Academic Quality Specialist

Palmer Theological Seminary of Eastern University; Pennsylvania; On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Palmer Theological Seminary of Eastern University in Pennsylvania seeks an Academic Quality Specialist to support online programs at undergraduate and graduate levels. The role emphasizes collaboration with faculty and staff and extensive work in the Learning Management System.

You will assist with course management and development, coordinate textbook adoptions, help with technical issues, and review data to identify improvements while ensuring FERPA compliance and alignment with accreditation

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree or equivalent work experience.
• Master’s degree preferred in education technology, instructional design, or a closely related field.
• Experience with online course or curriculum development (K-12 or Higher Ed).
• Knowledge of and experience working with Brightspace or similar LMS.
• Strong written and oral communications skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and adapt to change.

Responsibilities

• Assist with copying and updating online courses in CEBS prior to each term.
• Assist with updating online courses based on technical, programmatic, accreditation, and/or student needs.
• Coordinate textbook adoptions and updates for the college by working with the MAQ, program directors, and bookstore staff each term.
• Assist students and faculty with technical issues in active courses by coordinating with faculty, CTLT, ed tech vendors, and other stakeholders as directed by the MAQ.
• Gather and review data from online courses to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Review instructor interaction and presence in active courses as directed by the MAQ.
• Assist with development and build-out of new courses in the LMS through clear communication and extensive work in the LMS.
• Assist with incorporating educational technology tools into courses to support student learning and engagement.
• Assist with video editing as needed.
• Review content submitted by SME for quality and compliance with university, college, and accreditation standards.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Organizational skills

Collaboration

Adaptability

Conflict resolution

Decision making

Discretion

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Brightspace

Job description

Reporting to the Manager of Academic Quality (MAQ) in the College of Education and Behavioral Studies (CEBS), the Academic Quality Specialist (AQS) assists with a variety of tasks related to the maintenance, creation, and management of online programs at the undergraduate and graduate level. This is accomplished primarily through regular and effective communication with faculty and staff and extensive work in the Learning Management System (LMS).

Course Management Support

• Assists the MAQ with copying and updating online courses in CEBS in advance of each term.
• Assists the MAQ with updating online courses based on technical, programmatic, accreditation, and/or student needs.
• Coordinates textbook adoptions and updates for the college by working closely with the MAQ, program directors, and bookstore staff each term.
• Assists students and faculty with technical issues in active courses by coordinating with faculty, staff in the Center for Teaching, Learning, and Technology (CTLT), ed tech vendors, and other stakeholders as directed by the MAQ.
• Assists the MAQ with gathering and reviewing data from online courses to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Reviews instructor interaction, consistency, and presence in active courses as directed by the MAQ.

Course Development Support

• Assists the MAQ, staff from CTLT, and subject matter experts (SME) with development and build-out of new courses in the LMS through clear and timely communication and extensive work in the LMS.
• Assists with incorporating educational technology tools into courses to support student learning and engagement.
• Assists with video editing as needed.
• As directed by the MAQ, reviews content submitted by SME for quality and compliance with university, college, and accreditation standards.

Additional Responsibilities

• Assists with special projects that support the development and growth of CEBS.
• Stays current on instructional technologies and best practices related to online teaching and learning, including Eastern University's policies and tools, specifically as they relate to LifeFlex.
• Maintains confidentiality and follows FERPA regulations and University policies.
• Meets professional obligations through efficient work habits, timely completion of assignments, and effective coordination of resources and meetings.
• Prioritizes tasks and manages time effectively to meet established deadlines.
• Treats members of the campus community with fairness, dignity, and respect while contributing to a spirit of unity, collaboration, and shared commitment to the University's mission.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education

• Undergraduate degree or equivalent work experience required
• Master’s degree or higher in education technology, instructional design, or a closely related field is preferred

Key attributes

• Ability to thrive in work settings characterized by ambiguity, a fast pace, and rapid change
• A predisposition for continuous learning
• A start-up mindset and bias towards action
• Ability to interact effectively with diverse persons and personalities
• Ability to resolve conflict
• Capacity to exercise independent judgment and make sound decisions
• Ability to handle to confidential information appropriately
• Strong interpersonal, communication, organizational, and collaboration skills.
• Embodies the University's values of caring and compassion, justice and integrity, competence and affirmation.

Experience And Skills

• Prior experience with online course or curriculum development (K-12 or Higher Ed)
• Knowledge of and experience working with a wide variety of educational technologies/tools, including Brightspace
• Prior experience in operations and/or project management highly preferred
• A record of positive influence as a team member, leader, and/or coordinator in work and/or volunteer settings
• Demonstrated analytical reasoning and creative problem-solving abilities
• Strong organizational skills as a systems thinker
• Excellent written and oral communications skills
• Working knowledge of web- and classroom-based learning technologies
• Proficiency with word processing, spreadsheet, and database tools