Item 9.A-April 11, 2014
ADMINISTRATIVE FACULTY POSITION DESCRIPTION QUESTIONNAIRE
To expedite and facilitate the PDQ review process, please send the PDQ and Org Chart electronically to
marshag@unr.edu for discussion and for initial review before routing PDQ for approval signatures.
Questions - call UNR Faculty HR at 682-6114
INSTRUCTIONS: See http://www.unr.edu/hr/compensation-and-evaluation for complete instructions.
Incumbent(s) Name (if applicable): Somer Atchley (17495); New
Position
Current Title: Instructional Designer (365)
Position #(s): 17495; New
Current Range: 2
(JCC:77350)
Department: 365 Learning
College/Division: Extended Studies
Account #(s): 1101-120-0019; 1201-120-0005
Action Proposed: (check all that apply)
() New position:
Proposed Range:
Proposed Title:
( ) Title Change, Proposed Title:
( ) Proposed Reassignment from Range to Range
(X) Revised PDQ only (no change in range or title) – Add New Position #
( ) Line of Progression (show titles below)
Range:
JCC (Current
or new HR
assigned):
I certify that the statements in this description are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge.
____________________________________________________________
Employee’s Signature
__________________
Date
I/we have reviewed the statements in this form and they accurately reflect the job assignments.
____________________________________________________________
__________________
Immediate Supervisor’s Signature Shannon Brown, Assoc Dir, Online Instruction
Date
____________________________________________________________
Director/Chair/Dean Fred Holman, Vice Provost, Extended Studies
__________________
Date
Approved for Salary Placement Committee review.
____________________________________________________________
__________________
Pres / Vice Pres / Vice Prov Signature Stacy Burton, Vice Provost, Faculty Affairs Date
Action Approved by the Provost/President (Completed by Faculty HR):
77350 Range:
2
Pos #(s): 17495; New
JCC:
EEO: 3A
Eff: 4/1/2014
Approved Title: Instructional Designer (365)
Employee signs on “final” stamped approved PDQ and sends to HR for personnel file.
Employee Signature:_______________________________________________ __________________
Date
Printed Name: ____________________________________________________
Rev: 10/1/2012
Position Description – Instructional Designer (365)
Page 2
1. Summary Statement: State the major function(s) of the position and its role in the
university. Attach an organizational chart with positions, ranges, and names for the division
which reflects the position in it as well as those supervised in the department. (This section is
used for advertisement of the position.)
The Instructional Designer is responsible for supporting faculty in the process of developing highquality academic credit courses consistent with the expectations of 365 Learning’s Online Learning
department at the University of Nevada, Reno. The position handles course development, including,
but not limited to, creating HTML content pages and building course sites to include all elements in
Blackboard (called WebCampus at UNR). The Instructional Designer works with faculty to create
course content elements using multimedia tools (including training faculty on how to use these tools).
The position provides training to faculty who will be teaching online courses, giving hands-on
demonstrations of the Learning Management System (LMS) and pedagogical advice for maximizing
teaching effectiveness in the medium In addition, the position updates existing course sites each
semester. The Instructional Designer is expected to keep abreast of emerging instructional design
theory and instructional technologies. The position reports to the Associate Director of Online
Learning.
2. List the major responsibilities, including percentage of time devoted to each. Provide
enough detail to enable a person outside the department to understand the job (percentage
first with heading and then bulleted information).
70% - Instructional Design
 Design complete course sites in WebCampus, including creating the HTML pages designed in
Dreamweaver using cascading style sheets, and creating the learning modules, course tools,
and any other elements a course employs
 Collaborate with Course Editor/Designer during the development phase to build new classes
and throughout the life of existing classes
 Serve as a resource to faculty throughout the course design and development phase and give
pedagogical advice to faculty teaching online as the delivery method is new to many
 Communicate University and department policies, criteria, standards, and best practices to
faculty
 Leverage faculty knowledge of content and control over courses by providing knowledge and
expertise in online delivery methods
 Update course sites and links as needed and explore and make suggestions to improve
existing courses
 Research current trends/technology in online course design to create and design courses
most appropriate to a particular subject matter
 Collaborate with faculty during the design and development of courses to introduce features
such as multimedia tools, online resources, and WebCampus tools
 Update assigned course sites for each upcoming semester
 Double-check course sites upon completion to ensure they’re complete (including grade book
set up, all links are active and accurate, assignment due dates and times are correct, etc.)
