Instructional Designer

Polk State Learning Technology; Lakeland (FL); On-site; USD 48,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

Retirement benefits

College fee waivers

Job summary

Polk State College in Lakeland seeks an Instructional Designer to plan, design, and facilitate instructional design practices across course modalities. The role analyzes curriculum, develops multimedia, and maintains course shells to ensure consistency and engagement.

The position requires a Bachelor's degree with instructional design focus; a Master’s degree is preferred, and at least three years of related experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with instructional design focus.
• Graduate certificate in instructional design preferred.
• Master’s degree in instructional design or related field within first year of employment.

Responsibilities

• Plan and facilitate quality course design with faculty.
• Navigate the LMS as administrator to support design and development.
• Design and supervise multimedia resources to support curriculum offerings.
• Coordinate creation of template course shells for high enrollment courses.
• Identify opportunities for institutional growth based on course design.

Skills

Quality Matters

Peer Reviewer

Multimedia production

Learning Management System

Instructional design

Customer service

Written and oral communication

Troubleshooting

Training leadership

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Instructional Design field

Graduate certificate in Instructional Design field

Master’s degree in Instructional Design or related field

Tools

Canvas LMS

Learning Management System

Job description

Instructional Designer

Salary: $47,936.47 - $60,465.46 Annually

Location: Lakeland

Job Type: Full-Time

Job Number: 202600209

Organization: Learning Technology

Opening Date: 09/11/2026

Closing Date: 9/25/2026 8:00 AM Eastern

Description

This position reports to the Director, Learning Technology and is responsible for planning, training, designing, and facilitating activities associated with the implementation of sound instructional design practices to promote student success across all course modalities. Work requires analysis of curriculum and instructional methodologies and course design quality. Also responsible for multimedia development, support, implementation, and maintenance of course shells to enhance consistency and promote student engagement. Requires research and planning that will influence decisions and directions regarding instructional design implementation processes.

Essential Functions/Duties

• Work with individual faculty members and with discipline-specific groups to facilitate quality course design based on the delivery of instruction.
• Navigate the Learning Management System as an administrator, with knowledge enough to facilitate quality instructional design and development.
• Knowledge of instructional design processes, curriculum development, computer-based training; course development and instructions; current technologies; instructional technologies to bridge the gap between what the students are receiving now and what they did receive when they were on campus.
• Plan and host workshops for faculty centered around the improvement of the course design that addresses the deficit in the quality of instruction that students previously received before March 13, 2020, and implementing appropriate technologies.
• Identify and communicate opportunities for institutional growth based on course design and measures for improvement.
• Coordinate the creation of template course shells, developed in partnership with faculty content experts, to be utilized by the college for high enrollment front-door courses, to increase consistency and persistence among distance learning students.
• Review and identify cases where there may be a deficit in course design, delivery, or active instruction providing recommendations and/or refer those cases appropriately for improvement.
• Design and supervise production of learning multimedia resources in various formats including print, graphics, audio, video, and animation technologies to support curriculum offerings.
• Maintain regular attendance, essential functions can be done remotely.

Typical Qualifications

Required Skills

• Knowledge of Quality Matters components for evaluating instructional design preferred.
• Certified Peer Reviewer with Quality Matters preferred.
• Experience in multimedia production preferred.
• Knowledge of fundamentals of Learning Management System, Canvas preferred.
• Knowledge of techniques and principals involved in utilizing technology to enhance instruction.
• Strong commitment to customer service with excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Technical troubleshooting skills, analytical reasoning and determining problems involving browser-based applications.
• Ability to prioritize duties when faced with interruptions and a fluctuating workload.
• Committed to use of technology regularly for improving workflows to enhance engagement.
• Provides oversight for policy and procedure development; serves as liaison on college committees to ensure best practice in instructional design is maintained.
• Ability to lead technology training and serve in a mentor capacity with professional peers.
• Ability to use computers and related software and peripherals, including multimedia, at an elevated level of competence, to enhance teaching and learning.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with a diverse group of individuals at all organizational levels.

Working Conditions/Additional Information

• Normal office working conditions, with the ability to work remotely when needed.

Salary and Benefits Information

• This position is level P14.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage; short-term disability; paid holidays and sick leave; vacation (excluding faculty positions); retirement benefits for eligible employees; and college fee waivers.

Required Education:

• Graduation from a regionally accredited college or university with a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree and a graduate certificate in an Instructional Design related field.
• Applicants who will complete a Master’s degree in Instructional Design, or a related field, within the first year of employment will also be considered.
• At least three (3) years of related experience with instructional design, multimedia creation or other areas is required.
• Experience in higher education preferred.

Preferred Experience:

• Experience in higher education preferred.

Supplemental Information

• a resume
• an electronic job application (all sections MUST be completed)

Important Information

• If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended, or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement.
• Polk State College participates in E-Verify. Candidates must provide documentation of eligibility to work in the United States. Polk State College does not provide visa sponsorship.
• To request Veteran’s Preference, please be sure to upload all necessary documents (DD-214, etc.) to your application.
• Polk State College is a drug-free workplace.
• Polk State College is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to applicants and employees with disabilities. Reasonable accommodation is considered on a case‑by‑case basis.
• Employment visa sponsorship is unavailable for this position. Applicants requiring employment visa sponsorship now or in the future (e.g., F-1 STEM OPT, H-1B, TN, J1, etc.) will not be considered.
• Reference checks, successful completion of a background check, and third‑party Education Verification for all stated degrees will be required prior to employment.
• Polk State College does NOT provide relocation assistance for this position.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Polk State College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs, activities, or employment. For information about the College’s equal access and equal opportunity policies and procedures, or to file a complaint, please contact:

Title IX Coordinator

3425 Winter Lake Road

Lakeland, FL 33803

863.669.2903

[e-mail]

For additional information, visit polk.edu/compliance

We encourage applicants to provide feedback on their experience or request help at [e-mail].

Employer

Polk State College

Address

999 Avenue H NE

Winter Haven, Florida, 33881

Phone

863.298.6841

Website

www.polk.edu