Instructional Design Specialist
University of California Santa Barbara · Santa Barbara, CA · On-site · Staff (Full-time)
Apply by Jan 21, 2026
Posted Jan 9, 2026
Under the general supervision of the Associate Dean, the Instructional Design Specialist collaborates with subject matter experts, instructors, and Program Managers to design and develop high-quality courses, workshops, and programs across multiple formats, with a focus on accessibility, andragogy, and UCSB academic policies. They manage all aspects of course development within the Canvas LMS-from initial planning to final delivery-ensuring alignment with institutional standards, ADA compliance, and curriculum committee approvals. The Incumbent also provides training and ongoing support to PaCE instructors and staff to ensure effective course planning, delivery, and alignment with learning outcomes. They develop and maintain training materials, contribute to instructional documentation, and help implement consistent standards and branding for online courses. Additionally, they stay current with emerging trends and tools in online education, support the adoption of new technologies, and assist in onboarding and training both new and current instructors and staff. Further, they coordinate course and instructor evaluations across PaCE programs to support continuous quality improvement. They ensure courses meet PaCE standards for presentation, branding, and instructional best practices and work with program staff to prepare courses in advance of launch. In collaboration with Associate Deans and program teams, they address areas for improvement, support instructor development, and contribute to ongoing discussions on instructional quality. Finally, the Instructional Design Specialist collaborates with Web, Program Teams, and Program Support to ensure course and program descriptions are accurate, up-to-date, and stylistically consistent. They regularly review and revise web content and related materials to maintain a clear and cohesive voice across all platforms, supporting effective communication with prospective students and stakeholders.
Job Functions and Percentages of Time:
65% Course Development
- Under the general direction of the Associate Dean (CEIII), the Instructional Design Specialist applies instructional design principles grounded in universal design for accessibility and UCSB academic policies to the co-creation of high-quality educational products and learning experiences for UC Santa Barbara Professional and Continuing Education (PaCE). In collaboration with the subject matter experts, instructors, and Program Managers, the incumbent develops new courses, workshops, and programs in all delivery formats - In-Class, Online Live, Asynchronous, Hybrid and Online blended, with an emphasis on delivery using PaCE's current Learning Management Systems (LMS) platform, Canvas. The Instructional Design Specialist:
- Develops courses within the PaCE's designated LMS, operating within a course production framework that is flexible and dynamic to allow for changes in technology, student/faculty expectations, changes to pedagogy, new curriculum, maintenance, and improvement.
- Collaborates with subject matter experts during the planning and implementation phases of course design.
- Prepares all components of a course, including the overview, syllabus, learning outcomes, course content, proficiency assessments, interactive activities, etc.
- Works with program managers while finalizing the product, and shares responsibility in course delivery per a program/course development schedule and budget to meet the needs of the institution.
- Writes and copy-edits new course descriptions to be implemented across PaCE's website.
- Project-manages course development from inception to completion and communicates progress to the Associate Dean and the subject area Program Managers.
- Attends curriculum committee and/or advisory meetings and ensures approved changes in curriculum are implemented.
- Reviews existing courses to make sure they comply with PaCE standards. Completes testing of content and tools to meet ADA requirements.
- Other course development tasks as needed.
20% Instructor Training
- In collaboration with the Program Support Specialist, the Instructional Design Specialist trains and supports PaCE staff (program managers) and instructors in planning and delivering courses aligned with clearly defined student learning outcomes. The focus is on fostering engaging learning experiences and implementing authentic assessment strategies. Specifically, the incumbent:
- Develops and maintains instructor training materials, including training courses, documentation, and all necessary materials.
- Actively creates and contributes to ongoing documentation, training, and knowledge bases. Keeps them current.
- Working with the Web Team, and in consultation with Program staff and instructors. reviews and creates the PaCE course template, maintaining distinctive branding and a common set of standards for online course delivery components.
- Participates in testing and piloting new educational tools and features of new learning platforms. Make recommendations on how to use these tools.
- Keeps abreast of emerging trends in online instruction, andragogy, and tools, particularly those related to online copyright issues, accessibility, and the use of open educational resources.
- Works with Program support to train all incoming instructors and provides current instructors with the knowledge necessary to use new tools and teaching strategies.
- Trains program managers (and other non-programming PaCE team members as applicable) on PaCE's instructional tools, processes, and policies.
- Participate in the instructor hiring process as necessary.
- Other training-related tasks as needed.
10% Course review and evaluation coordination
- Works with program support to conduct course and instructor evaluations for all PaCE programs, ensuring that quarterly evaluations are properly staged and all instructors receive the necessary training and information.
- Periodically revise course implementations to make sure they conform to PaCE standards, including but not limited to course presentation, adoption of PaCE-branded layout, and best practices, etc.
- Works with Program Support to make sure courses are ready in advance of course start, evaluating readiness and taking the necessary corrective actions (including but not limited to instructor training, coaching, and reminders) to improve readiness gradually.
- Collaborates with the program team to address improvement areas and corrective actions.
- Assists Associate Deans in ensuring continuous quality improvement in all program formats and deliverables.
- Assists the Associate Dean in annual instructor meetings in conducting discussions on instructional quality.
- Other course review tasks as needed.
5% Program and Course description oversight
- In collaboration with the Web, Program Teams, and Program Support, the incumbent periodically revises course web descriptions and related materials, ensuring accuracy and consistency in voice and style.
- Checks course-related content for accuracy and style.
- Other editing tasks as needed.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor's Degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training
- 1-3 years Experience maintaining a professional relationship with learners, instructors/faculty, and other staff.
- Working knowledge of instructional design principles and learning strategies, including needs analysis, backwards design, learning outcomes and assessment design, and instructional approaches including lecture, discussion, activities, projects, etc.
- Working knowledge of major Learning Management Systems (LMS), their principles and limitations
- Working knowledge of video production, as applicable its use in current instructional design
- Working knowledge of adult learning theories and education methodologies.
- Working knowledge of e-learning strategies including but not limited to courses (e.g., processes and technologies, etc.), and ability to lead effective online and in-person classroom experiences.
- Demonstrated analytical skills to conduct analysis of course effectiveness and develop recommendations, demonstrating organizational and problem-solving skills.
- Proficiency in planning, resourcing and monitoring effective design life cycles of training and other learning and performance solutions to support Professional and Continuing Education programs.
- Proficiency in analytical, verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills, collaboration and negotiation skills.
- Ability to work cooperatively with others and independently, both synchronously and asynchronously.
- Demonstrated project management skills and the ability to establish a production calendar.
- Punctual, conscientious about completing tasks, and demonstrated a sense of responsibility.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Knowledgeable of Destiny (Modern Campus Lifelong Learning) business system, Canvas Learning Management System, and other University-specific computer application programs and pertinent databases.
