Instructional Designer
Center for Public Partnerships & Research, Topeka, Kansas, United States, 66652
Overview
The Center for Certification and Competency-Based Education (C3Be), a center within the Achievement and Assessment Institute and the University of Kansas, seeks an Instructional Designer to design competency-based learning experiences and assessment activities. The Instructional Designer will support faculty in designing learning modules for competency-based education programs and offerings, in collaboration with C3Be colleagues and partners, for development and delivery of programs using the Canvas LMS. Jayhawk Global advances non-traditional learner engagement, including online degree programs, professional and workforce development, certifications, competency-based education, credit for prior experience, employee training, and enrichment learning. Jayhawk Global serves KU academic units as well as external regions including all Kansas counties, 50 U.S. states, and over 40 countries. The units in Jayhawk Global include: C3Be, Jayhawk Online & Jayhawk Flex, Extended Learning (including the Aerospace Short Course Program, Conferences & Noncredit Courses, and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute), the Kansas Fire & Rescue Training Institute, and the Center for Online & Distance Learning.
Benefits and Culture KU offers benefits including paid vacation and sick leave, holidays, a retirement program, medical and dental insurance, life and disability insurance, other benefit options, and State of Kansas employee discounts. Education and professional development opportunities are available. Tuition assistance offers up to 12 credit hours per year for employees, plus Employee Dependent Tuition Assistance Scholarship (EDTAS) opportunities. Details are available at KU Benefits and Tuition Assistance.
Responsibilities 50% Learning Design & Development:
Collaborate with faculty to design and build engaging, high-quality competency-based online learning modules for delivery in the Canvas LMS.
Enhance module content with multimedia technologies that support teaching and learning in Canvas.
Assist faculty in designing or adapting learning materials to ensure alignment with Jayhawk Flex Design Standards.
50% Implementation and Production:
Upload learning materials and assessments into Canvas, adapting blueprint templates as needed.
Collaborate with Digital Media Specialists and campus partners (e.g., KUIT Educational Technologists) to implement and facilitate technologies that support teaching and learning in Canvas.
Conduct quality and accessibility reviews of learning modules and support revisions to meet Jayhawk Flex Design Standards.
Position Details Position is expected to have an on-site presence, but remote/hybrid arrangements will be considered for highly-qualified applicants.
Qualifications Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in instructional design, curriculum & instruction, educational technology, or related field.
2 years of experience designing or facilitating teaching & learning experiences for adult learners and/or within higher education.
Experience designing learning experiences for online/asynchronous delivery.
Experience applying universal design and accessibility principles in education.
Experience working with a variety of teaching and learning technologies (e.g., Adobe products, Articulate 360, Canvas, Microsoft Teams, Office 365, VoiceThread, Zoom).
Ability to work collaboratively and creatively in a deadline-driven environment, as evidenced by application materials and interview process.
Ability to manage multiple projects at different stages, while meeting deadlines and quality standards, as evidenced by application materials and interview process.
This position requires a formal degree in the cited discipline area(s) to ensure candidates have advanced knowledge, analytical skills, and professional competencies. The degree level is the standard qualification for similar roles in public and private sectors to remain competitive and support collaborations and service delivery.
Preferred Qualifications
Advanced degree in instructional design or educational technology.
Experience with Canvas Credentials and/or DesignPLUS course design tools.
Experience with competency-based educational program design and instruction.
Experience with active learning pedagogies and assessment approaches (e.g., PBL, performance assessments, evidence-centered design, portfolios).
Experience with design thinking methods and iterative design processes, including backwards design.
Experience in higher education environments and working with faculty and subject matter experts.
Experience collaborating with remote colleagues.
Application Process Additional candidate instructions: In addition to the online application, the following documents are required:
Cover letter describing how you meet the required and preferred qualifications.
Resume
List of three professional references
Only complete applications will be considered. Application review begins February 2, 2026 and will continue until a qualified pool is identified.
Contact Information Julianna Stockton stocktonj@ku.edu
Salary and Dates Advertised Salary Range: $60,000
Application Review Begins: Monday, February 2, 2026
Anticipated Start Date: Sunday, March 1, 2026
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Benefits and Culture KU offers benefits including paid vacation and sick leave, holidays, a retirement program, medical and dental insurance, life and disability insurance, other benefit options, and State of Kansas employee discounts. Education and professional development opportunities are available. Tuition assistance offers up to 12 credit hours per year for employees, plus Employee Dependent Tuition Assistance Scholarship (EDTAS) opportunities. Details are available at KU Benefits and Tuition Assistance.
Responsibilities 50% Learning Design & Development:
Collaborate with faculty to design and build engaging, high-quality competency-based online learning modules for delivery in the Canvas LMS.
Enhance module content with multimedia technologies that support teaching and learning in Canvas.
Assist faculty in designing or adapting learning materials to ensure alignment with Jayhawk Flex Design Standards.
50% Implementation and Production:
Upload learning materials and assessments into Canvas, adapting blueprint templates as needed.
Collaborate with Digital Media Specialists and campus partners (e.g., KUIT Educational Technologists) to implement and facilitate technologies that support teaching and learning in Canvas.
Conduct quality and accessibility reviews of learning modules and support revisions to meet Jayhawk Flex Design Standards.
Position Details Position is expected to have an on-site presence, but remote/hybrid arrangements will be considered for highly-qualified applicants.
Qualifications Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in instructional design, curriculum & instruction, educational technology, or related field.
2 years of experience designing or facilitating teaching & learning experiences for adult learners and/or within higher education.
Experience designing learning experiences for online/asynchronous delivery.
Experience applying universal design and accessibility principles in education.
Experience working with a variety of teaching and learning technologies (e.g., Adobe products, Articulate 360, Canvas, Microsoft Teams, Office 365, VoiceThread, Zoom).
Ability to work collaboratively and creatively in a deadline-driven environment, as evidenced by application materials and interview process.
Ability to manage multiple projects at different stages, while meeting deadlines and quality standards, as evidenced by application materials and interview process.
This position requires a formal degree in the cited discipline area(s) to ensure candidates have advanced knowledge, analytical skills, and professional competencies. The degree level is the standard qualification for similar roles in public and private sectors to remain competitive and support collaborations and service delivery.
Preferred Qualifications
Advanced degree in instructional design or educational technology.
Experience with Canvas Credentials and/or DesignPLUS course design tools.
Experience with competency-based educational program design and instruction.
Experience with active learning pedagogies and assessment approaches (e.g., PBL, performance assessments, evidence-centered design, portfolios).
Experience with design thinking methods and iterative design processes, including backwards design.
Experience in higher education environments and working with faculty and subject matter experts.
Experience collaborating with remote colleagues.
Application Process Additional candidate instructions: In addition to the online application, the following documents are required:
Cover letter describing how you meet the required and preferred qualifications.
Resume
List of three professional references
Only complete applications will be considered. Application review begins February 2, 2026 and will continue until a qualified pool is identified.
Contact Information Julianna Stockton stocktonj@ku.edu
Salary and Dates Advertised Salary Range: $60,000
Application Review Begins: Monday, February 2, 2026
Anticipated Start Date: Sunday, March 1, 2026
#J-18808-Ljbffr