Course Designer Jobs in Minneapolis, MN (NOW HIRING)

Position Overview

University of Minnesotas College of Education and Human Development, Office of Lifelong Learning & Credentialing is a dynamic, collaborative team that creates online professional development opportunities with department subject matter experts (SMEs) and faculty members inside the College of Education and Human Development, as well as clients both across and outside of the University. CEHD recently established the Office of Lifelong Learning & Credentialing to meet the growing interest and demand for continuing lifelong learning and credentialing for adult learners, alumni, and practitioners. This new initiative focuses on creating impactful, inclusive, and accessible training opportunities to meet the needs of the many MN workers and agencies.
The instructional designer coordinates with working groups across multiple units and departments within CEHD, ensuring we are building innovative, inclusive, and rigorous professional development learning opportunities within the University of Minnesotas learning management system, utilizing Canvas and Destiny One Registration System (DORS). This position serves as project lead for the projects they are assigned, and will provide support for non-credit courses and certificate programs being developed using adult learner and instructional design best practices; and assists with Destiny One Registration System (DORS) integration and registration. The Instructional Designer works with the OLLC Director and Project Manager to assist in formulating and defining project scope and objectives, research user needs, and partner with multiple stakeholders to move projects through the development stages to guide projects to launch and completion. This position will manage all alternative credentialing requests and creation, ensuring CEHD and University policies and procedures are followed.
A successful candidate for this position is familiar with online learning platforms/resources with the ability to utilize learning management systems for course design and creation, registration, and report tracking. This candidate has experience with leading projects and can coordinate projects with a proven track record of success, including examples of how they managed timelines and stakeholders; prioritize work and shared accountability for outcomes across multiple projects; thrive in an organization with a variety of stakeholders; and be motivated to develop and refine processes.
The University of Minnesota encourages a healthy work life balance for employees. CEHD is committed to an excellent employee experience, offering a flexible work environment that meets the needs of students, staff, faculty, and the communities we serve. Flexible work arrangements may include flexibility in schedule and/or work location. All UMN employees are expected to follow applicable public health and safety procedures.

Please note, this position is not eligible for H-1B or Green Card sponsorship. This position does not offer a STEM OPT training program.
Job Responsibilities

70% LMS Systems & Instructional Design, Non-credit

• Collaborate with College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) department/unit contacts in creating/designing new non-credit professional development, course content and course design.
• Maintain existing courses. Modify course information (including logistics, cohorts and content), document updates, and ensure trainers are aware of any changes
  • Create Canvas courses following adult learner best practices and ADA accessibility
  • Manage course documentation
  • Communicate with OLLC team on Canvas course template progress and documentation
  • Set goals and expectations for course delivery
  • Create and modify Canvas course templates for future course builds, utilizing branding elements for specific projects
• Assist with the Destiny One registration system for current and future course offerings
• Pull reports and analytics when needed across multiple Learning Management Systems
• Collaborate across teams by attending weekly meetings and provide updates to multiple working groups
• Manage new course requests for OLLC team, in collaboration with the Director team and project manager
• Work with SMEs in gathering all necessary information and content to create an online learning course
• Coordinate with Project manager in creating project timelines, set goals, and provide project updates on a biweekly basis

20% Manage CEHD Alternative Credentials

• Serve as primary contact for all CEHD alternative credential requests; such as CEUs, clock hour certificate, digital badges, and state licensing board requirements.
• Manage request for alternative credentials for the college
• Liason with the MN department of education in securing approved administrative level CEUs.
• Manage CEHD clock hour certificate approval process.

10% User Experience & Quality Assurance Lead

• Leads training and onboarding of LMS system with new OLLC staff and trainers
• Design learner-facing process documents, FAQ articles, and video tutorials following UX and accessibility standards
• Research, develop and implement new LMS processes with OLLC staff

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree; or combination of related education and experience as project coordinator and/or project management to equal 4 years.
• Demonstrated experience in working within learning management systems, such as Canvas, Storyline Articulate, and Parchment.
• A technical background and experience with user-centered design including accessibility; software user experience (project management, eLearning authoring, data quality for reporting, graphic design, multimedia development, operating systems, etc.).
• Experience in developing user facing documentation such as forms, videos, and guides.
• Familiar with Google office suite, shared folders, and documents.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree in education, social work, or family social science fields
• Experience at the University of Minnesota in any of the following systems/units: Curriculum Management, Canvas, Communications, or IT support.
• Experience managing projects from proposal through completion.
• Experience in a K-12 school setting, and/or human development setting.
• Understanding and ability to articulate project management phases, tools and techniques.
• Understanding of Agile Development methodologies and processes

ABOUT CEHD

About OLLC:

The Office of Lifelong Learning and Credentialing (OLLC) is a service unit within CEHD, housed under the Office of Graduate and Professional Education. OLLC provides oversight, guidance, and subject-matter expertise related to non-credit professional development, alternative credentialing, and lifelong learning systems and processes. OLLC ensures that all non-credit professional development and alternative credentialing requests are reviewed, approved, and implemented using consistent CEHD standards related to program design, credentialing rigor, course structure, and the overall look and feel of offerings.
Through this centralized approach, OLLC promotes equity, consistency, and transparency across CEHD by ensuring that all learners receive high-quality, CEHD-approved credentials regardless of the unit, department, or center delivering the program.
About the College:

The College of Education and Human Development (CEHD), the third largest college and the University, contributes to a just and sustainable future through engagement with the local and global communities to enhance human learning and development at all stages of the life span. We know diversity is necessary to do our best work and foster our humanity. Thats why the CEHD community is collectively dedicated to cultivating an inclusive and equitable environment, embracing and celebrating all identities of our students, staff, and faculty. These values are also a moral imperative requiring continuous proactive measures and a firm stance against prejudice, discrimination, and systemic injustice

Pay Range: $55,000 - $70,865; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Civil-Service & Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services 
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

Applications must be submitted online.  To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions.  You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Required Application Materials:

1. Resume
2. Cover Letter

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission.  The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.  To learn more about diversity at the U:  http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.