Instructional Designer

The Instructional Designer supports the development of Southwestern Law School’s Online J.D. Program and other future online programs. Reporting to the senior instructional designer, the successful candidate will support faculty in designing and developing engaging, high-quality course materials. This position provides an excellent opportunity for an individual with a background in instructional design and a passion for online education to make a significant impact in higher education. The instructional designer position is fully remote, with a once-a-year trip to Los Angeles for an in-person team meeting. The position is full-time and exempt, with occasional weekend hours as needed.

Primary Responsibilities:

  • Support faculty in designing, developing, and implementing asynchronous law courses, ensuring the highest quality course materials and learner experience.
  • Collaborate closely with faculty, the Senior Instructional Designer, and the Associate Dean for Online Education to align course content with program objectives, accreditation standards, and best practices in online education.
  • Serve as an expert for faculty on the best use and limitations of Canvas. Assist in finding solutions when Canvas is insufficient to support important aspects of instruction.
  • Evaluate faculty teaching plans and learning objectives and implement strategies to facilitate engaging and interactive online learning experiences.
  • Work as part of the instructional design team to provide faculty with information about the best practices in teaching and learning online. This may include assisting with workshops, one-on-one consultations, and creating guides and tutorials.
  • Serve as the hands-on instructional designer and content creator for many courses.
  • Ensure that course materials are accessible to all learners, including those with disabilities, and compliant with relevant laws and regulations, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act.
  • Assist faculty in identifying appropriate material and course content for videos.  Work with our Technology Team Lead and the Instructional Media Production Support Specialists to facilitate the creation of appropriate video, animation, and H5P content for the Online J.D. program and other online programs. 
  • Stay current with industry trends and best practices in instructional design, online education, and legal education, and apply this knowledge to the ongoing development and refinement of the Online J.D. program.
  • Perform these and other duties as assigned by the Senior Instructional Designer and the Associate Dean for Online Education.

Minimum Job Requirements:

  • Prefer a master's degree in instructional design, educational technology, or a related field.
  • Experience working in higher education and/or law school. 
  • At least 3-5 years of experience in instructional design.
  • Demonstrated experience in designing and developing content for online asynchronous courses, preferably in higher education or professional development settings.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required:

  • Ability to quickly learn and adapt new technology for use in an online classroom.  
  • Knowledge of best practices in online education, instructional design, and adult learning principles.
  • Strong project management skills, with the ability to prioritize, multitask, and meet tight deadlines.
  • Excellent communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills.
  • Proficiency in instructional technology tools and learning management systems (Canvas), and Familiarity with Microsoft Office products, PowerPoint, and H5P. 
  • Experience with the legal profession or legal education a plus.

Salary Range: $75,000-$85,000 (depending on experience and qualifications)

To apply: For consideration, please submit a cover letter and resume to jobs3@swlaw.edu.        

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