Instructional Designer

Expectation and Condition of Employment

Howard Payne University, a church-related institution affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas, seeks to employ evangelical Christians who are dedicated to teaching and service as they model the principles of the Christian faith and the University’s sincere religious beliefs.

Howard Payne University (hereafter, University) is committed to the integration of learning and Christian faith in the pursuit of truth. Employees are expected to embrace the Christian Mission Statement and Core Values of the University and must support the University’s affirmation of traditional Christian and Baptist beliefs by leading lives of service through active involvement in Christian activities both on campus and through a local church.

Mission Statement

Howard Payne University is a Christ-centered academic community dedicated to excellence by developing and equipping the whole person for intellectual inquiry, personal and professional integrity, and service to God and humanity.

Core Values of Howard Payne University

We believe and affirm that the University as an institution and each individual called to serve the Lord at Howard
Payne should strive to demonstrate a commitment to these five Core Values:

• Centered on Christ   (cf. Col. 3:17, Matt. 7:24)
• Focused on Community   (cf. Eph. 4:4-6, 1 Pet. 3:8)
• Called to Service   (cf. Mark 10:45, Phil. 2:3-5)
• Committed to Excellence   (cf. Gen. 1:31, 1 Cor. 9:24)
• Dedicated to Stewardship   (cf. Gen. 2:15, 1 Pet. 4:10)

As a condition of employment, employees agree to be paid by Direct Deposit. Applicants offered contingent employment based on the University obtaining a clean background check agree the contingent offer of employment may be revoked based on the information obtained in the background check.

If offered employment, your acceptance will indicate that you have read and agree to the Expectations and Conditions above.

Application Procedure

To be considered for this position, please submit the following:

• a letter of application addressing in detail how you meet the position requirements
• a resume or CV (curriculum vitae)
• unofficial transcripts, and
• a completed HPU Employment Application

Job Summary

The Instructional Designer will play a crucial role in designing, developing, and implementing innovative instructional strategies and materials that support the university's academic programs. This position will collaborate with faculty to enhance teaching and learning, leveraging technology to create engaging and effective online and blended learning experiences. The ideal candidate will possess a strong understanding of adult learning principles and a commitment to integrating faith and learning.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Lead and Manage Multiple Course Development Projects: Oversee the simultaneous development of multiple excellent online courses, fostering active faculty engagement and ensuring adherence to instructional design best practices and quality standards

1. Enhance Instructional Materials: Review and edit instructional materials (e.g., videos, PowerPoint presentations, graphics) to optimize quality and accessibility (ADA, UDL) for all learners
2. Provide Instructional Design Expertise: Collaborate with faculty to implement effective instructional design strategies, leverage web-based resources, multimedia technologies, and instructional software (including AI) to enhance online course development

1. Ensure Instructional Integrity: Work closely with faculty to maintain the integrity of course development projects through systematic design processes and clear course standards and objectives
2. Stay Current with Educational Technologies: Research, evaluate, and integrate innovative educational technologies to optimize student learning in online courses
3. Develop Faculty Training Resources: Create faculty training resources on best practices for effective online instruction, and conduct faculty development sessions to promote these best practices
4. Other duties as assigned

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position has no supervisory responsibilities

Required Competencies

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

1. Modeling Christian Faith - Must be committed to modeling the Christian faith; displays a proven record of modeling the Christian faith in business operations, management roles, customer service functions, and interactions with others; is committed to continuing to model Christian faith in a manner consistent with the University’s mission Statement and core values
2. Design – Generates creative solutions; translates concepts and information into images; uses feedback to modify designs; applies design principles; and demonstrates attention to detail
3. Project Management - Develops effective project plans; coordinates projects; communicates changes and progress; completes projects on time and budget; and manages project team activities effectively
4. Technical Skills – Assesses own strengths and weaknesses; pursues training and development opportunities; strives to build knowledge and skills continuously; shares expertise with others
5. Customer Service – Manages difficult or emotional situations effectively; solicits feedback to improve service; responds to requests for service and assistance promptly and effectively; meets the commitments they make to others 

1. Interpersonal Skills - Focuses on solving conflict without blaming others; consistently maintains confidentiality; listens to others without interrupting them; keeps his or her emotions under control; remains open to others' ideas and tries new things

1. Teamwork - Balances the needs of the team and individual responsibilities effectively; exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; gives and welcomes feedback; contributes to building a positive team spirit; puts the success of the team above his or her own interests; is able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; supports everyone's efforts to succeed
2. Change Management – Develops workable implementation plans; communicates changes effectively; builds commitment and overcomes resistance effectively; prepares and supports those affected by change; monitors transition and evaluates results
3. Quality Management - Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness
4. Business Acumen – Understands the business implications of his or her decisions; displays an orientation to working within approved budgets and University profitability; demonstrates a thorough knowledge of the higher education industry and the University’s competition; aligns his or her work with the University’s Strategic Plan
5. Ethics - Treats everyone with respect; keeps commitments; inspires others to trust him or her; works with integrity and ethically; upholds the University's Mission Statement and Core Values
6. University Support - Follows policies and procedures consistently; completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; supports the University’s Mission Statement and Core Values; benefits the University through external community and professional activities; supports affirmative action and respects diversity
7. Planning/Organizing - Prioritizes and plans work activities effectively; uses time efficiently; plans for additional resources if necessary; sets goals and objectives; organizes and schedules other people and their tasks; develops realistic action plans
8. Quality - Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; looks for ways to improve and promote quality; applies effective feedback to improve performance; monitors his or her own work to ensure quality
9. Dependability - Follows instructions; responds effectively to his or her supervisor’s direction; takes responsibility for his or her own actions and keeps commitments; commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals; completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan
10. Initiative - Volunteers readily; undertakes self-development activities; seeks increased responsibilities; takes appropriate independent actions and calculated risks; looks for and takes advantage of opportunities to improve situations; asks for and offers help when needed

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the Essential Duties and Responsibilities listed above satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Education and/or Experience – Bachelor's degree from an accredited University or at least three years of directly related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. A Master’s Degree is preferred
2. Language Skills - Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents in English; ability to respond to inquiries or complaints from regulatory agencies or members of the community; ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conform to a prescribed style and format; ability to present information to University students, trustees, other employees and the public effectively
3. Math Skills – No math skills required
4. Reasoning Ability - Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; looks for ways to improve and promote quality; applies effective feedback to improve performance; monitors his or her own work to ensure quality
5. Computer Skills - To perform this job successfully, an individual should have a good working knowledge of Internet software and Microsoft Suite software and Learning Management System (Blackboard & Brightspace)
6. License - Must be at least 21 years old and maintain a current Texas driver's license to drive any vehicle, including personally owned vehicles, on behalf of the University
7. Physical Demands – The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the Essential Duties and Responsibilities of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the Essential Duties and Responsibilities
   1. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and /or move up to 10 pounds while handling materials such as books, files and papers. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
8. Work Environment - The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the Essential Duties and Responsibilities of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the Essential Duties and Responsibilities
   
   1. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles and caustic cleaning or landscaping chemicals used on campus.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.