Instructional Designer at Viterbo University in La Crosse, WI

Viterbo University is seeking an Instructional Designer who builds institutional capacity and advances best practices in online course design, instruction, and student support. The position leads the development of course templates and the redesign and enhancement of online bachelor completion courses and workforce-aligned priority programs in education, nursing, and pre-health. Working collaboratively with faculty, academic departments, the Center for Teaching and Learning, and Instructional & Information Technology colleagues, the Instructional Designer integrates work-based learning, institutionally supported technologies, and evidence-based instructional practices and effective assessment practices to improve teaching effectiveness and the quality of learner-centered educational experiences in online bachelor completion courses and programs. This is a full-time, 12-month, exempt, benefits eligible position. This is a grant-funded, limited-term position with an anticipated duration of five (5) years, contingent upon continued grant funding. Employment beyond the grant period is not guaranteed.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the design, development, redesign, and enhancement of online bachelor completion courses and workforce-aligned priority programs, with an initial emphasis on education, nursing, and pre-health. Focus on assistance for faculty with online pedagogy in asynchronous online platforms.
• Develop and maintain consistent, accessible, learner-centered course templates, design standards, and supporting resources for online and hybrid instruction.
• Partner with faculty and academic departments to align course objectives, learning activities, assessments, instructional materials, and technologies with program outcomes, workforce expectations, and student needs.
• Integrate work-based learning experiences and ethical uses of artificial intelligence into course and program design.
• Apply evidence-based instructional design, online pedagogy, universal design, accessibility, and quality-assurance practices to improve student engagement, learning, and support.
• Consult with faculty individually and in groups to identify instructional and assessment needs, guide design decisions, resolve implementation challenges, and support continuous course improvement.
• Collaborate with Center for Teaching and Learning faculty leads and Instructional Support Services colleagues to plan and facilitate faculty development, training, and consultation that strengthen teaching and assessment effectiveness and build communities of online teaching best practices.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of instructional design initiatives, course templates, faculty development, and technology-supported learning, and recommend improvements based on evidence, feedback, and emerging practices.
• Coordinate with Instructional Support Technologists, the Application Administrator, faculty development leadership, academic administrators, librarians, IIT staff, and other campus partners to align services, clarify responsibilities, and address cross-functional needs affecting online learning environments.
• Create, organize, publish, and periodically update faculty-facing documentation and web or SharePoint content for supported instructional technologies and effective online teaching practices.
• Participate in relevant University committees, grant activities, departmental meetings, technology initiatives, pilot programs, and institutional planning efforts.
• Maintain current knowledge of instructional design, online learning, educational technology, artificial intelligence, accessibility, and workforce-aligned education through ongoing professional development.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of the grant and University priorities.

Grant-Focused Outcomes

• Create scalable templates, standards, and repeatable design processes that strengthen institutional capacity for high-quality online education.
• Complete the planned redesign and enhancement of designated online bachelor completion courses and priority workforce-aligned programs.
• Expand faculty capability in online teaching best practices through consultation, training, resources, and sustained professional development.
• Embed work-based learning and responsible, pedagogically appropriate and ethical uses of artificial intelligence into designated courses and programs.
• Document practices, resources, and implementation approaches that support continued operationalization and improvement of the instructional design function after the grant period.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in instructional design, education, educational technology, or a related field.
• At least three years of experience involving instructional design, learning management systems, distance or online course development, teaching, assessment of student learning or educational technology support.
• Demonstrated knowledge of learner-centered course design, evidence-based instructional practices, online or hybrid pedagogy, and instructional technology.
• Experience collaborating effectively with faculty or subject-matter experts to design or improve courses and learning experiences.
• An equivalent combination of education, skills, and experience may be considered.

Preferred

• Experience with Moodle or a comparable learning management system, including features and functionality related to instructional design.
• Experience with Microsoft 365 tools, including Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive, and Office applications.
• Experience creating effective online educational materials and applying universal design principles for nontraditional learners.
• Experience with workforce-aligned education, adult learners, bachelor completion programs, work-based learning, or grant-funded initiatives.

Skills:

• Broad knowledge of instructional design methods, curriculum development, educational technology, and online learning environments.
• Ability to translate academic and workforce requirements into clear, engaging, accessible learning experiences.
• Ability to facilitate workshops, consultations, and collaborative design processes with audiences of varying technical experience.
• Ability to build productive relationships across academic and administrative units and contribute to a service-oriented team environment.
• Excellent written, oral, interpersonal, organizational, support, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, work independently and collaboratively, and adapt in a rapidly changing environment.
• Alignment with Viterbo University's educational mission and values.

To Apply: Please complete the online employment application form and upload a letter of interest highlighting your experiences to support your candidacy., CV/resume, and three professional references.

Alignment: Viterbo University seeks employees who will embrace the University mission and incorporate our values into their day-to-day work.

Mission: The Viterbo University community prepares students for faithful service and ethical leadership.

Values: In keeping with the tradition of our Franciscan founders, we hold the following core values:

• Contemplation, reflecting upon the presence of God in our lives and work
• Hospitality, welcoming everyone we encounter as an honored guest
• Integrity, striving for honesty in everything we say and do
• Service, working for the common good in the spirit of humility and joy
• Stewardship, practicing responsible use of all resources in our trust

About the University: Viterbo University is a private, not-for-profit, Catholic, Franciscan institutions founded by the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration in 1871. Viterbo offers a student-centered liberal arts education with a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. Located in La Crosse, Wisconsin, the university is nestled along the scenic Mississippi River and surrounded by the stunning bluffs. The local area combines natural beauty with a vibrant, welcoming community, offering opportunities for outdoor recreation, arts and culture. Together, Viterbo and La Crosse provide an exceptional place to live, work, and make a difference.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship at this time.

The university does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of sex or engage in sex discrimination in any education program or activity that the university operates. Title IX's mandate not to discriminate on the basis of sex extends to students, employees, applicants for employment, and other persons in all aspects of the university's programs, activities, and operations. Inquiries regarding how Title IX applies to the university may be referred to the university Title IX coordinator, to the U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights, or to both.

Contact information for the Title IX coordinator is available at Title IX: Sex and Gender Discrimination or Harassment | Viterbo University