Instructional Designer / Learning Experience Designer (HC)
The Instructional Designer serves as the College's lead resource for project-based learning (PBL) through the U.S. Department of Education Strengthening Institutions Program (SIP) grant. In this role, the incumbent collaborates with SIP faculty cohorts across all MGCCC campuses to implement project-based learning initiatives, facilitate faculty development, develop instructional resources, and fulfill the instructional design and faculty development objectives of the SIP grant. In addition, this position will provide leadership in instructional design, faculty development, educational technology, and innovative teaching practices to enhance teaching effectiveness and student success at the Harrison County Campus. Working collaboratively with faculty and academic departments, the incumbent designs, develops, and supports engaging, student-centered learning experiences that incorporate evidence-based instructional strategies, emerging technologies, and continuous course improvement.
The successful candidate is a collaborative, learner-centered instructional designer who is passionate about advancing teaching and learning through innovation, instructional excellence, and meaningful partnerships with faculty. The incumbent provides instructional consultation, course design support, faculty coaching, and professional development that promote student engagement, retention, persistence, and academic success while fostering a culture of continuous improvement across the institution. This position reports to the Assistant Dean of Learning Resources. The position provides college-wide leadership for project-based learning initiatives supported through the Strengthening Institutions Program (SIP) grant while serving as the Instructional Designer for the Harrison County Campus. This position is grant funded.
Job duties include serving as the college's lead resource for project-based learning (PBL) through the Strategic Investment Plan (SIP) grant by supporting faculty implementation, professional development, and instructional innovation across all MGCCC campuses. The role involves recruiting and supporting SIP faculty cohorts in participating in professional development and instructional design initiatives that advance the project-based learning objectives of the SIP grant. The incumbent collaborates with SIP faculty cohorts across the College to redesign curriculum and instructional materials using project-based learning methodologies and other grant-supported instructional innovations.
Additionally, the position requires tracking progress on assigned SIP grant activities and deliverables, preparing required documentation, and communicating updates to the SIP Steering Committee and other designated stakeholders. The Instructional Designer serves as a learner advocate and student-centered instructional designer for the Harrison County Campus, creating engaging, innovative, and technology-enhanced learning experiences that promote student success and instructional excellence.
The role involves working collaboratively with colleagues across all campuses and the district office to ensure consistent implementation of college policies, procedures, assigned instructional initiatives, and SIP grant activities. The incumbent identifies exemplary instructional design, project-based learning, and faculty development programs at peer institutions and coordinates benchmarking opportunities, site visits, and professional collaborations for SIP faculty cohorts, when appropriate.
The position also includes developing, implementing, and facilitating professional development programs, workshops, and training sessions for project-based learning initiatives supported through the SIP grant and for Harrison County Campus faculty on instructional design, educational technology, and evidence-based teaching practices. The incumbent collaborates with Harrison County Campus faculty to redesign curriculum, instructional materials, and learning experiences using evidence-based instructional design principles, educational technology, and innovative teaching strategies.
The Instructional Designer assesses learner needs and applies instructional design methodologies and technology integration to develop engaging, accessible, and effective curriculum and instructional content. The role involves developing high-quality formative and summative assessments, instructional materials, and evaluation tools that measure student learning outcomes and support continuous course improvement.
Participation in quality assurance reviews, instructor training, iterative course design, and ongoing analysis of course performance to ensure instructional quality and student success is also required. The position involves developing, curating, and maintaining instructional resources, model course materials, faculty toolkits, and a centralized repository of best practices supporting instructional design, Quality Matters standards, educational technologies, and project-based learning.
The incumbent assists faculty in designing and maintaining model course shells that incorporate Quality Matters standards, accessibility principles, project-based learning, and evidence-based instructional design practices. Conducting classroom observations, instructional consultations, and course shell reviews, upon request, to provide diagnostic feedback, strengthen instructional practices, and improve course design is part of the role. Providing individualized coaching, consultation, and ongoing support to faculty throughout the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of redesigned courses and instructional initiatives is also required.
Maintaining current knowledge of learning sciences, instructional design theory, educational technologies, artificial intelligence, accessibility standards, project-based learning, and emerging trends in higher education to support innovation and instructional excellence is essential. Performing duties independently while exercising sound judgment, initiative, creativity, and effective problem-solving skills in both routine and complex situations is necessary. Maintaining high professional standards in all work performed while providing leadership and support for the Teaching and Learning Division and Harrison County Campus initiatives is required.
Promoting a student-centered culture by supporting student retention, persistence, and completion initiatives and providing student advisement and support, as needed, is part of the role. Participation in campus and college events, orientations, committee assignments, councils, conferences, professional organizations, and community outreach activities while serving as a positive representative of the College is also required.
Maintaining proficiency in Banner, the College's learning management system, and other instructional technologies necessary to perform assigned duties is essential. Completing required employee development and professional learning activities, including a minimum of fifteen (15) hours of annual employee development, to maintain current knowledge and enhance job performance is required. Working flexible hours as necessary to meet campus responsibilities, college-wide project-based learning initiatives, and assigned SIP grant objectives is also necessary. Performing all other duties as assigned by the Harrison County Assistant Dean of Learning Resources is required.
Mandatory qualifications include a Master's degree in Instructional Design, Learning Design and Technology, Learning Experience Design, or closely related field emphasizing learning principles and instructional strategies from a regionally accredited institution. Three years of experience in project-based learning, instructional practices, and/or instructional design principles including creating measurable learning outcomes and aligned formative and summative assessments are required. Excellent oral and written communication skills and demonstrated effective project management and communication ability including skill in creating project tracking documentation and communicating progress to relevant stakeholders are required. Demonstrated proficiency with learning management systems, such as Canvas, project management software, various communication tools, and Microsoft Office software is required. Knowledge of adult learning principles and instructional strategies is required. Advanced time management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously are required. Proven ability to work collaboratively with faculty and staff in an educational setting is required.
Desirable qualifications include a Doctoral degree in Instructional Design, Learning Design and Technology, Learning Experience Design, or closely related field emphasizing learning principles and instructional strategies from a regionally accredited institution. Quality Matters (QM) Certification or certification in instructional design or related field is desirable. Experience working in a community college environment is desirable. Experience with educational program development is desirable.
EEO Statement - Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes students and employees without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, age, or qualified disability in its programs and activities. For further information, contact the Compliance Officer P.O. Box 609, Perkinston, Mississippi, 39573, telephone number , email address