Instructional Design Specialist

About the role

The Instructional Design Specialist maintains and updates CDI’s catalog of learning experiences, ensuring content is accurate, accessible, and current. Reporting to the Senior Director of Education, the role works closely with the Education and Live Programs teams and partners with Product for platform QA. This hands‑on position is ideal for an early‑to‑mid‑career professional who values precision, system building, and learning‑science application.

Key responsibilities

• Plan and implement approved revisions to live programs, coordinating release schedules with the Live Programs team.
• Maintain version control for the Perspectives online program, including changelogs, archiving, and reconstruction of cohort content.
• Draft and revise module text, discussion prompts, activities, and assessments following CDI’s instructional design standards.
• Run pre‑release QA with Product, checking links, media, accessibility (WCAG, alt text, captions), and overall learner experience.
• Own the content feedback backlog, consolidating input from facilitators, partners, surveys, and support tickets into a tracked queue.

Required profile

• 3+ years of professional experience, with at least 1 year building or maintaining learning content.
• Strong grounding in instructional design fundamentals such as backward design, measurable objectives, and adult learning principles.
• Hands‑on experience with an LMS or course‑authoring tool (e.g., Canvas, Moodle, Articulate Rise/Storyline).
• Working knowledge of digital accessibility standards (WCAG 2.1 AA, Section 508) and consistent application.
• Exceptional attention to detail, systematic QA processes, and comfort with version control and documentation.

Required skills

• Canvas
• Moodle
• Articulate Rise
• Articulate Storyline
• Learning Management System (LMS) tools
• WCAG 2.1 AA compliance
• Section 508 compliance

What we offer

• Mission‑driven culture focused on constructive dialogue and higher‑education impact.
• Unlimited PTO plus 13 company holidays.
• Health, vision, and dental plans with employer contributions.
• 401(k) match up to 3% of pay.
• Annual professional‑development budget.
• Remote‑work support: up to $500 for home office equipment and $50/month for internet or phone.