Curriculum Design Specialist

Dynamis, Inc.; Virginia (MN); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Dynamis, Inc. is seeking an experienced Curriculum Design Specialist to lead the creation and continuous improvement of a competency-based training program for the U.S. Marshals Service.

You will partner with government stakeholders and SMEs to define core competencies, measurable outcomes, and learning pathways across classroom and virtual environments. The role applies ADDIE and adult learning principles to design learner-centered curricula, evaluate effectiveness using Kirkpatrick-based

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in education, Adult Education, Curriculum and Instruction, Instructional Design, or related field; substitute with 10 years of related experience.
• Minimum of five (5) years in curriculum design and development using formal instructional design methodologies (ADDIE).
• Five (5) years of experience developing curriculum and instructional materials for classroom and virtual instructor-led training.
• Experience conducting training needs assessments, developing measurable learning objectives, and designing competency-based curricula.
• Knowledge of adult learning principles and evidence-based instructional design practices.
• Ability to collaborate with Government stakeholders, SMEs, and cross-functional teams to develop instructional content.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; capable of producing learner-centered materials.

Responsibilities

• Conduct organizational training needs assessments to identify learning requirements and gaps.
• Design comprehensive, role-based curricula, learning pathways, and frameworks aligned with USMS objectives.
• Partner with government stakeholders and SMEs to define core competencies and measurable outcomes.
• Apply ADDIE to guide curriculum planning, development, implementation, evaluation, and improvement.
• Integrate adult learning principles and evidence-based practices into curriculum strategies.
• Create curricula with measurable outcomes and evaluation strategies using Kirkpatrick principles.
• Research emerging learning technologies to enhance program effectiveness.
• Evaluate instructional technologies for classroom, virtual, blended, and self-paced learning.
• Analyze learner feedback and performance metrics to drive improvements.
• Prepare and govern curriculum documentation and learning standards.
• Design train-the-trainer resources for government instructors.

Skills

ADDIE framework

Curriculum design

Instructional design

Adult learning principles

Stakeholder collaboration

Written communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Education or related field

Ten years of directly related experience substituted for degree

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

LMS

Learning technologies

Job description

Dynamis is seeking an experienced Curriculum Design Specialist to support the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) Asset Forfeiture Division (AFD) in designing, implementing, and continuously improving a comprehensive, competency-based training program that supports the mission of the Department of Justice (DOJ).

The Curriculum Design Specialist serves as the strategic architect of the learning program, partnering with government stakeholders and subject matter experts to assess organizational training needs, identify competency gaps, develop role-based curricula, and establish measurable learning objectives. This position applies industry-recognized instructional design methodologies—including the Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation (ADDIE) framework—to create learner-centered, performance-based training solutions that support operational excellence. The Curriculum Design Specialist collaborates closely with training instructors, course administrators, and training evaluation personnel to ensure curricula align with organizational goals and support continuous improvement informed by learner feedback, performance metrics, and Kirkpatrick-based program evaluation.

The successful candidate is an innovative learning professional with experience designing enterprise learning programs, integrating emerging instructional technologies, and using learner performance data to continuously enhance curriculum effectiveness and organizational performance.

Location: U.S. Marshals Service Headquarters – Arlington, VA
This position is based in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Hybrid or telework arrangements may be authorized based on contract requirements and Government approval. Occasional on-site attendance is required to support meetings, curriculum planning sessions, and training initiatives.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct organizational training needs assessments to identify learning requirements, competency gaps, and opportunities for workforce development.
• Design comprehensive, role-based curricula, learning pathways, and curriculum frameworks aligned with the USMS mission objectives and workforce roles.
• Partner with government stakeholders and subject matter experts to define core competencies and develop measurable learning outcomes.
• Apply the ADDIE instructional design methodology to guide curriculum planning, development, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement.
• Integrate adult learning principles and evidence-based instructional design practices into curriculum strategies.
• Design curricula with measurable learning outcomes and performance-based evaluation strategies using Kirpatrick Evaluation Model.
• Research emerging learning technologies, instructional trends, and innovative training strategies to enhance program effectiveness.
• Evaluate and recommend instructional technologies that support classroom, virtual, blended, and self-paced learning environments.
• Analyze learner feedback, assessment results, and performance metrics to identify curriculum improvements and support continuous program enhancement.
• Prepare, maintain, and govern curriculum documentation, learning standards, and supporting design artifacts.
• Design train-the-trainer frameworks and facilitator resources that enable government instructors and subject matter experts to successfully deliver course content.
• Participate in weekly project meetings, providing recommendations, risk mitigation strategies, and curriculum planning support.

Requirements:

• U.S. Citizenship required
• Bachelor’s degree in education, Adult Education, Curriculum and Instruction, Instructional Design, or a related field. In lieu of a bachelor’s degree, ten (10) years of directly related professional experience may be substituted.
• Minimum of five (5) years of professional experience in curriculum design and development using formal, instructional design methodologies, including the Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation (ADDIE) framework.
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience developing curriculum and instructional materials for classroom and virtual instructor-led training.
• Experience conducting training needs assessments, developing measurable learning objectives, and designing competency-based curricula.
• Knowledge of adult learning principles and evidence-based instructional design practices.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with Government stakeholders, subject matter experts (SMEs), and/or cross-functional teams to develop and refine instructional content.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce clear, organized, and learner-centered instructional materials.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and other tools used to develop instructional products.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Moderate Risk Background Investigation (MBI).

Preferred:

• Master’s degree in Education, Adult Education, Curriculum and Instruction, Instructional Design, Organizational Development, or a related field.
• Experience supporting government training programs, particularly within the Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), or other law enforcement organizations.
• Experience designing curricula for technical, regulatory, compliance, or law enforcement training programs.
• Familiarity with Learning Management Systems (LMS) and virtual learning technologies.
• Familiarity with training evaluation methodologies, including the Kirkpatrick Model, and using evaluation results to support continuous curriculum improvement.
• Related professional certifications in instructional design, curriculum development, or adult education, learning technologies, or talent development.

Salary range: $80,000-100,000

The salary range for this position represents the anticipated hiring range. Actual compensation will be determined based on factors such as relevant experience, skills, education, certifications, and potential contract funding.