.
• Ability to work long periods of time at a computer with or without accommodation.
• This is a fully remote position, and the selected candidate must be able to work successfully from a home/remote office and be able to fulfill the requirements of the UCSC telecommuting agreement.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends as directed.
• Ability to travel nationally.
• Ability to maintain appearance and conduct suitable for working in a professional setting.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• The University of California has implemented a Vaccination Policy covering all employees. Employees, including new hires, are required to comply with any applicable policies relating to the University of California vaccine program.
• Per the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), this position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter. The selected candidate will be required to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect as defined by CANRA and will be required to sign a Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse prior to commencing employment. CANRA Penal Codes, and related definitions, requirements, and responsibilities may be obtained here.
• Exercise the utmost discretion in managing sensitive information learned in the course of performing their duties. Sensitive information includes but is not limited to employee and student records, health and patient records, financial data, strategic plans, proprietary information and any other sensitive or non-public information learned during the course and scope of employment. Understands that sensitive information should be shared on a limited basis and actively takes steps to limit access to sensitive information to individuals who have legitimate business need to know. Ensure that sensitive information is properly safeguarded. Follow all organizational policies and laws on data protection and privacy. This includes secure handling of physical and digital records and proper usage of IT systems to prevent data leaks. The unauthorized or improper disclosure of confidential work-related information obtained from any source on any work-related matter is a violation of these expectations.

MISCONDUCT DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:
  • UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
  • UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
  • Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

SAFETY STATEMENT

All UCSC employees must understand and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY

EEO/AA

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.

It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.