Learning Designer

Unity Environmental University is seeking a Learning Designer to manage online course and micro-credential development for their Distance Education program. The role involves collaborating with faculty and subject matter experts to create engaging learning experiences, analyzing student data for continuous improvement, and ensuring content accessibility. The position emphasizes innovative, experiential online education and is designed for flexibility, making it ideal for busy professionals.
About Unity:

At Unity Environmental University we are on a mission to make
environmental education accessible and affordable to all. Our
unique model combines a functional hierarchy and project-based
structure through our four Sustainable Education Business Units
(SEBUs) to promote collaboration and innovation (Distance
Education, Sustainable Ventures, and Unity @ Pineland). We
prioritize our students' needs above all else, offering a variety
of modalities, including hybrid, in-person, hyflex, and online. Our
innovative and inclusive culture prepares students to tackle
real-world challenges and cultivate the next generation of
environmental professionals and leaders who can make a positive
impact on our world.

Our Mission:

We are dedicated to delivering quality education and experiences
that produce outstanding environmentally competent professionals
and inspire individuals from all walks of life to steward
sustainable ecosystems.

About Distance Education:

Distance Education provides an entirely asynchronous, online
learning experience that adapts to the unique circumstances of each
student. Our fully accredited bachelor's and master's degree
programs, as well as non-degree credits, empower learners to shape
their own educational journey. With 8 five-week terms for
undergraduates and 5 eight-week terms for graduate students, our
model offers unparalleled flexibility. You can learn at your own
pace, and take breaks as needed. By using your everyday environment
as your laboratory, you'll integrate your studies into your daily
life. This makes our education ideal for busy professionals who
seek to advance their careers while still honoring their
commitments. We are committed to empowering our students to become
the changemakers our world needs, wherever they are.

The Opportunity:

The Learning Designers primary responsibility is to manage projects
involving online courses and micro-credential development and
maintenance for Unity Environmental University Distance Education.
To accomplish this, they will: Synthesize technical and pedagogical
literacy and apply that expertise, in collaboration with subject
matter experts (SMEs) and institution administrators, to design
engaging, experiential learning activities; Iteratively improve
upon student-learning experiences through the collection and
analysis of student data, as well as feedback from course
instructors and SMEs, to follow the evolving needs of the
professional spheres for which the students are being prepared;
Continuously evaluate the performance of the courses and
micro-credentials they design, and the efficacy of established
learning design practices, using student performance data; and,
ensure the accessibility of the content and activities they build
using universal design principles and Americans with Disabilities
Act (ADA) compliance standards.

Day to day responsibilities:
• Work collaboratively with Distance Education (DE) faculty and
staff to design and develop high quality, innovative, experiential
online courses, and micro-credentials.
• Act as an expert resource for our Canvas learning management
system (LMS) and related tools.
• Apply the appropriate learning and instructional theories for
excellent online course and micro-credential designs and
implementations.
• Design online content for the Canvas LMS.
• Integrate current educational technologies to promote effective
teaching strategies and to improve student-learning
experiences.
• Develop and lead trainings on online instructor and student
support materials, including tutorials, orientations, help
sessions, and workshops, as needed.
• Facilitate and coordinate administrative aspects of course and
micro-credential development, delivery, and support.
• Act as a consultant to Distance Education faculty and
leadership on the process of learning design in teaching, research,
and creative works.
• Provide learning design services, consultation and assistance
to help plan, coordinate, support, evaluate and improve course,
micro-credential and program designs.
• Identify and provide corrective action when needed in alignment
with the Quality Matters program and rubric.
• Develop and manage course and micro-credential development and
implementation schedules.
• Assist faculty and other subject matter experts in navigating
the Canvas LMS, in coordination with Learning Technology
staff.
• Oversee all phases of the design process, aligning
instructional content to learning outcomes, while creating
instructionally sound and engaging learning opportunities, and
developing quality assessment tools.
• Oversee design revisions and outcomes-based improvements of
existing products.
• Remain current and maintain a thorough understanding of the
latest industry technology tools and trends in online
education.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Do you have the skills?
• Bachelor's Degree.
• Strong research, content analysis, and content preparation
skills.
• Experience in leading and managing multiple, complex projects,
and the ability to schedule, prioritize and meet varied deadlines
across these projects.
• Ability to work both independently and within a team.
• Demonstrated excellent oral and written communication skills
with strong interpersonal and presentation skills, while working
with diverse content and populations.
• Proven ability to stay current with rapidly changing
technologies.
• Ability and willingness to work with students from diverse
political/socioeconomic backgrounds and a wide range of physical
and academic abilities.
• Personal commitment to the environmental focus and mission of
the university.
• Ability to function effectively within a matrix organizational
structure, maintaining open lines of communication while being
discreet, courteous and well poised.

Preferred skills:
• Master’s degree in Instructional Design, Education, or
equivalent field.
• One year of experience working in a full-time instructional
design capacity, collaborating directly with faculty in online
curriculum building and course development.
• Experience developing non-traditional learning experiences and
micro-credentials
• Experience with badging.
• Proven knowledge of instructional design strategies, along with
the current techniques, tools, and procedures used in the design,
development, and evaluation of technology-enhanced and online
courses and programs.
• Experience with graphic design and AV elements appropriate for
online instruction, especially using the Adobe Creative Cloud
suite.
• Experience in online classroom teaching or workshop
facilitation.
• Knowledge and understanding of Quality Matters, Online Learning
Consortium and similar online learning rubrics.
• Familiarity with Universal Design and other accessibility
principles to ensure course content is accessible to all
learners.
• Proven ability to work effectively and communicate with subject
matter experts, peers, users and media developers.
• Demonstrated competence in working with learning management
systems, such as Canvas.
• Familiarity with HTML and CSS.

Are you contemplating the job but uncertain if you should
apply? We encourage you to reach out to us regardless. At our
company, we acknowledge that not everyone begins their professional
journey with equal advantages, opportunities, or privileges.
Therefore, we value your unique skills and experiences. Take a
chance and submit your application; you may be precisely the
individual we're searching for!

Location: Pineland Farms, New Gloucester, Maine

Just a half hour from Portland, Unity Environmental University
Headquarters, Unity Environmental University Distance Education,
Unity @ Pineland & Sustainable Ventures are based at the
Pineland Farms campus. The facilities are within easy access to one
of the fastest-growing cities for startups in the country.

Work Schedule:

Work hours are specific to the requirements of this position and
can include days, evenings, and weekends. Working extended hours
required as needed. Must be flexible and cooperative in fulfilling
responsibilities and meeting the Institution’s needs. Although
Unity Environmental University employees are generally scheduled to
work at their specifically assigned locations, there are times when
travel is necessary and employees are required from time to time to
attend events, meetings or work temporary assignment at any Unity
Environmental University location.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, it is regularly required
to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to
stand or walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up
to 25 lbs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include
close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception,
and the ability to adjust focus. The use of either hand for
repetitive movements such as grasping, grasping and turning, and
fine manipulation is required as is the ability to use the
telephone for internal and external communications.

Company Perks:

Unity Environmental University offers a comprehensive and
competitive compensation and benefits package for its faculty and
staff. Benefits for eligible employees include:
• Paid holidays off
• 4 weeks of PTO
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Short- and Long-term disability
• Life Insurance
• Retirement Plan with up to 8% match
• Relocation Assistance