Learning Designer

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, Hybrid Learning and the Technical Institute for Environmental Professions). 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.

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, The Technical School for Environmental Professions, and the School of Environmental Business & 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, weekends. Working extended hours may be required as needed and Unity Environmental University employees must be flexible and cooperative in fulfilling their responsibilities while meeting the institution's needs.

Although at Unity Environmental University Enterprise employees are generally scheduled to work at their base location, 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 20 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