Department of Human Resources
OPSEU Job Description
Job Title:
Job Number:
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Instructional Designer – Online Learning
A-220
4012
8
Trent Online
Dean of Arts & Social Sciences
Manager, Information Services, IT
Last Reviewed:
May 8, 2015
Job Purpose
The Instructional Designer – Online Learning will provide expert advice, collaborative technical
and pedagogical support to faculty and other subject matter experts regarding appropriate
teaching strategies, learning activities, assessment mechanisms and the integration of
appropriate learning technologies in the design and development of online degree credit
courses that support active student learning.
Key Activities
1. Provides consulting expertise to faculty members in the online course development
process, including: responding to requests from departments and faculty to pursue
online development, defining learning objectives and learning outcomes; identifying
appropriate teaching strategies and activities to meet a range of learning styles and
preferences; aligning instructional strategies to desired outcomes through authentic
assessment strategies, recommending appropriate educational technologies to achieve
desired outcomes; review new and existing online courses; recommend and make
improvements as determined.
2. Create professional, high-quality instructional multimedia for online course sites hosted
by the university’s learning management system, video/web streams, podcasts, and/or
other materials utilizing instructional technology tools, strategies, and resources.
3. Manages several concurrent course development projects, including establishing and
monitoring development timelines to ensure deadlines are met. Plans and organizes
projects with attention to detail, competing and conflicting demands, and multiple
stakeholder needs.
4. Develop and support online course design evaluation and review mechanisms.
Recommend and make course improvements as determined.
5. Translate ideas and suggestions into detailed plans from which instructional multimedia
applications, presentations, and/or other materials can be produced.
6. Convert printed materials, photographs, illustrations, audio and video files, including
Job Number: A-220
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7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
notes, quizzes, surveys, and other student assignment materials using various
multimedia software applications, development tools, and equipment.
Ensure all materials are in adherence with copyright regulations and AODA customer
service standards.
Provide advice and guidance to faculty on teaching strategies for the online
environment through individual mentoring and campus-wide workshops. Support
faculty in problem-solving for pedagogical and technical challenges for both new and
ongoing online courses.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with faculty, teaching assistants,
support staff and university administrators, as well as external partners.
Collaborate with staff in Centre for Teaching and Learning to provide individual support
and develop workshops and resources to assist faculty and teaching assistants in
development of course learning objectives and outcomes, assessment strategies, and
other instructional resources.
Stay current in pedagogical and educational technology advances through participation
in relevant communities of practice and other professional development.
Supports the Trent Online Co-ordinator in providing institutional leadership for the
strategic development and implementation of online learning for Trent University.
Supports the Trent Online Co-ordinator in developing and implementing infrastructure,
policy and processes required to support the centralized administration of a growing
online learning program
Other duties as required.
Analytical Reasoning
Indicate degree of complexity or difficulty of thinking and reasoning required by the job. Provide a
relevant work example that is typical of roles and responsibilities of the job (i.e. not an occasional duty).
Decision Making
Indicate the degree of freedom to exercise initiative or act independently in making day- to-day decisions.
Provide a relevant work example that is typical of roles and responsibilities of the job (i.e. not an
occasional duty).
Impact
Indicate the impact or consequence to the department or University of typical actions or decisions taken by
the job incumbent. Provide a relevant work example that is typical of roles and responsibilities of the job
(i.e. not an occasional duty).
Education
Master’s Degree in Distance Education, Instructional Design, Educational Technology or
Instructional Technology with a focus of study in Distance Education.
Experience Required

Two years of full-time work experience in the systematic design of online courses
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
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preferably in a post-secondary education environment. All applicants are required to
submit an electronic portfolio with samples of recent course development (i.e., the last
two years) with their application and those who are interviewed for the position will be
required to present a digital portfolio of online course development in the past two
years; this portfolio should address qualifications listed in points 3-11.
Two years of direct current experience creating a range of professional, high-quality
media for blended and online courses, preferably in an academic institution. This
experience includes: developing instructional materials using a range of media and
applications; creating multimedia applications, specifically digital imagery, video and
web design; using collaboration tools, web conferencing; creating video, audio, and
multimedia; experience with digital photography, videography, sound recording, and
sound editing. .
Advanced knowledge of educational/instructional technology, software; advanced
knowledge of learning theories and Instructional design methodologies; proficient in
multimedia/Web e-learning development using packages such as the Adobe eLearning
Suite (i.e., Captivate, Presenter, Dream Weaver), Premier or After Effects or another
video-editing suite; Proficient in creating and editing images in Adobe Photoshop,
Illustrator, and/or similar software packages
Knowledge of Instructional Design principles for distance learning including
development of instructional technologies, course materials, assessment techniques,
appropriate integration of learning technologies and best practices.
Demonstrated experience in the creation of learning materials in a variety of formats
including graphics, audio, video, animation and other multimedia to support teaching
and learning.
Knowledge of AODA regulations and compliance requirements in online environments
and assessment strategies.
Knowledge of current trends in the production and post-production of instructional
media technology
Excellent written and verbal communication, professional and interpersonal skills. Must
be able to work independently and as part of a team.
Strong organizational and self-management skills, including the ability to multi-task and
handle conflicting time pressures to meet schedules/timelines.
Responsibility for the Work of Others
Indicate whether the incumbent is directly or indirectly responsible for the work of others. Provide the title
of the position(s) as well as an example of how the incumbent is responsible for the work of others on a
daily basis. Specifically, indicate whether the position has responsibility for hiring and supervision of
student workers.
Direct Responsibility
N/A
Indirect Responsibility
N/A
Communication
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Indicate the title(s) of individuals internal and external to the University that the incumbent communicates
with on a regular basis. Provide a brief description of the purpose for communicating with these
individuals.
Internal
External
Motor/ Sensory Skills
Indicate the level of proficiency or precision in motor or sensory skills required by the job. Examples
include but are not limited to: small/large movement to operate machinery; coordinated movement;
equilibrium to maintain balance; dexterity to grasp, move, assemble objects or operate equipment;
hearing, sight, touch, smell, taste. Provide a brief description of tasks performed that require
motor/sensory skills.
Effort
Indicate the physical and/or mental demands of the position in the ordinary course of performing the role.
Examples include but are not limited to: lifting, moving, carrying, pushing/pulling, reaching, kneeling,
remaining motionless, sustained concentration or focus. Provide a brief description of the tasks
performed that are physically and/or mentally demanding.
Mental
Physical
Working Conditions
Indicate any physical and psychological conditions of the position that make the job unpleasant,
disagreeable and/or hazardous to health and well-being. Describe the nature, frequency and duration of
exposure.
Physical
Psychological
Job Description Approved by Human Resources (as per Article 17.1):
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Incumbent
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Job Number: A-220
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Immediate Supervisor:
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Department Head/ Dean:
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Job Number: A-220
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Last updated: May 2015