Instructional Designer

Colorado Community College System (CCCS); Lakewood (CO); On-site; USD 60,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

Red Rocks Community College in Lakewood, CO is seeking an Instructional Designer to support the Innovations in CTE Grant and advance competency-based education in Electrical/Industrial Controls, Mechatronics, and Welding. You will translate industry-aligned competencies into engaging learning experiences, assessments, instructional resources, and opportunities for students to demonstrate mastery.

The Instructional Designer will support faculty in applying Competency-Based Education Network

Qualifications

• Knowledge of instructional design, curriculum development, assessment design, and competency‑based education principles.
• Ability to translate competencies into clear learning experiences and assessments in collaboration with faculty.
• Strong project management, organization, communication, and facilitation skills.

Responsibilities

• Translate industry-aligned competencies into engaging learning experiences, authentic assessments, and learning resources.
• Support faculty in applying C‑BEN frameworks and curriculum alignment.
• Facilitate curriculum mapping and alignment across courses and programs.
• Develop sustainable processes and resources adaptable across the College.
• Coach and support competency-based curriculum implementation in classroom, lab, and hands‑on settings.

Skills

Instructional design

Curriculum development

Competency-based education

Project management

Collaboration

Assessment design

Tools

Brightspace

Job description

Title: Instructional Designer

Position Type: APT Grant Based Position

College: Red Rocks Community College

Division: Academic Affairs

Department: RRCC Construction, Electrical, HVAC, Skilled Trades

Campus: RRCC Lakewood Campus

Location: Lakewood

Salary: $60,417 to $66,458 annually

Who We Are

Red Rocks Community College exemplifies extraordinary. We are dedicated to our Vision and Mission, which promote student achievement, staff empowerment, and community engagement. We live our values: Learning, Collaboration, Community, Belonging, and Empowerment.

RRCC seeks applicants who understand and have first-hand experience working with diverse populations, which may include but are not limited to, historically marginalized populations such as people of color, LGBTQ+ community members, veterans, first generation graduates, and people with disabilities.

Job Summary

Red Rocks Community College’s Skilled Trades Department is seeking a collaborative and innovative Instructional Designer to support the Innovations in CTE Grant and advance competency-based education (CBE) and skills-first curriculum in Electrical/Industrial Controls, Mechatronics, and Welding. Working closely with faculty subject matter experts, instructional staff, project partners, and the Director of Skilled Trades, this position will translate industry-aligned competencies into engaging learning experiences, authentic assessments, instructional resources, and opportunities for students to demonstrate mastery.

The Instructional Designer will support faculty in applying Competency-Based Education Network (C-BEN) frameworks, facilitate curriculum mapping and alignment across courses and programs, and develop sustainable processes and resources that can be adapted across the College. The position will also provide coaching and support as competency-based curriculum is implemented in classroom, laboratory, and hands‑on learning environments, while promoting alignment with workforce and industry expectations.

The top 3 Characteristics a candidate would possess are as follows:

• Collaborative and Relationship‑Focused: Builds strong, respectful partnerships with faculty, subject matter experts, instructional staff, and industry and project partners to achieve shared goals.
• Innovative and Learning‑Focused: Applies instructional design and competency-based education principles to create engaging, practical, and industry‑aligned learning experiences that support student success.
• Organized and Adaptable: Effectively manages multiple priorities, facilitates curriculum development, communicates clearly, and adapts to evolving project needs and timelines.

This is a full‑time, FLSA‑exempt position funded through grant support. The compensation for this position is $60,417 - $66,458 annually. This is a one year grant funded position. The current funding cycle concludes at the end of each fiscal year, which runs from July 1 through June 30. Continued employment is contingent upon the renewal of grant funding. This position is exempt from the State Classified System.

Competencies/KSAs

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of instructional design, curriculum development, assessment design, and competency‑based education principles.
• Ability to collaborate with faculty and subject matter experts translate technical content and identified competencies into clear learning experiences and assessments.
• Ability to align competencies, instruction, learning activities, assessments, and evidence of mastery.
• Knowledge of authentic and performance‑based assessment practices, including development of rubrics and assessment tools.
• Strong project management, organization, communication, and facilitation skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with faculty, secondary education partners, employers, project leadership, and other stakeholders.
• Ability to work effectively with Career and Technical Education programs that include classroom, laboratory, and hands‑on instruction.

Required Qualifications

• Professional experience in instructional design, curriculum development, faculty development, teaching and learning, or a closely related area.
• Experience collaborating with faculty, instructors, or subject matter experts to develop curriculum or instructional materials.

Physical & Cognitive Demands

• Occasionally moves, positions, and transports files and office materials weighing up to 10 lbs.
• This is largely a sedentary role. This position operates in an office environment and constantly uses a computer, and routinely uses standard office equipment including phones, copiers, etc.
• The person in this position constantly communicates with internal and external constituents and students. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
• Cognitive demands include comparing, copying, computing, compiling, analyzing, coordinating, synthesizing, negotiating, communicating, instructing, and interpersonal skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in instructional design, curriculum and instruction, education, educational technology, adult learning, or a related field.
• Experience developing competency-based education, mastery-based learning, competency mapping, or program‑level curriculum.
• Experience developing Career and Technical Education, workforce education, technical education, or laboratory-based curriculum and assessments.
• Experience working in higher education and/or collaborating with industry partners to align curriculum with workforce competencies.
• Experience with Quality Matters or a similar online course quality assurance framework.
• Experience developing online courses or course components in Brightspace by D2L or similar LMS systems.
• Demonstrated knowledge of WCAG 2.1 Level AA accessibility standards and principles of Universal Design.

