Instructional Designer

Mission Statement

The mission of the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work is to improve the well-being of vulnerable individuals and communities, advance social and economic justice, and eradicate pressing societal problems in complex and culturally diverse urban environments throughout Southern California, the nation, and the world. This mission is achieved through experiential, practice-based, and competency-driven education, alongside culturally responsive training that is informed by evidence and best practices.

Position Overview

The USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work invites applications for a full-time, fixed-term Instructional Designer. This pivotal role will contribute to the development of the new Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program and enhance existing undergraduate activities, with occasional collaboration on graduate curricula. The Instructional Designer will lead the creation and revision of innovative, technology-enhanced courses that cater to diverse student populations and learning styles. This individual will work closely with faculty to build their capacity in instructional design, ensuring that the curriculum aligns with the school’s mission, program, and course objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Curriculum Development: Design and develop cutting-edge undergraduate and graduate courses, integrating the latest educational technologies, AI, and innovative pedagogical approaches.
• Faculty Collaboration: Partner with faculty to enhance their instructional design capabilities, providing mentorship and support in the development and delivery of effective, engaging, and accessible content.
• Instructional Design Strategy: Develop and implement instructional design strategies that align with learning outcomes, course objectives, and accessibility standards, tailored to diverse student needs.
• Project Leadership: Lead complex instructional design projects, coordinating with multiple stakeholders to ensure high-quality content delivery and adherence to project timelines.
• Technology Integration: Leverage platforms such as Canvas, Brightspace, Blackboard, and 6Connex to enhance course delivery and student engagement, continuously exploring new tools and technologies.
• Assessment & Improvement: Design and implement assessment tools to measure student learning outcomes and course effectiveness, using data to guide continuous improvement efforts.
• Commitment to Diversity: Create inclusive learning environments that support students from diverse backgrounds, incorporating strategies that address different learning styles and needs.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in instructional design, educational technology, curriculum development, or a related field.
• Experience: At least 2 years of experience in instructional design, with a focus on undergraduate education. Experience in social work or related fields is highly desirable.
• Technology Proficiency: Expertise in learning management systems (e.g., Canvas, Brightspace, Blackboard, 6Connex), e-learning authoring tools, multimedia development software, and emerging technologies like AI.
• Project Management: Strong project management skills, with a demonstrated ability to lead complex projects, manage multiple priorities, and collaborate with faculty and staff.
• Communication Skills: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to convey complex ideas clearly and effectively to diverse audiences.

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: Master’s degree in instructional design, educational technology, curriculum development, or a related field.
• Advanced Experience: 7+ years in instructional design, particularly in social work education, with a strong focus on innovative curriculum development and assessment.
• Interprofessional Education: Experience in designing and implementing interprofessional education curricula.
• Continuous Learning: Commitment to staying current with emerging trends, technologies, and best practices in instructional design and higher education.

Compensation

The annual base range for this position is $79,228 - $83,000. When extending an offer of employment, USC considers factors such as the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, and external market and organizational considerations.

Location

This position is based at the University Park Campus in Los Angeles, California.

USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix Dfor specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying. 

Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree Minimum Experience: 2 years Minimum Field of Expertise: Directly related experience in curriculum development, instructional design courses and/or on-line teaching in a university or corporate environment. Demonstrated interpersonal, critical thinking and communication skills. Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office.