Instructional Technology Lead

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INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

Application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring unit for consideration. Materials submitted after the IRD will ONLY be forwarded at the request of the hiring unit. To ensure your application is routed for consideration, submit your materials before 11:59 p.m. on the IRD. Application materials cannot be accepted outside of the jobs portal. Applications cannot be edited on an applicant's behalf. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, view this link.

The IRD for this job is: 11-07-2024

ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

UC Scout is a division of the UC Santa Cruz Extension. While UC Scout's home campus is located at 3175 Bowers Avenue in Santa Clara, the UC Scout team is a full-remote team, with individuals making occasional visits to the campus as needed. UC Scout serves high school students, providing online high school courses for students and curricula for educators.

UC Scout's growing team comprises five departments: instructional design and media, academics, support, outreach, and business intelligence. The team consists of approximately 50 full-time staff and 70 part-time employees. UC Scout works closely with UCSC Extension support staff, including IT, finance, and the office of the Dean to support UC Scout's goals.

More information can be found at https://www.ucscout.org/

JOB SUMMARY

Under the general supervision of the Learning Innovation Director, this position leads the research, integration, and technical administration of learning technologies across UC Scout's course catalog. In the lead role for Scout's instructional technologies, the incumbent will collaborate frequently and closely with department leadership, IT, media teams, Subject Matter Experts and external vendors.

Primary responsibilities include technical training and mentorship within the UC Scout organization, managing contractors, coordinating cross-functional teams, and overseeing multi-phase educational technology projects.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $83,000 - $93,000/year. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.
Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits

Schedule Information:

• Full-time, Fixed
• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week: Mon-Fri
• Shift Includes: Day

Employee Classification: Career appointment

Job End Date: None

Work Location: Remote

Union Representation: Non-Represented

Job Code Classification: 006148 (INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGNER 3)

Travel: Up to 25% of the time

JOB DUTIES

60% - Instructional Technology Leadership & Course Design

The Instructional Technology Lead will manage the integration and maintenance of educational technologies across UC Scout's courses. This includes:

• LTI Administration & Technical Oversight: Administer LTI integrations with the LMS, including tools like DesignPLUS, H5P, and other emerging technologies. Responsible for evaluating, testing, and implementing these tools to ensure seamless course delivery and compliance with ADA standards. Conduct continuous post-implementation assessment of tools to ensure tools continue to meet Scout's strategic needs.
• Collaborative Course Design: Lead instructional technology efforts, supporting instructional designers and collaborating with the media team to enhance the technical aspects of course design. Provide technical solutions and input during course creation and revision to ensure content is engaging, interactive, and aligned with UC Scout Course Standards.
• Research and Development: Identify educational technologies that could benefit the organization and present opportunities to leadership. Manage the vendor relationship from initial inquiry through adoption. Lead solution testing efforts, product evaluations, and pilots leading up to potential implementation.
• Supervision: Manage and supervise the work of temporary contractors assisting with the rapid deployment of new technologies or other improvements across the course catalog (as needed).
• Operational Instructional Design: Contribute to operational instructional design efforts alongside other Instructional Design colleagues, particularly during peak periods of activity.

20% - Technical Project Management

The Instructional Technology Lead will manage the entire lifecycle of technology projects, from research and development to implementation. This includes:

• Project Management: Oversee the entire lifecycle of technical pilots and technology implementations, starting with goal definition and stakeholder engagement. Develop and manage project plans, timelines, and resources and ensure that new tools or platforms are integrated according to strategic plans. Lead execution, ensuring tasks are completed as planned, and continuously monitor progress to address challenges. Oversee troubleshooting, vendor relations, and technical collaboration with IT.
• Documentation & Workflow Optimization: Develop and maintain technical documentation, track project progress, and collaborate with instructional designers and course project teams to improve workflows and ensure project goals are met on time.
• Ticketing System & User Support: Oversee learning technology ticket responses and resolution.

10% - Training & Professional Development

The Instructional Technology Lead will provide training and mentorship to instructional designers, subject-matter experts, and other stakeholders on instructional technology tools. This includes:

• Workshops & Training Programs: Develop and deliver workshops on emerging technologies and provide technical guidance on LTI integrations, multimedia tools, and other learning technologies. Conduct training needs analyses, measure/assess training outcomes, and conduct ongoing assessment of technical proficiencies and skills as needed.
• Mentorship: Support technology specialists, mentoring them on best practices for educational technology integration, ADA compliance, and efficient use of tools for course design and delivery.

10% - Collaboration with Department Leads

The Instructional Technology Lead will work closely with the Learning Innovation Director, Instructional Design Supervisor, and other UC Scout departments to align technology strategies with organizational goals. This includes:

• Cross-Department Collaboration: Serve as the technical liaison between instructional design, media, and academic departments, ensuring that all technology implementations support UC Scout's long-term vision and meet course design standards.
• Strategic Decision-Making: Contribute to discussions on the effective integration of AI, multimedia tools, and other innovations to improve course design, delivery, and student engagement.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
• Experience in developing and integrating multimedia content (videos, simulations, interactive elements) into courses to enhance learner engagement and course interactivity.
• Extensive knowledge of instructional design best practices, including multimedia integration, learner-centered course development, and design for online learning environments.
• Strong knowledge of LTI (Learning Tools Interoperability) integrations and administration, including tools such as DesignPLUS, H5P, and other emerging educational technologies.
• Exceptional organizational skills with a focus on maintaining accurate technical documentation, tracking project progress, and ensuring quality control in all deliverables.
• Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills for effectively collaborating with instructional designers, IT, production teams, and external vendors.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex technical projects, from planning and piloting to full implementation, ensuring timely delivery and alignment with organizational goals.
• Demonstrated ability to identify, analyze, and resolve technical issues related to educational technology implementations and instructional design tools.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's or other relevant advanced degree or certification.
• Experience in developing and delivering training workshops on new technologies and providing mentorship to instructional designers and technology specialists.
• In-depth understanding of ADA compliance requirements and the ability to ensure that all instructional technology tools and course designs adhere to accessibility standards.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
• Ability to work long periods of time at a computer with or without accommodation.
• This is a fully remote position, and the selected candidate must be able to work successfully from a home/remote office and be able to fulfill the requirements of the UCSC telecommuting agreement.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends as directed.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• Ability to travel nationally.
• Ability to maintain appearance and conduct suitable for working in a professional setting.
• The University of California has implemented a Vaccination Policy covering all employees. Employees, including new hires, are required to comply with any applicable policies relating to the University of California vaccine program.

SAFETY STATEMENT

All UCSC employees must understand and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY

EEO/AA

The University of California is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status. UC Santa Cruz is committed to excellence through diversity and strives to establish a climate that welcomes, celebrates, and promotes respect for the contributions of all students and employees.

For the University of California's Affirmative Action Policy please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4010393/PPSM-20

For the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination