What are the responsibilities and job description for the Educational Specialist position at College for Creative Studies?
STATUS: Full Time
DIVISION: Academic Affairs
REPORTS TO: Dean of Academic Affairs
SUPERVISES: N/A
FLSA STATUS: Exempt
Position Description
The College for Creative Studies (CCS) seeks an innovative and collaborative leader to drive the institution-wide transformation of online, blended, and technology-enhanced instruction. The Educational Specialist plays a critical role in supporting faculty through instructional design, professional development, and pedagogical innovation to foster inclusive, effective, and engaging learning experiences for all students.
Role Overview Reporting to the Dean of Academic Affairs, the Educational Specialist will work closely with the Deans of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies, Information Technology Services, and faculty across CCS. This position is responsible for enhancing instructional practices by integrating inclusive pedagogies, supporting technology-enhanced learning, and ensuring faculty have access to high-quality professional development resources. The Educational Specialist will also oversee a Canvas-based repository of teaching materials, and manage faculty development initiatives such as workshops, teaching circles, and one-to-one consultations.
CCS values diversity and welcomes applications from underrepresented groups. The ideal candidate is data-driven, tech-savvy, and passionate about adapting art and design education to both online and in-person learning environments. They will work to develop a robust library of educational tools and guide faculty in their effective use.
Position Accountabilities And Essential Functions
Educational Technology and Instructional Design
Minimum Qualifications:
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to maintain a stationary position, use a computer and other office equipment, and communicate effectively in person, by phone, and virtually. Frequent interaction with others, including staff, faculty, students and third parties is required. The employee may occasionally be required to move files or other objects weighing up to 25 pounds, including from low and high places. The ability to move around within the office and between buildings on campus, attend off-site meetings and events, and travel between Ford Campus site to Taubman Center site are required. CCS will make reasonable accommodations that will allow individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
About CCS
The College for Creative Studies (CCS) is a nonprofit, private college authorized by the Michigan Education Department to grant Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. CCS, located in midtown Detroit, strives to provide students with the tools needed for successful careers in the dynamic and growing creative industries. CCS fosters students’ resolve to pursue excellence, act ethically, engage their responsibilities as citizens, and learn throughout their lives. With world-class faculty and unsurpassed facilities, students learn to be visual communicators who actively use art and design toward the betterment of society. The College is a major supplier of talent to numerous industries, such as transportation, film and animation, advertising and communications, consumer electronics, athletic apparel, and many more. Its graduates are exhibiting artists and teachers, design problem solvers and innovators, as well as creative leaders in business.
To apply
Applicants are encouraged to apply immediately. The search will close when a suitable candidate is hired. Interested candidates should submit the following in PDF format: cover letter, resume/CV, and a statement of online and teaching philosophy should be sent to: hr@ccsdetroit.edu
Official transcripts/certificates for degrees are required as a condition of hire.
CCS website: http://www.collegeforcreativestudies.edu/
The College for Creative Studies, a leading college of art and design, represents a community composed of individuals with many perspectives, personal experiences, values, identities and worldviews and we value the diversity this brings to our organization. CCS is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. We consider applicants for all positions without regard to age, race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, height, weight, gender identity, marital or veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status.
The College for Creative Studies subscribes to the principle of equal opportunity in its employment, admissions and educational practices and strives to provide an environment and workplace free from unlawful harassment or discrimination. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are part of our Core Institutional Values and we encourage applications from all individuals.
DIVISION: Academic Affairs
REPORTS TO: Dean of Academic Affairs
SUPERVISES: N/A
FLSA STATUS: Exempt
Position Description
The College for Creative Studies (CCS) seeks an innovative and collaborative leader to drive the institution-wide transformation of online, blended, and technology-enhanced instruction. The Educational Specialist plays a critical role in supporting faculty through instructional design, professional development, and pedagogical innovation to foster inclusive, effective, and engaging learning experiences for all students.
Role Overview Reporting to the Dean of Academic Affairs, the Educational Specialist will work closely with the Deans of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies, Information Technology Services, and faculty across CCS. This position is responsible for enhancing instructional practices by integrating inclusive pedagogies, supporting technology-enhanced learning, and ensuring faculty have access to high-quality professional development resources. The Educational Specialist will also oversee a Canvas-based repository of teaching materials, and manage faculty development initiatives such as workshops, teaching circles, and one-to-one consultations.
CCS values diversity and welcomes applications from underrepresented groups. The ideal candidate is data-driven, tech-savvy, and passionate about adapting art and design education to both online and in-person learning environments. They will work to develop a robust library of educational tools and guide faculty in their effective use.
Position Accountabilities And Essential Functions
Educational Technology and Instructional Design
- Oversee the development and maintenance of instructional standards for face-to-face, blended/hybrid, and online instruction.
- Train faculty in the effective use of educational technology tools for classroom instruction, including best practices for Universal Design for Learning (UDL).
- Support the integration of inclusive pedagogies to help faculty build trust and community in their classrooms.
- Develop materials on topics such as supporting disabled and neurodiverse students and creating accessible learning environments.
- Collaborate with the LMS technologist and the Dean of Academic Affairs to implement assessment plans in Canvas.
- Manage relationships with external partners such as Canvas, NC-SARA, EvaluationKit, and others supporting technology-enhanced instruction at CCS.
- Design, develop, and implement online programs, courses, and short courses in collaboration with faculty and other subject matter experts, adhering to college standards of engagement, accessibility, technology, and rigor.
- Advance the institutional strategy for online pedagogy and ensure all course development adheres to ADA guidelines.
- Utilize instructional design techniques to develop, edit, and maintain courses, incorporating best practices and current instructional design theories.
- Partner with Academic Affairs and key stakeholders to achieve short- and long-term goals for technology-enhanced teaching and learning across undergraduate, graduate, certificate, and continuing studies programs.
- Facilitate professional development workshops and symposia focused on course design, online teaching, technology-enhanced learning, new faculty orientation, and CCS Professional Development Day.
- Sponsor teaching circles and learning communities, including those focused on accessibility and equity in education.
- Manage the annual budget for educational technology and faculty development initiatives.
- Promote awareness at leadership levels of current and emerging pedagogical models and technology-enhanced delivery systems (e.g., badges, certificates, micro-credentials).
- Work closely with the Educational Specialist and LMS Technologist to strengthen curriculum design and digital learning experiences while fostering collaboration with CCS faculty and staff members such as Academic Affairs and IT Services.
- Serve as an ex-officio member on relevant campus committees, including the Curriculum Committee and Assessment Committee.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Dean of Academic Affairs.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Five or more years of experience in academic or educational technology, instructional design, or faculty development.
- Proven track record of innovation in teaching, online pedagogy, and a strong understanding of emerging technologies.
- Extensive experience in instructional design for both LMS-enhanced in-person learning and online learning.
- Strong interpersonal skills, patience, a sense of humor, and the ability to lead and collaborate with colleagues across the college.
- A graduate degree in a related field.
- Experience working with learning management systems, particularly Canvas.
- Experience managing budgets, supervising teams, and developing program plans from vision to implementation.
- Technical experience or understanding of enterprise systems (e.g., evaluation, assessment, curriculum management).
- Experience working with faculty in art and design disciplines.
- Proficiency in working across multiple technology platforms.
- Experience with mobile delivery of instruction.
- Ability to conduct, support, and interpret research in pedagogy and instructional design.
- Personal experience teaching or developing online courses.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to maintain a stationary position, use a computer and other office equipment, and communicate effectively in person, by phone, and virtually. Frequent interaction with others, including staff, faculty, students and third parties is required. The employee may occasionally be required to move files or other objects weighing up to 25 pounds, including from low and high places. The ability to move around within the office and between buildings on campus, attend off-site meetings and events, and travel between Ford Campus site to Taubman Center site are required. CCS will make reasonable accommodations that will allow individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
About CCS
The College for Creative Studies (CCS) is a nonprofit, private college authorized by the Michigan Education Department to grant Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. CCS, located in midtown Detroit, strives to provide students with the tools needed for successful careers in the dynamic and growing creative industries. CCS fosters students’ resolve to pursue excellence, act ethically, engage their responsibilities as citizens, and learn throughout their lives. With world-class faculty and unsurpassed facilities, students learn to be visual communicators who actively use art and design toward the betterment of society. The College is a major supplier of talent to numerous industries, such as transportation, film and animation, advertising and communications, consumer electronics, athletic apparel, and many more. Its graduates are exhibiting artists and teachers, design problem solvers and innovators, as well as creative leaders in business.
To apply
Applicants are encouraged to apply immediately. The search will close when a suitable candidate is hired. Interested candidates should submit the following in PDF format: cover letter, resume/CV, and a statement of online and teaching philosophy should be sent to: hr@ccsdetroit.edu
Official transcripts/certificates for degrees are required as a condition of hire.
CCS website: http://www.collegeforcreativestudies.edu/
The College for Creative Studies, a leading college of art and design, represents a community composed of individuals with many perspectives, personal experiences, values, identities and worldviews and we value the diversity this brings to our organization. CCS is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. We consider applicants for all positions without regard to age, race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, height, weight, gender identity, marital or veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status.
The College for Creative Studies subscribes to the principle of equal opportunity in its employment, admissions and educational practices and strives to provide an environment and workplace free from unlawful harassment or discrimination. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are part of our Core Institutional Values and we encourage applications from all individuals.