 Build and update online exams each semester
20% - Faculty and Student Support
 Provide internal and external customer service regarding technical issue and problem
resolution to faculty, students, and colleagues
 Meet with new faculty after courses are designed and before the start of the term to give
hands-on demonstrations of the LMS
Position Description – Instructional Designer (365)
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10% Program Support
 Compile mid-semester and final course evaluations each semester
 Schedule classes in MyNevada and complete all necessary steps for courses to be properly
listed, including coding fees properly
 Provide guidance to customers and implement Online Learning and University policies to
include Summer Session, Evening Studies, Wintermester, Late Start Weekend Classes, and
Freshman Start
 Provide front office support when needed (including but not limited to proctoring exams,
answering phone calls, etc.)
3. Describe the level of freedom to take action and make decisions with or without
supervision and how the results of the work performed impact the department, division and/or
the university as a whole.
Level of Freedom:
Working under limited supervision, the Instructional Designer makes suggestions on how to deliver
course content and works collaboratively with faculty who are teaching with Online Learning. The
position has freedom in decision making related to instructional support and guides faculty decisions
about course delivery. The Instructional Designer must work with initiative and collaboratively with the
OL Design Team, but also independently in day-to-day tasks. The Associate Director is consulted on
goal setting and best practices, development priorities, and more complex projects.
Impact:
The decisions and judgments made by the position when advising faculty about online courses
directly impacts the quality of classes and degree programs offered by the unit. On a larger scale, the
University’s ability to compete in the dynamic, increasingly competitive online education market is
greatly impacted by the incumbent’s ability to produce effective, high quality, and successful program
designs. The on-line education market is statewide, national, and international so the student’s
opportunity to learn may be impacted globally.
4. Describe the knowledge, skills (to include cognitive requirement and verbal and written
communication), and abilities (to include task complexity, problem solving, creativity and
innovation) essential to successful performance of this job (in bullet format).
Knowledge of:
 PeopleSoft (scheduling, running queries, etc.)
 Blackboard or other web-based learning management system
 HTML, including Dreamweaver
 Multimedia tools (i.e., Camtasia, Kaltura, etc.)
 Hardware systems and Internet browsers
 Online learning as a delivery method and the correlative needs of students when helping
faculty design classes
 Online pedagogy and best practices of online course design and delivery
 Universal accessibility for a variety of learning types
 Higher education environment
 Federal law as related to position, i.e., Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
Skills:
 Proficiency in use of a personal computer and current software applications including but not
limited to Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Access, Excel, PowerPoint, and email); Dreamweaver;
Blackboard or comparable learning management system
Position Description – Instructional Designer (365)
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Problem solving and troubleshooting with the learning management system
Organizational skills and performance of multiple tasks and projects to meet deadlines
Excellent verbal and written communication
Excellent interpersonal skills
Decision making and problem-solving skills
Excellent skills in English grammar and composition
Time and task management skills
Ability to:
 Work efficiently, amiably, and professionally with faculty and staff
 Provide customer support on the phone, online, and in person
 Help faculty design courses appropriate for a method of learning
 Work independently and as a collaborative team member
 Communicate project status and other information to team members
 Be current on technological advancements and new curriculum trends in the field of online
instruction
 Prioritize course development and meet deadlines
 Revise and apply current methodology in design and delivery of online course content
 Train faculty to teach and manage an online course
 Take initiative and use own judgment as needed
 Keep abreast of emerging instructional design theory and instructional technologies
 Work and interact with a diverse population
5. Describe the type of personal contacts encountered in performing the duties of the job.
Explain the nature and purpose of these contacts: i.e., to provide services, to resolve
problems, to negotiate.
Internal
Faculty/Instructors
Students
Colleagues on campus; i.e.,
Knowledge Center, Admissions
and Records, Cashiers, and
Student Services
365 Learning Design Team
TLT’s Instructional Design Team
External
Colleagues from other
institutions
Reason for Contact
To communicate with instructors regarding deadlines, content
questions, and other pertinent issues
To communicate with students regarding technical issues and
provide information and assistance for all academic programs
offered by 365 Learning
To coordinate course resources such as electronic reserves and
student services
To collaborate on class design ideas and/or student service issues
To discuss current trends in technology and best practices and to
keep abreast of any changes to WebCampus
Reason for Contact
To discuss current trends in technology, best practices, and online
pedagogy
6. Indicate the minimum qualifications which are necessary in filling this position should it
become vacant. Please keep in mind the duties/responsibilities of the position rather than the
qualifications of the incumbent.
a.
Minimum educational level, including appropriate field, if any.
Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
Position Description – Instructional Designer (365)
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b.
Minimum type and amount of work experience, in addition to the above required
education necessary for a person entering this position.
Bachelor’s Degree and two years, or a Master’s Degree and one year, of experience in
instructional design, instructional technology, or instructional support in a higher
education environment or corporate environment to include supporting and designing
with a learning management system
Preferred Licenses or Certifications: None
c.
Indicate any license or certificate required for this position.
None