Edtech.com's Summary

Southwestern University is hiring an Instructional Designer & Technologist. This role supports faculty in designing and delivering inclusive, effective teaching through expertise in instructional design, pedagogy, educational technology, and LMS administration. The position involves collaborating with faculty on course development, managing the LMS, and integrating emerging technologies to enhance learning outcomes.

Highlights

Design and develop face-to-face, hybrid, and online courses using evidence-based strategies and inclusive pedagogy.
Provide faculty consultations, workshops, and develop instructional resources focused on course design and digital tools.
Administer the university’s Learning Management System (currently Moodle, potential migration to Canvas) including configuration, user support, and troubleshooting.
Evaluate and recommend emerging educational technologies, including generative AI tools, to improve teaching and student engagement.
Maintain and develop training materials, user guides, and web resources related to LMS and instructional design.
Master's degree in instructional design, educational technology, or related field required, with at least 5 years of relevant experience.
Expertise with LMS administration, preferably Moodle, and instructional design frameworks like backward design and Universal Design for Learning (UDL).
Strong project management, communication, and collaborative skills, with a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Starting salary of $70,000 with potential for higher compensation based on experience.
Comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, retirement contributions, tuition assistance, and paid time off.

Instructional Designer & Technologist Full Description

Instructional Designer & Technologist

Southwestern University: Staff Positions

Location

Georgetown, Texas

Open Date

Jul 16, 2025

Description

About Us:

Located in Georgetown, Texas, Southwestern University is an independent, four-year undergraduate institution offers a top-ranked integrated arts and sciences curriculum that incorporates the humanities, fine arts, social sciences, and natural sciences.

At Southwestern University, we are committed to fostering an environment where every individual feels respected, valued, and empowered. We believe that a thriving community is built on the strength of varying perspectives and experiences, and we strive to create an atmosphere of mutual respect and understanding. Our actions are guided by a commitment to fairness, openness, and the belief that our differences are what make us stronger as a whole.

Position Overview:

Southwestern University has an immediate opening for a Instructional Designer & Technologist. This position will report to the Dean of the Faculty. The incumbent plays a central role in supporting faculty in the design and delivery of high-quality, inclusive, and effective teaching and learning. The position combines expertise in instructional design, inclusive pedagogy, educational technology, and comprehensive Learning Management System (LMS) administration. Reporting to the Dean of the Faculty, this role is critical to advancing Southwestern’s commitment to innovative teaching within a liberal arts context. This is a full-time exempt position eligible for our comprehensive benefits program.

Essential Duties:

· Instructional Design and Faculty Support (50%)

o Collaborate with faculty to design and develop face-to-face, hybrid, and online courses grounded in evidence-based teaching strategies, backward design, and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles.

o Provide individual consultations and group workshops on course design, inclusive pedagogy, active learning, and effective integration of digital tools into teaching.

o Develop and maintain faculty development resources, guides, and toolkits on instructional design, course alignment, and learning technologies.

o Support faculty in incorporating emerging technologies, including generative AI tools, to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes.

o Partner with departments and programs to build faculty capacity in using Moodle (or future LMS platforms), digital assessment tools, and instructional technology platforms.

o Maintain a Sponsored Programs web-site.

· Learning Management System Administration and Support (40%)

o Serve as the primary administrator for the university’s Learning Management System (currently Moodle, with potential migration to Canvas), including configuration, integrations, user management, training, and troubleshooting.

o Provide support to faculty, staff, and students, ensuring efficient LMS operations and timely resolution of technical issues.

o Lead ongoing system evaluation, feature adoption, and continuous improvement of LMS functionality to support evolving pedagogical needs.

o Collaborate with IT, academic departments, and external vendors to manage LMS updates, integrations, data reporting, and technical enhancements.

o Develop and maintain training materials, user guides, and on-demand resources for LMS users.

· Educational Technology and Digital Learning Innovation (10%)

o Evaluate emerging educational technologies and instructional design tools to recommend adoption aligned with institutional goals.

o Provide consultation on educational technology tools such as video creation platforms, interactive content development, and AI-powered learning supports.

o Support digital accessibility compliance in course design and technology adoption.

Additional Duties:

· Perform other duties as assigned by the director.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

· Master’s degree in instructional design, educational technology, learning sciences, higher education, or related field.

· Minimum of 5 years of experience in instructional design and/or LMS administration, preferably in a higher education environment.

· Demonstrated expertise in instructional design frameworks (e.g., backward design, UDL, inclusive pedagogy, adult learning theory).

· Significant experience administering Learning Management Systems (Moodle strongly preferred; Canvas, Blackboard, or D2L experience acceptable).

· Strong project management, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to translate technical concepts into user-friendly guidance.

· Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with faculty across diverse disciplines.

· Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and continuous improvement in teaching and learning.

Preferred Qualifications:

· PhD in an academic discipline represented within the liberal arts and sciences.

· Demonstrated record of scholarship and publishing.

· Experience managing LMS transitions or system migrations.

· Familiarity with data analytics tools for learning analytics, student success monitoring, and course evaluation.

· Proficiency in educational technology tools, including video creation, multimedia content development, and interactive learning applications.

· Experience supporting generative AI applications for teaching and learning.

· Knowledge of accessibility standards (WCAG, Section 508), LTI integrations, and compliance in digital learning environments.

· Supervisory experience with student workers or academic support staff.

Starting annual salary: $70,000. The final offer for the successful candidate will be commensurate with experience and may exceed the starting salary.

Benefits:

Southwestern University offers a comprehensive benefits package, which includes health and welfare insurance (medical, dental, and vision), life and AD&D insurance, long-term disability coverage, generous contributions to a 403(b) retirement account, an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), various paid time-off options, undergraduate tuition assistance for you and your dependents, access to athletic facilities, free parking, and discounted meal rates, along with other benefits designed to support your well-being and work-life balance.

Application Instructions

How to Apply: Interested candidates should submit a letter of interest, resume, and the name and contact information of three (3) professional references through Interfolio. Email and paper applications will not be accepted.

All offers are contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

In compliance with immigration laws, proof of work authorization in the United States will be required when employment begins. Southwestern University is an E-Verify employer.

Southwestern University is an equal-opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable law.

We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us by email at hr@southwestern.edu.

Jeanne Clery Statement: Notice of Availability of Annual Security and Fire Safety Report— Southwestern University Annual Safety and Fire Report is available online at https://www.southwestern.edu/life-at-southwestern/safety-security/annual-security-reports/ containing mandated information about current campus policies concerning safety and security issues, required statistics, and other related information for the past three calendar years. To obtain a paper copy of the report, please call 512-863-1435.

Original Job Description