Instructional Designer

Who We Are

Founded more than a century ago, ICMA is the premier professional association for local government leaders, managers, staff, and stakeholders, serving more than 13,000 members globally. As a membership association, we provide research and knowledge resources, professional development and training, peer to peer engagement, and technical assistance. We are also a major implementing partner for many grant and contract funded programs on emerging and prevailing topics and challenges to create stronger communities.

At ICMA, we take the concept of local government leadership, management, and innovation further into the future. Through our mission and passion to advance professional local government, we help communities deliver innovative services, empower resident engagement, enable economic development, strengthen leadership, uphold ethics, and provide forward-thinking management.

We ensure a diverse and inclusive workplace by welcoming people of different backgrounds, experiences, abilities, and perspectives and by learning from each other, individually and collectively.

A Great Opportunity

Do you have experience developing instructor-led and web-based content for a global audience? Are you passionate about creating products that are engaging and meet the needs of diverse learners? If the answer is yes, then we have an extraordinary opportunity for you!

We are seeking a savvy and highly skilled Instructional Designer to join our Professional Development Team. This person must provide creative foresight and guidance to expand ICMA's Professional Development learning portfolio. Significant experience developing in-person and virtual instructor-led programs; asynchronous online, self-paced eLearning courses; and video production is required. Experience creating learning experiences that can be adapted for a global audience is a plus. The ideal candidate will build and maintain trusting, productive relationships with ICMA's subject matter experts (SMEs) to design and develop new content; revamp existing content into additional modalities; and collaborate with internal and external committees and the Conference and Events, Membership, and Research Teams to produce real-time, dynamic learning experiences as needed.

The Instructional Designer reports to the Director, Professional Development Operations.

The Instructional Designer's salary is based on experience level and ranges between $76,911 and $96,138.

What You'll Do

• Apply instructional design principles to design and develop instructor-led (in person and virtual), self-paced online (asynchronous), and hybrid learning experiences around core practice areas for effective local government management and leadership.
• Partner with subject matter experts and local government leaders to define instructional goals and distill large amounts of content into manageable segments that meet the audience's needs and context.
• Create engaging, accessible, and copyright-compliant content for diverse learners that will enhance their retention and knowledge transfer.
• Develop train-the-trainer programs designed to prepare facilitators to host and run effective learning experiences on their own.
• Support the delivery of instructor-led workshops, webinars, and other learning experiences to a diverse global audience across time zones.
• Collaborate with peers to review, test, evaluate, and improve learning experiences as needed.

What You Need To Be Successful In This Role

• The following competencies are essential in this role:
• CRITICAL THINKING - Possess a keen understanding of instructional design principles and practices and use that knowledge to design and develop high-quality, irresistibly engaging learning experiences.
• DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION - Prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion in instructional design to create a more accessible, engaging, and effective learning environment for all learners.
• PLANNING AND EVALUATING - Organize work, set priorities, and determine resource requirements; identify short- and long-term goals and strategies to achieve them; coordinate with other stakeholders, monitor progress, and evaluate outcomes.
• REMOTE ENVIRONMENT - Demonstrate the ability to work independently in a remote environment, effectively managing time and resources to achieve project goals without a need for constant supervision.
• PROBLEM SOLVING - Identify problems, determine the accuracy and relevance of information, and use sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives and make recommendations.
• WRITTEN COMMUNICATION - Compose, review, and edit materials for diverse audiences; communicate purpose in a succinct and organized manner that is appropriate for the context, time, and place.
• WORKING WITH PEOPLE - Communicate with empathy; listen respectfully and actively; approach challenges from a different perspective; ask questions to understand; and reconcile conflict.
• GROWTH MINDSET - Display a willingness to give and receive constructive feedback. Proactively seek out and stay informed of best practices, trends, and innovations in learning design.
• Bachelor's degree in Education, Instructional Design, Adult Learning or related discipline.
• Five (5) to eight (8) years of experience designing learning experiences for adult learners.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Instructional Design

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs)

• Ability to design and develop instructional content for synchronous instructor-led (virtual or in-person), asynchronous (self-paced online), and hybrid learning experiences
• Ability to distill large amounts of content into organized, digestible, and impactful learning experiences
• Ability to create course outlines, video scripts, presentation slides, participant and facilitator guides, and other learning assets as needed
• Ability to effectively communicate and relate well with SMEs and team members
• Ability to manage multiple projects/priorities with different timetables
• Ability to work collaboratively across teams and be comfortable communicating with individuals at all levels, including vendors, members, and leadership
• Knowledge of and experience developing content with Learning Management Systems, eLearning authoring tools, multimedia editing software, and other instructional technologies
• Knowledge of and proficiency with computer operations software, web-based technologies, virtual communication platforms, and Microsoft Office Suite
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills
• Strong customer service skills
• Experience building and maintaining client relationships
• Skilled in providing proactive, creative, and innovative approaches to problem-solving
• Effective time management and organizational skills; detail-oriented

Physical Requirements/Work Environment

The work environment and physical demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Work is typically performed in a home office environment free from hazards or unpleasant environmental conditions
• Limited domestic travel may be required for staff meetings and member events.

What We Can Offer You

• Remote work environment
• A collegial working environment where teamwork and individual contributions are valued
• A competitive salary
• A comprehensive benefits package that includes employer sponsored health, dental, life, disability, and employee assistance benefits
• Paid time off to include vacation, sick leave, holidays, and floating days
• Generous retirement plan
• Opportunities for ongoing professional development

This position is based out of ICMA's headquarters, located in Washington, D.C. At this time, all ICMA staff are working remotely. The selected individual must be able to work the core business hours from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm EST. Our office will remain operational and accessible for staff to use on a voluntary basis.

A high-speed Internet connection is required. Personnel will provide the Internet service at their own expense. The internet connection must be of sufficient bandwidth to allow the team member to efficiently perform their regular job functions.

The selected candidate must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship, now or at any time in the future.

EEO Statement

At ICMA, we strive to promote and sustain a culture of diversity, inclusion and belonging every day. ICMA is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. We do not discriminate in recruiting, hiring or promotion, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex/gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, or on any other basis or characteristic prohibited by applicable federal, state, or local law. We proudly support and encourage people with military experience (active, veterans, reservists and National Guard) as well as military spouses to apply for ICMA job opportunities.