Instructional Designer

SUMMARY:

Reporting to the Associate Director of Curriculum Development and Instructional Design, the Instructional Designer’s primary responsibility is to design and deliver a range of instructional design and curriculum projects while ensuring course development is aligned with STW(tm)’s public awareness objectives and a great learning experience to students. He/She will support reviews and development of current, detailed, interactive, and developmentally appropriate water-focused content program delivery.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Supports the Associate Director of Curriculum Development and Instructional Design and works closely with the Curriculum Development Manager to develop learning solutions and upgrades that are flexible and aligned with learning needs, standards and outcomes of learners ages 10-15.
• Engage in extensive research and analyses to ensure that water education content is current, innovative and of realistic calibre.
• Facilitate conversations with users of curriculum developed by the Curriculum Development team and suggest improvements, upgrades and other feedback related to learning.
• Forecast and visualize desired final products, user interface and expected instructional metrics.
• Design surveys and other evaluative processes for learner’s experiences of Save the Water(tm) curriculum projects.
• Recommend and provide analyses of techniques or new learning technologies applicable to curriculum projects.
• An understanding of course authoring applications.
• Contribute to the development of instructional design methodology and best practices applied to curriculum projects.
• Ensure that materials reflect Save the Water’s and the Education Group’s organizational beliefs, values and mission objectives.
• Meet project deadlines as assigned.
• Recommend solutions preemptively for user experience-related issues.
• Organize and attend group/team meetings as necessary.
• Be willing to attend virtual meetings in EST timezone (GMT -4:00) and respond to emails within 36 hours.

EXPERIENCE/REQUIREMENTS:

• Strong analytical, organizational and research skills, with a passion for continuous learning.
• Demonstrate high motivation for facilitating the sharing and acquisition of knowledge and streamlining learning experiences.
• An understanding of learning styles, learner characteristics, special needs and how different types of blended technology affect learners of various age groups.
• Strong attention to detail in all aspects of work.
• Strong ability to take initiative, self-motivate, multi-task and prioritize effectively.
• Proven ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines in a fast-paced and online environment.
• Demonstrate strong written and oral communication skills to elicit information and provide accurate information or training clearly and concisely to internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to follow directions and take initiative.
• Very comfortable working in a virtual team environment incorporating group problem-solving; shares information and responsibility.
• Committed to attending team meetings. Strong relationship-building skills, both internally and externally.
• Outgoing, persistent and energetic. Strong communication and interpersonal skills; able to handle requests and complaints in a professional, non-confrontational manner.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree (or in progress)in Instructional Design, Pedagogy, Education, Educational Technology, Curriculum and Instruction, or similar, with experience in research methods (APA style) and data analysis such as natural and environmental science or other related fields. Equivalencies of education and experience may also be considered.

Requirements

• Work/Volunteer experience as an instructional designer, preferably with some teaching experience for middle school or high school levels.
• Has worked with various Learning Management Systems (LMS).
• Comfortable learning and using a variety of technical solutions to complete project deliverables.
• Experience using Google product applications or GSuite.
• Some experience working with curriculum for middle school audiences is preferred.

Preferred

• Subject matter expert in Science, Environmental Science, Biology, and/or Chemistry.
• Research methodologies, writing, project management.
• Minimum one year of applied experience in research and/or evaluation through school or professional work, preferably in an academic environment. Experience in coordinating research projects preferred.
• Work experience with online learning environments, Learning Management Software, game design, etc.

Note:

• This is an unpaid volunteer opportunity.
• Instructional Designer is expected to put in a minimum of 5 hours per week and be responsive to emails within 36 hours.
• STW(tm) welcomes volunteers who are seeking skill-based volunteering opportunity. STW(tm) shall provide "letter of recommendation" professionals who demonstrate outstanding contribution for professional references.

How to apply:

If interested, please submit your resume to newvolunteers@savethewater.org. We would love to hear from you!