Instructional Technologist (On Ramps)

If you’re passionate about building a better future for individuals, communities, and our country—and you’re committed to working hard to play your part in building that future—consider WGU as the next step in your career.

Driven by a mission to expand access to higher education through online, competency-based degree programs, WGU is also committed to being a great place to work for a diverse workforce of student-focused professionals. The university has pioneered a new way to learn in the 21st century, one that has received praise from academic, industry, government, and media leaders. Whatever your role, working for WGU gives you a part to play in helping students graduate, creating a better tomorrow for themselves and their families.

Working in a small sub-team with a multimedia developer and a content design writer, the Instructional Technologist develops and ensures that online learning products support the vision and design of WGU Academy’s non-degree learning bundles and single courses. The Instructional Technologist is responsible for setting up and building online learning experiences according to documented standards and best practices. This role focuses on troubleshooting, solving technical problems related to delivery of learning and assessment materials, and is responsible for creating a consistent learning experience on our Open edX platform. The Instructional Technologist also ensures that all aspects of the course function properly and collaborates with the accessibility team to ensure universal design best practices are met. This role is responsible for the success of simultaneous projects, assessing risks, reporting progress, and communicating effectively with stakeholders to promote collaboration and accountability. 

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Manage the build and/or tailor process for new non-degree offerings from WGU Academy.

• Ensure that quality standards are reflected in all aspects of the student experience.

• Collaborate with development team members to build superior online courses that are supported by research-based best practices in online learning.

• Work with the development team to ensure alignment of learning outcomes, content, and assessment during the build of courses in the selected platform.

• Work with project managers and other team members to ensure all deadline dates are met throughout the design and development process

• Provide and receive quality assurance reviews on courses and implement revisions.

• Assist with identifying and resolving challenges related to technology, the online delivery of content and assessments, and the student experience.

• Train and mentor team members on assigned WGU technologies.

• Appraise capabilities, strengths and weaknesses of existing, new, and emerging and innovative e-learning technologies and tools that support WGU Academy’s Key Performance Indicators.

• With learning operations coordinators, stay informed about updates, changes, retiring assets, innovations, and opportunities related to WGU’s selected platforms and delivery tools and processes

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skill and Abilities:

• Thorough knowledge of instructional design, learning experience design, and adult learning theory

• Current, solid knowledge of instructional technologies or learning platforms

• The ability to develop online courses according to project requirements and style guide

• Effective interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills

• The ability to collaborate to achieve positive results on projects achieved collaboratively

• Experience with Universal design for learning (UDL), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and copyright compliance regulations and requirements

• Demonstrated knowledge of agile development or rapid prototyping

• Demonstrated ability to learn new technologies, solve emergent technical problems, and share learnings and suggestions with a team to come to a quick, value-driven solution

• Demonstrated success with creating beautiful, friction-free learning experiences for students in competency-based courses.

• Commitment to adding value to the team through efficiency and lean, iterative development

• Ability to manage multiple projects at different stages while meeting deadlines and quality standards

• Ability to work quickly and independently, under minimal supervision

• Strong Knowledge of available open educational resources (OERs)

• Demonstrated proficiency with educational technology and assessment/testing tools

• Advanced skills in