Instructional Designer I

Master’s degree in an appropriate area of specialization; or a bachelor’s degree in an appropriate area of specialization and two years of appropriate experience.

This position is part of a team that supports faculty and staff in the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) and the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) through the CALS Faculty Instructional Resources and Support Team (FIRST). Using best practices and knowledge of learning theory, the Instructional Designer I will apply instructional design principles to improve course quality, student engagement, and alignment with program and course learning outcomes in support of a time-limited instructional design initiative.

Job functions include: 

• In collaboration with instructors and other support team members, develops and implements structured plans to support faculty-defined instructional goals and produce engaging and instructionally aligned learning materials to maximize student success.
• Assists with Canvas course setup and page design for courses and templates using Cidi Labs DesignPLUS and CALS/UF-branded templates. Ensures accessibility and usability standards are implemented in all course materials.
• Supports faculty participation in cohort-based guided course design offerings and develops self-directed course design resources for CALS faculty.
• Collaborates on development of instructional materials including PowerPoints, visual aids, interactive learning materials, and organizational structures for course navigation.
• Documents project activity, maintains records, and provides status updates to the project lead.
• Maintains knowledge of current best practices and trends in instructional design and educational technology to provide research-based recommendations to faculty.

Further Information:

The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is a federal-state-county partnership dedicated to developing knowledge in agriculture, human and natural resources, and the life sciences. The College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) prepares the next generation of leaders to address the world's critical challenges related to agriculture, food systems, human wellbeing, natural resources and sustainable communities.

UF/IFAS and CALS are creating an environment that inspires learning for all and affirms community across all dimensions. We particularly welcome applicants who can contribute to such an environment.

If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please call 352-392-2477 or the Florida Relay System at 800-955-8771 (TDD) or visit Accessibility at UF.

This is a time-limited position with initial funding for one year.

$53,000-$55,000 annually 

Master’s degree in an appropriate area of specialization; or a bachelor’s degree in an appropriate area of specialization and two years of appropriate experience.

• Degree or specialization in educational technology, instructional design, or a closely related field and experience working in an instructional design faculty support unit in higher education are highly preferred.
• Strong working knowledge of instructional design principles and models, adult learning theory, and course development practices.
• Experience conducting course needs assessments and performing preliminary quality reviews using UF’s online course quality standards.
• Experience creating video tutorials and other faculty support resources.
• Experience presenting to faculty and other groups and facilitating interactive work/training sessions.
• Proficiency in developing interactive learning materials and strong skills in PowerPoint, Articulate 360, Playposit, Camtasia, Mediasite, and GenAI.
• Experience with Canvas and CidiLabs DesignPLUS for course development.
• Experience with accessibility compliance (WCAG 2.1) for online courses.
• Comfort working in cross-functional teams and in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment. Ability to work both independently and with a variety of individuals and groups in a constructive and collaborative manner.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, especially in working with faculty subject matter experts.
• Strong attention to detail. Ability to process information and carry out tasks with high levels of accuracy.
• Strong organizational and project coordination skills. Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and activities and effectively prioritize and allocate time to meet deadlines and schedules.

This is a time-limited position with initial funding for one year.

In order to be considered, you must upload the following materials:

• Cover letter that states your motivation for applying and describes how your education, experience, and qualifications have prepared you for this position.
• Resume.
• Contact information (including email addresses) for 3 individuals willing to act as professional references.

Finalists may be asked to provide sample work and/or participate in a skills-based assessment.  

Please note that we are concurrently advertising a second Instructional Designer I position supporting UF/IFAS through the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) Faculty Instructional Resources and Support Team (FIRST). We encourage applicants to apply to both positions.

Application must be submitted by 11:55 p.m. (ET) of the posting end date.