Selection Process

Candidates will be evaluated based on their qualifications as related to the duties and responsibilities of the position. Candidates may redact any personally identifiable information on their materials including but are not limited to age, date of birth, and dates of attendance and date of graduation for educational institutions. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Starting Salary

Compensation for this position is $60,417 - $66,458 annually, commensurate with education and experience. This is a full‑time, FLSA‑exempt position funded through grant support. This is a one year grant funded position. The current funding cycle concludes at the end of each fiscal year, which runs from July 1 through June 30. Continued employment is contingent upon the renewal of grant funding. This position is exempt from the State Classified System

If you have questions regarding this position, please contact Chris Madsen, Director of Skilled Trades at [e-mail].

For questions regarding full‑time, part‑time, or student employment opportunities at Red Rocks Community College, please contact Angelee Cornejo, Talent Acquisition Partner at [e-mail].

Reasonable Accommodation Statement

Red Rocks Community College provides reasonable accommodation to applicants and employees with disabilities on a case‑by‑case basis. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process and/or during the course of employment, please contact Jennifer Matthews, Vice President of Human Resources, at [phone], [e-mail], or Room 1024, 13300 W. 6th Ave. Lakewood, CO 80228.

Benefits

At RRCC, we value and uphold a commitment to a workplace that focuses on employees. In addition to rewarding and meaningful work, we offer a comprehensive selection of benefits to support our employees, including:

• Strong, flexible retirement benefits including Colorado PERA’s Defined Benefit Plan or Defined Contribution Plan. RRCC contributes 21.61% of your salary on your behalf. Supplemental retirement plans including 401(k), 403(b) and 457 plans are also available.
• Comprehensive health benefits including medical, dental, vision, life, and flexible savings benefits.
• Employee assistance services such as counseling, professional coaching, financial planning, and more, are available to you and members of your household at no cost through the Colorado State Employee Assistance Program (C-SEAP).
• Generous paid time off benefits including up to 15 hours of annual leave and 10 hours sick leave per month, 10 paid holidays per year, and up to 18 hours for academic and volunteer activities.
• Tuition assistance for employees and their eligible dependents at any community college within the Colorado Community College System or CCCOnline.
• State employees are eligible to participate in BenefitHub which offers discounts for retailers and services and other benefits resources.
• Employees may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Additional information about this program can be found on the Colorado Division of Human Resources website.
• Final candidate will be subject to successful completion of a background check, and, if applicable, a motor vehicle record review.
• Former employees of the Colorado Community College System, or one of its 13 colleges, who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination, must disclose this information in their application material.
• Final candidates are required to submit unofficial transcripts for non‑instructional positions and official transcripts for instructional positions to Human Resources within thirty (30) days of hire.
• Direct deposit of payroll is a condition of employment.
• Red Rocks Community College participates in E-Verify.
• Red Rocks Community College is a tobacco and smoke‑free campus.
• All RRCC employees, except student employees, contribute to Colorado PERA at a fixed percentage of their earnings and do not contribute to Social Security.
• Finalist must be willing to make Colorado their primary workplace.
• Employees may not have a combination of overtime exempt and non‑exempt positions within the System at the same time. Employees in overtime exempt positions may be eligible for additional assignments, such as teaching or other non‑instructional academic work, outside of their regular position duties. Payment for additional assignments shall be in accordance with the College’s or System Office’s applicable pay schedule for similarly situated positions where the work is being performed. Work on additional assignments must be completed when the employee is not receiving regular pay for another position and are subject to all applicable workload limits.

RRCC/CCCS is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Red Rocks Community College and Colorado Community College System believes when all human qualities are regarded with dignity and respect and when everyone has access to the individualized support they need, all will have the opportunity to thrive. In all aspects of the employment process, decisions are made based on merit, competence, performance and business need without regard to sex, gender, race, color, age, creed, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, familial status, veteran or military status, pregnancy status, marital status, religion, genetic information, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. Our Accommodations and Non‑Discrimination policies, plus other helpful information, can be found publicly at https://www.rrcc.edu/about-us/disclaimers-and-legal-notices.

We also believe in going further. At RRCC we have a focus on equity and belonging. We strive to create a community in which everyone feels respected and valued for their unique talents and contributions, and where people from all backgrounds are able to achieve their goals. Red Rocks Community College acknowledges that inclusion and equity are multifaceted and complex concepts, and that our efforts in these areas will require innovation, intention, and an institutional commitment to these principles, across our entire college community.

Red Rocks Community College is an emerging Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). As we move toward full HSI status, we are focused on servingness and are committed to creating a learning environment where equity is expected and our Latinx students thrive.

For information regarding Red Rocks Community College Security, including Clery Act/Crime Statistics for the campuses and surrounding area, please see https://www.rrcc.edu/about-us/disclaimers-and-legal-notices.