Remote Instructional Designer Jobs in California

Job Summary

* This position is 100% remote in-state (California). *

The Instructional Designer supports San Jose State University's commitment to increase online access to higher education for working adult learners, particularly focusing on providing students from historically underserved communities with opportunities to advance their education and obtain their degree. The Instructional Designer will support the effective use of current and emerging technologies to develop innovative and engaging e-learning environments as part of SJSU Online, a fully remote academic program that provides opportunity for students with some college credits to earn a bachelor's degree.

The Instructional Designer works to enhance the faculty's pedagogical understanding of technology in e-learning environments and serves as an advocate for institutionalizing e-learning within the culture and administration of the University. The incumbent will work in close collaboration with faculty, SJSU Online Colleagues, and other campus units to design and develop high quality online courses that reflect best practices.

Key Responsibilities

• Consult with faculty and staff to adapt existing courses and programs for online delivery and other forms of e-learning
• Design and develop online instructional materials that support academic courses/programs grounded in sound educational theory and best practices in instructional design
• Create instructional course content in collaboration and partnership with faculty, departments, SJSU Online Staff and other stakeholders
• Work with faculty to develop teaching and learning environments that emphasize active learning and incorporate appropriate instructional technologies
• Create and facilitate the creation of accessible instructional content
• Design, develop, and maintain course templates within the learning management system for different SJSU Online programs
• Leverage the learning management system and/or other instructional technologies to serve the educational and administrative community with resources in support of instruction
• Support e-learning by designing, developing, and implementing tools and resources for students
• Conduct online workshops and support online course events for faculty related to using different department-supported technologies

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Ability to communicate with constituents in a professional and respectful manner
• General awareness of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), and a willingness to develop skills in their appropriate, responsible, and ethical use in a higher education environment, consistent with institutional policies and practices
• Thorough knowledge in using learning management systems and other instructional technologies, as well as knowledge of software administration
• Ability to understand, analyze and diagnose faculty, staff, and student needs and translate these needs into instructional solutions
• Knowledge of best practices in quality assurance in online course design
• Proficiency and hands-on experience in web and mobile technologies
• Ability to enhance web-based courses with knowledge of best practices and e-learning principles
• Thorough knowledge and demonstrable skills in applying a variety of software applications and web-based authoring and publishing systems: e.g., Camtasia, Photoshop, HTML editors, Zoom, Microsoft Office
• In-depth knowledge of systems analysis and development, applications programming, and database analysis
• Ability to design and develop user-friendly interfaces that comply with accessibility as defined in Section 508
• Strong written and oral communication skills

Required Qualifications

• Equivalent to a bachelor's degree in a related field
• Two years of relevant experience. Additional experience which demonstrates acquired and successfully applied knowledge and abilities shown above may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis. An advanced degree in a related field may be substituted for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's Degree in a related field
• Experience in educational technology, instructional design, distributed learning, or an equivalent discipline
• Advanced technical knowledge of Learning Management Systems and specialized higher education software
• Strong working command of accessibility standards and HTML to support online course design
• Experience collaborating on multi-functional team-based projects
• Experience in partnering with Faculty/Subject Matter Experts in course development and design from start to finish
• Experience in preparing professional development programming and/or teaching workshops in higher education

Compensation

Classification: Instructional Designer/Technologist II
Anticipated Hiring Salary: $6,492/month (Step 1)
CSU Salary Range: $6,492/month - $9,458/month (Step 1 - Step 20)
San Jose State University offers employees a comprehensive benefits package typically worth 30-35% of your base salary. For more information on programs available, please see the Employee Benefits Summary.

Application Procedure

Click Apply Now to complete the SJSU Online Employment Application and attach the following documents:

• Resume
• Letter of Interest

All applicants must apply within the specified application period: July 7, 2026 through July 21, 2026. This position is open until filled; however, applications received after screening has begun will be considered at the discretion of the university.

Contact Information

University Personnel
jobs@sjsu.edu
408-924-2252

CSU Vaccination Policy

The CSU strongly recommends that all individuals who access any in-person program or activity (on- or off-campus) operated or controlled by the University follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications and comply with other safety measures established by each campus. The system wide policy can be found at https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/9779821/latest/ and questions may be sent to jobs@sjsu.edu.

Additional Information

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. SJSU will issue a contingent offer of employment to the selected candidate, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was offered the position on a contingent basis.
The standard background check includes: criminal check, employment and education verification. Depending on the position, a motor vehicle and/or credit check may be required. All background checks are conducted through the university's third party vendor, Accurate Background. Some positions may also require fingerprinting. SJSU will pay all costs associated with this procedure. Evidence of required degree(s) or certification(s) will be required at time of hire.
SJSU IS NOT A SPONSORING AGENCY FOR STAFF OR MANAGEMENT POSITIONS. (e.g. H1-B VISAS)
All San Jose State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. Incumbent is also required to promptly report any knowledge of a possible Title IX related incident to the Title IX Office or report any discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation to the Office of Equal Opportunity.

Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act and Campus Housing Fire Safety Notification: 

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the Annual Security Report (ASR) is also now available for viewing at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Security-Report.pdf. The ASR contains the current security and safety-related policy statements, emergency preparedness and evacuation information, crime prevention and Sexual Assault prevention information, and information about drug and alcohol prevention programming. The ASR also contains statistics of Clery crimes for San Jose State University locations for the three most recent calendar years. A paper copy of the ASR is available upon request by contacting the Office of the Clery Director by phone at 408-924-1501 or by email at clerycompliance@sjsu.edu.

Pursuant to the Higher Education Opportunity Act, the Annual Fire Safety Report (AFSR) is also available for viewing at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Fire-Safety-Report.pdf. The purpose of this report is to disclose statistics for fires that occurred within SJSU on-campus housing facilities for the three most recent calendar years, and to distribute fire safety policies and procedures intended to promote safety on Campus. A paper copy of the AFSR is available upon request by contacting the Housing Office by phone at 408-795-5600 or by email at uhs-frontdesk@sjsu.edu.

Campus Security Authority - In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) and CSU systemwide policy, this position is subject to ongoing review for designation as a Campus Security Authority. Individuals that are designated as Campus Security Authorities are required to immediately report Clery incidents to the institution and complete Clery Act training as determined by the university Clery Director.

Equal Employment Statement

San Jose State University is an equal opportunity employer. The university prohibits discrimination based on age, ancestry, caste, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military status, nationality, race, religion, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, sex stereotype, and veteran status. This policy applies to all San Jose State University students, faculty, and staff, as well as university programs and activities. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and certain other federal and state laws, prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in all education programs and activities operated by the university (both on and off campus). Reasonable accommodation is made for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose. San Jose State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.