Learning Designer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)
UC Santa Cruz jobs are posted until filled. All application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring team for consideration. NOTE: Applicants who miss the IRD are still encouraged to apply; their materials will still be forwarded for consideration if requested by the hiring team. Application materials cannot be accepted outside of the jobs portal. Applications cannot be edited on an applicant's behalf. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, view this link .
The IRD for this job is: 05-20-2026
ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ
UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.
DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW
Created to both honor and renew the university's longstanding tradition of outstanding teaching and bold educational experimentation, the Teaching & Learning Center (TLC) serves all members of the UCSC teaching community. The TLC uses research and equity-minded practices to strengthen the culture of teaching, promote student success and equitable outcomes, and support teacher-leaders at UC Santa Cruz, a thriving minority-serving research institution. We collaborate with campus educators and other partners to inspire the exploration of innovative and accessible teaching practices and technologies that advance equity, foster deep learning, and increase student engagement.
More information can be found at: https://tlc.ucsc.edu
JOB SUMMARY
Reporting to the Director for Instructional Design and Media Production and working collaboratively with colleagues in the Teaching & Learning Center (TLC), this Instructional Designer position partners with instructors to design equity-minded instructional content for online, hybrid, and in-person learning environments. This position applies research-based best practices for teaching and learning through partnerships with instructors, helps to shape course and curricular content, and collaborates in creating interactive media content, building content modules in various learning systems and platforms, and using a variety of educational technologies to support course and program learning outcomes. In the context of supporting the design of courses, this position also utilizes knowledge of university policy to support instructors with the Academic Senate's course approval process. Additionally, this position partners with TLC colleagues in the design and development of professional development opportunities and educational resources offered by the teaching center on a range of topics spanning from emerging technologies to the use of active learning classrooms. This position drafts and authors teaching center resources and guides to support the instruction of a diverse student body, and it occasionally engages in research on the educational efficacy of instructional approaches. As this position collaborates directly with instructors on instructional practices, a high degree of diplomacy and confidentiality is required.
APPOINTMENT INFORMATION
Budgeted Salary: $85,550 - $99,500/Annually. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.
Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.
Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits
Schedule Information:

• Full-time, Fixed
• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week: Mon-Fri
• Shift Includes: Day

Employee Classification: Career appointment
Job End Date: None
Work Location: UC Santa Cruz Main Campus
Union Representation: Non-Represented
Job Code Classification: INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGNER 3 (006148), Grade 21
Travel: Never or Rarely
JOB DUTIES
60% - Instructional Design

• Through consultation, team, and individual work, applies professional instructional design skills and equity-minded approaches to teaching and learning.
• Designs courses and course elements that are aligned with course and program learning outcomes.
• Evaluates, recommends, and trains instructors and teaching assistants on the use of educational technologies.
• Supports faculty and staff in the creation of multimedia content, including interactive learning activities, video, or audio components, and oversees the production of course content according to an established schedule.
• Monitors course progress during instructional term and resolves issues with instructors and teaching assistants.
• Delegates multimedia development and technical tasks to instructional technologists and undergraduate student employees.
• Provides just-in-time pedagogical support to instructors, including referrals to colleagues in the TLC and other campus offices.

15% - Course Approval and Authoring

• Supports instructors with the preparation of course approval documents including supplemental questions, senate-required documentation, determination of modality, and the authoring of courses in the Learning Management System.

10% - Collaboration and Programs

• In collaboration with TLC and partners, designs and develops professional development programs for instructors on evidence-based teaching practices for all course modalities.
• Coordinates, co-facilitates, and assesses programming and professional development.
• Maintains strong working relationships with instructors through programming informed by research on higher education teaching and learning, as well as campus and UC goals.

10% - Research-Based Resource Development

• Researches, translates, and disseminates instructional resources to instructors in a variety of disciplinary and interdisciplinary contexts.
• Highlights pedagogical methods appropriate to a diverse student body.
• Researches and shares evidence-based teaching and mentoring methods and strategies.
• Researches, writes, and edits digital and print resource materials such as handouts, resource sheets, and website content. Occasionally engages in research on the educational efficacy of course modalities by studying student outcomes and engaging in quantitative and qualitative analyses.

5% - Working Groups

• Participates in university-wide, UC-wide, and external efforts to enhance teaching and learning. This includes serving as a teaching center liaison to campus partners, contributing to UC-wide projects through involvement in the UC Teaching & Learning Center Network, and participating in national discussions through involvement in professional networks centered on teaching and learning in higher education.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience and/or training.
• Thorough knowledge of functional area and understands how work within one course may impact work being done on other courses or in other areas.
• Thorough analytical skills to conduct analysis and develop recommendations, demonstrating organization and problem-solving skills.
• Strong analytical, verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills and strong collaboration and negotiation skills.
• Thorough knowledge of organization policies and procedures, including policies that impact online course development.
• Thorough 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.
• Thorough knowledge of the technical tools and platforms required to achieve the delivery of engaging and media-rich online learning content, and of trends in the use and effectiveness of educational technology and learning.
• Thorough knowledge and skills with relevant business software systems.
• Thorough knowledge of applying adult learning theories and educational methodologies.
• Thorough knowledge of e-learning strategies including but not limited to courses (e.g., processes and technologies, etc.).
• Advanced level skills in application of planning, resourcing and monitoring of effective design life cycles of training and other learning and performance solutions to support the organization.
• Knowledge to conduct appropriate job and task analyses in the context of instructional design of technical or specialized training.
• Ability to work both independently and as a member of a team.
• Ability to effectively manage priorities, and work within set timeframes (quarters or sessions) to complete and publish courses.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Successful completion of a rigorous course of instruction resulting in a Master's degree or higher from an accredited institution, related to the field of Instructional Design.
• Experience as an instructor of record at the postsecondary level.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
• Selected candidate must pass the employment misconduct disclosure process.
• Ability to work long periods of time at a computer with or without accommodation.
• The selected candidate has the option to work a hybrid work schedule. If a hybrid work schedule is confirmed, the selected candidate must be able to work successfully from a home/remote office and be able to fulfill the requirements of the UCSC telecommuting agreement.
• Ability to work a variable schedule.
• Ability to work a variable schedule including evenings and weekends.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends as directed.
• Ability to maintain appearance and conduct suitable for working in a professional setting.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• The University of California has implemented a Vaccination Policy covering all employees. Employees, including new hires, are required to comply with any applicable policies relating to the University of California vaccine program.
• Per the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), this position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter. The selected candidate will be required to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect as defined by CANRA and will be required to sign a Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse prior to commencing employment. CANRA Penal Codes, and related definitions, requirements, and responsibilities may be obtained here .
• Exercise the utmost discretion in managing sensitive information learned in the course of performing their duties. Sensitive information includes but is not limited to employee and student records, health and patient records, financial data, strategic plans, proprietary information and any other sensitive or non-public information learned during the course and scope of employment. Understands that sensitive information should be shared on a limited basis and actively takes steps to limit access to sensitive information to individuals who have legitimate business need to know. Ensure that sensitive information is properly safeguarded. Follow all organizational policies and laws on data protection and privacy. This includes secure handling of physical and digital records and proper usage of IT systems to prevent data leaks. The unauthorized or improper disclosure of confidential work-related information obtained from any source on any work-related matter is a violation of these expectations.

MISCONDUCT DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT
As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:
  • UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
  • UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
  • Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

SAFETY STATEMENT
All UCSC employees must understand and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and s...