Associate instructional designer - digital learning - utk

The Associate Instructional Designer supports the preparation and delivery of online and hybrid courses at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Working with instructional designers, faculty, and campus partners, this position helps prepare courses for each term, responds to course support needs, and improves the accessibility and usability of course materials. The role follows established processes, documents its work, and brings complex design or technical questions to the appropriate team member.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Course term preparation

• Prepare Canvas course sites for upcoming terms using approved templates and established workflows.
• Check course navigation, modules, LTI links, dates, assignments, gradebook settings, and student access before courses open.
• Copy and update reusable course content while identifying items that require faculty review or revision.
• Track readiness tasks, document issues, and coordinate with instructional designers and faculty to resolve them by launch deadlines.
• LTI/External tool configurations, configuring Zoom sessions and Yellowdig, VitalSource/VolBooks verifications, and managing parent/child section copies.
• Utilize structured ticketing and project management systems like TeamDynamix and Asana, to ensure accurate and timely project deliverables and faculty communication standards.

Course support

• Respond to routine faculty requests about Canvas course content, organization, and delivery.
• Help update course materials and troubleshoot common issues during the term.
• Maintain clear records of requests, changes, and outstanding items; refer issues outside the roles scope to the appropriate specialist.
• Provide faculty with practical guidance on using approved course templates and tools.

Accessibility and quality review

• Review course pages, documents, images, links, and media for common accessibility barriers using approved tools and checklists.
• Make routine improvements, such as organizing headings, adding descriptive links and alternative text, and improving document structure.
• Coordinate captioning, document remediation, or other specialized support when needed.
• Check that course materials are clear, consistent, and usable for students, and document items requiring faculty decisions.

Professional development and team collaboration

• Participate in training on Canvas, accessibility, online teaching, and university processes.
• Share recurring issues and opportunities to improve course preparation and support workflows.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in instructional design, education, technology, learning science, or related field.
• Experience: Experience providing educational technology development services, or formal or informal education, whether in full-time or part-time capacity.
• Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:
• Knowledge of basic online course organization and instructional design principles.
• Knowledge of digital accessibility and inclusive course design practices.
• Skill in editing and organizing digital course content with attention to detail.
• Skill in written communication and documenting work clearly.
• Ability to follow established procedures, manage multiple deadlines, and seek guidance when needed.
• Ability to work collaboratively with faculty, instructional designers, and support teams.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without need now or in the future for sponsorship for employment-based visa status.

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree.
• Experience: Experience supporting courses in a learning management system, particularly Canvas; experience reviewing or improving the accessibility of digital content; and experience in higher education or faculty support.

Work Location

Location: Remote, operating out of Eastern Time.

Compensation and Benefits

• UT market range: MR10.
• Anticipated hiring range: $50-$55k.
• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here.
• Find more information on UT Benefits here.

Application Instructions

To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments:

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Sample portfolio of your work. The portfolio could include PDFs, hyperlinks, and/or image files. When uploading images or work samples, please include clear labeling that includes your first and last name.

About The College/Department/Division

Digital Learning at UT, is a unit charged with advancing UT’s commitment to discovery, creativity, learning, and engagement, specifically for online learners. Using advanced and innovative technologies, Digital Learning at UT will provide scalable solutions that enhance the online learning experience and reduce barriers to student access and success, providing a tremendous impact to online learners across the state and the nation. At Digital Learning, we want to be bold and impactful, transforming the future of online education through innovative thinking and collaborative problem-solving. Join our dynamic and inclusive Digital Learning team where we take pride in teamwork, excellence, and a shared commitment to shaping the future through education and innovation.

Additional Information on all postings provided by UTK

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees—the Volunteers—who uphold the university’s tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service.

UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee’s flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy’s largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service.

UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices to attract and retain top-tier talent, fostering a strong staff community and supporting a culture of involvement and engagement for everyone.

The university holds a strong commitment to its land-grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as “Best Employer for New Graduates,” “One of America’s Best Large Employers,” and “Best Workplace for Women,” and has been designated as “Best Place for Working Parents” by Forbes Magazine.

Apply today and join the Tennessee Volunteer community!