Instructional Designer

Partners for Rural Impact’s (PRI) ultimate goal is for an America where all kids are successful, regardless of zip code, income, background, or ability.  At PRI, our focus is on ensuring that all children in rural places achieve success. Partners for Rural Impact was born out of our place-based partnership in Appalachia, where we’ve worked for 25 years to create student opportunity and success. 

  

Position Summary 

The Instructional Designer is a key, full-time, grant-funded position for Partners for Rural Impact. The Instructional Designer will report to the Associate Director, Talent Management and support the Talent Management and Development Team in the development, design, and continuous improvement of training content. The Instructional Designer provides curriculum and instructional support for the planning, implementation, and operation of organization wide training that supports the strategic plan and priorities and mission of the organization. The Instructional Designer will collaborate with teams across PRI to develop research-based instructional strategies and create innovative synchronous and asynchronous learning experiences for PRI staff. The position leads and operates with the goal that All Rural Students Succeed.   

Primary Duties and Responsibilities 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each primary duty satisfactorily. The requirements of the position are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required, with regular and predictable attendance essential. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

  

• Collaborate with stakeholders to evaluate learners' needs and contextual factors to identify learning requirements

• Serve as a facilitator or co-facilitator for staff training sessions

• Design, implement, and develop curricula, instructional programs, and online learning materials, including content and assessment tools

• Assist in identifying learning objectives for specific audiences and create engaging content for both synchronous and asynchronous instruction

• Apply research-based instructional design theories and methods to develop supporting materials and media (audio, video, simulations, etc.) and learning activities

• Develop criteria and instruments for assessing learner performance

• Use Learning Management Systems (e.g., Talent LMS) and instructional design software (e.g., Articulate360) to create hybrid learning methodologies

• Work with assigned teams to analyze data to assess learning retention and knowledge transfer

• Other roles/duties will be assigned as necessary to assist and support in the attainment of our mission, All Rural Students Succeed.

Position Location & Schedule 

  

The position will be considered for remote work with local, state, and sometimes national travel required. 

Normal business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET with in-office, hybrid and/or remote work a possibility. Because of the nature of the responsibility to schools, partners, funders, and to the service region, individual offices or departments may have operating hours that extend beyond this period and may include evening and/or weekend hours. 

Minimum Qualifications 

Education required to ensure success in this position: 

• Bachelor's degree in education, instructional design, educational technology, curriculum development, human resources, or applicable field

Experience required to ensure success in this position: 

• Three years of experience in instructional and curriculum design

• Experience using interactive experiential learning strategies and adult development/leadership strategies in culturally diverse settings, with an emphasis on professional/leadership development

• Demonstrated experience in developing interactive, engaging, and innovative experiential learning strategies

• Experience understanding and applying organization standards for instructional design

• Experience working collaboratively within internal environments

• Proven experience with training facilitation and design focused on improving individual and team performance

• Demonstrated success in a complex, fast-paced, high-performing organization, with the ability to prioritize projects, work cross-functionally and collaboratively

• Demonstrated experience and commitment to working in and with rural communities

• Proven detail-oriented project management skills with experience meeting deadlines

Special skills, knowledge and abilities: 

• Demonstrated knowledge of instructional theory, including assessment

• Demonstrated interest and knowledge of adult learning theories

• Proficiency in learning management systems (LMS)

• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills

• Demonstrated ability and cultural competence to work on a national scale

• Capacity to multi-task and achieve deadlines

• Exceptional oral and written communication skills

• A commitment to students from diverse economic, social, and cultural backgrounds

• Computer skills: Microsoft Office, Adobe, Instructional Design Software

License, certification, or registration necessary: 

• Valid driver’s license

• Ability to successfully complete pre-employment background check

Physical requirements: 

• Ability to work in a high energy office

• Ability to accurately communicate and exchange information with partners, stakeholders, and/or meeting participants

• Ability to occasionally lift up to 25 lbs

• Ability to travel independently by car and plane regionally and nationally

• Ability to operate standard office equipment

• Ability to operate motor vehicle

Environmental conditions: 

• Work in a fast-paced setting with frequent interruptions and shifting priorities

Additional Company Information  

PRI offers a wide array of benefit options, to meet the financial, educational, and health needs of you and your family. 

• Comprehensive insurance plans including medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage.

• Flexible spending accounts, plus an employee assistance program.

• Life and long-term disability insurance and retirement plan.

• Generous paid time off work options including vacation, sick leave, and annual holidays, in addition to paid parental leave.

• Tuition assistance and professional development for employees.

Partners for Rural Impact is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits and hires qualified candidates without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, or veteran status.