Temporary Instructional Designer

Overview

The Instructional Designer, Workforce Credentials is a production-focused role responsible for the end-to-end design, development, and delivery of high-quality instructional experiences for short-term, workforce-aligned trainings, certificates, and credentials. This position specializes in applied instructional design for adult learners and employer-responsive programs, with a strong emphasis on media-rich learning, modular design, and scalable production.

This role is 100 percent instructional design and production. It does not include faculty training, helpdesk support, or general instructional technology support. The Instructional Designer collaborates closely with faculty subject-matter experts, program leaders, and partners in the Center for Teaching, Learning and Design when appropriate, while maintaining clear ownership of instructional design and production.

This position reports to the Chief Strategy Officer for Academic Affairs and plays a critical role in advancing MSU Denver s workforce-aligned credential and short-term training portfolio.

The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in short-term workforce training design, advanced proficiency working in Canvas, mastery of modern instructional and media production tools, and hands-on experience producing polished, professional learning assets, including work in a media or green-screen environment.

• 70% Instructional Design and Production for Workforce Credentials
• Leads instructional design for short-term workforce trainings, micro-credentials, certificates, and other applied learning experiences
• Translates workforce- and employer-aligned learning outcomes into engaging, modular instructional designs optimized for adult learners
• Designs, builds, and maintains courses directly in Canvas, including modules, assessments, multimedia, and learner interactions
• Produces high-quality instructional media, including scripted video, demonstrations, simulations, and interactive content
• Utilizes professional media production workflows, including green-screen or studio environments, lighting, audio, and post-production editing
• Develops SCORM-compliant and LMS-integrated learning objects using modern authoring tools
• Applies accessibility, usability, and universal design principles, including ADA Section 508 compliance, throughout design and production
• Uses emerging technologies, including AI-enabled design and media tools, to accelerate production, enhance learning quality, and support scalable workforce credential development
• Iterates rapidly based on feedback, learner data, and program needs to support continuous improvement and responsiveness

• 20% Collaboration and Applied Design Partnership
• Collaborates with faculty subject-matter experts to translate content expertise into instructionally sound, learner-centered designs
• Works in partnership with the Center for Teaching, Learning and Design, which will support orientation to MSU Denver instructional standards, best practices, and core systems
• Coordinates with CTLD as needed for consultation, alignment, and access to shared instructional resources, including use of the CTLD green room and media production facilities
• Works with program managers and academic leaders to align instructional design with credential goals, timelines, and workforce outcomes
• Contributes instructional design expertise to credential planning conversations, including modality, pacing, assessment strategy, and learner experience

• 10% Tools, Innovation, and Quality
• Stays current on emerging instructional design practices, media technologies, and workforce learning trends
• Recommends and implements new tools, workflows, and design approaches to improve quality, efficiency, and scalability
• Develops and documents templates, design standards, and production workflows
• Other duties as assigned in support of workforce-aligned instructional design and production

• Bachelor s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Demonstrated experience in instructional design for short-term, workforce-focused, or adult learning programs
• Demonstrated ability to design, build, and manage courses in Canvas
• Strong…