Remote Instructional Designer: Higher Ed Course Design

Sonoran Desert Institute; Columbus (OH); Remote; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)

Comprehensive benefits package with %

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Company-paid Life insurance

14 Paid holidays

Master’s degree in Curriculum and In­d

Certificate or training in ID

Job summary

Sonoran Desert Institute is seeking an experienced Instructional Designer for a remote role limited to eligible states. You will collaborate with SMEs to design online courses, develop documentation, and curate multimedia resources using Canvas and other authoring tools.

The position emphasizes applying adult learning principles, ensuring accessibility, and aligning with higher education standards. Ideal candidates have 3+ years in ID, with higher education experience, and strong organizational

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instructional Design or related field; or certificate with 16 credit hours in instructional design.
• Minimum three years of professional experience in instructional design.
• At least one year of instructional design experience in higher education.
• Advanced knowledge of adult learning principles and distance instruction.
• Practical experience with learning management systems and course-authoring software.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills; able to meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with subject matter experts to analyze learning needs and identify objectives and outcomes for new and revised distance learning courses.
• Create course and program documentation, including blueprints, maps, and design documents; secure digital textbooks and resources.
• Design and develop engaging online course materials, including assessments, discussions, and activities to measure learning.
• Develop course shells, syllabi, home pages, modules in Canvas using native tools and third‑party authoring software like CidiLabs, Design Plus, and Canva.
• Source external media with proper citations and maintain accessibility standards.
• Support Academic QA to ensure alignment with objectives and maintain consistency.
• Stay current with trends in instructional design and distance education to drive improvement.
• Troubleshoot faculty and student course access and functionality; participate in training and development.
• Help develop SOPs for curriculum team and department-wide understanding.

Skills

Instructional design

LMS experience

Course authoring

Time management

Project coordination

Education

Master's degree in Curriculum and Instructional Design

Certificate in instructional design

Tools

Canvas

CidiLabs

Design Plus

Canva

Job description

Sonoran Desert Institute is seeking an experienced Instructional Designer for a remote role limited to eligible states. You will collaborate with SMEs to design online courses, develop documentation, and curate multimedia resources using Canvas and other authoring tools.

The position emphasizes applying adult learning principles, ensuring accessibility, and aligning with higher education standards. Ideal candidates have 3+ years in ID, with higher education experience, and strong organizational