Instructional Designer

Under general supervision, to work in a team environment and be responsible for activities associated with the design, development and delivery of in-house training for end-users of office productivity software or other proprietary software applications.

Responsibilities:

• Coordinates training for application implementation, upgrades and changes, and participates in application implementation upgrades and changes;
• Serves as liaison between end users, project team members, and other resources as needed;
• Uses storyboarding, outlines and other media tools to produce a high-level design for course or learning series development that will enhance business capabilities;
• Develops content outlined in design phase through research of pertinent subject matter and conferring with subject matter experts;
• Participates on project teams with primary responsibility for identifying associated training plans;
• Assesses the learning needs of staff in support of organizational strategy and helps identify areas where increased end-user competence could improve performance; gathers information about the learners such as preferred learning environment and existing knowledge and skills;
• Provides ad hoc training to users who are confronted with complex tasks or problems;
• Collaborates with subject matter experts, training colleagues, site specialists, business clients and Information Technology partners across the organization;
• Researches a variety of pertinent subject matter literature and confers with job experts and others with relevant knowledge to establish a foundation for training;
• Designs, writes, updates and tests training curriculum to a broad range of end user roles and knowledge, including computer-based training modules;
• Delivers structured content and learning materials in a classroom setting, to Learning Management Systems, or through other electronic media;
• Builds and maintains the master training environment;
• Previews and evaluates vendor instructional materials for purchase and use by the County;
• Manages work plan and project steps using established tools and procedures to meet committed time frames and project milestones; may utilize agile e-learning development (iterative design);
• Locates and arranges for training and development facilities and speakers/instructors or other trainers and coordinates the inventory, ordering, prepackaging and issuing of program supplies and equipment;
• Coordinates training needs assessments for new software releases and updates; works with SMEs to identify, design and deliver a variety of training methods;
• Instructs individuals or groups in a variety of subject matter areas and performs the role of facilitator or resource person;
• Trains, credentials and supervises Credentialed Trainers and Super Users, as applicable;
• Provides technical training and orientation to desktop, financial, clinical or specialized business applications;
• Performs in-depth analysis of workflows, data collection, report details, and other technical issues associated with business software in order to design instructional content;
• Participates in the evaluation and testing of new module releases;
• Maintains training materials;
• Provides status updates and creates and manages training timelines and deliverables;
• Evaluates effectiveness of training timelines and deliverables and consults with project or product managers regarding frequency and volume of content delivery;
• May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker, as required;
• Performs other related duties as required.

Minimum Requirements:

Sufficient education, training and experience to demonstrate possession of the following knowledge and abilities:

Training and Experience Note:
Possession of a Bachelor's degree in Information Technology or Systems, Instruction Design or Technology, Communications, Management, Business or Public Administration, Industrial Relations, Education, Social or Behavioral Science, Health Science or a related field, and two (2) years of recent experience designing, developing and delivering training curriculum and materials for a software system and/or two (2) years of experience working with software applications and computer systems essential to the functional area in which staff will need to be trained. A Master's degree in one of the above listed fields may substitute for one (1) year of the required experience.

OR Training and experience equivalent to the possession of a Bachelor's degree. Relevant analytical, administrative, lead, supervisory or management experience that includes interpreting rules and regulations, gathering data and formulating recommendations, and report writing can substitute for education on a year-for-year basis; and four (4) years of recent experience designing, developing and delivering training curriculum and materials for a software system and/or four (4) years of experience working with software applications and computer systems essential to the functional area in which personnel will need to be trained. A Master's degree in one of the above listed fields may substitute for one (1) year of the required experience.

Special Requirements:

• Ability to travel to alternate locations in the course of work. If driving, possession of a valid California Driver's License prior to appointment and the ability to qualify for and maintain a County driver authorization.
• Depending on the position, related certifications may be required or desired. If required, the certifications must be maintained through new version training and continuing education.
• Instructional Designers working on the Epic program must obtain Epic certification within the first 6 months of appointment or vacate the position.
• Depending on the position, knowledge of a specific domain or functional area(s) may be required.

Knowledge of:

• Employee, management and organizational development techniques and current adult learning theory and practices;
• Principles and techniques of curriculum development;
• Theory and practices of organization, management, public administration, supervision, and communication;
• Effective methods of using multimedia equipment and other training aids or materials;
• Current adult learning theory and methodologies, presentation techniques and course pacing;
• Instructional design models (e.g., ADDIE);
• Application protocols and problem-solving methods focused on helping staff learn how to use software to increase speed and create higher value work products;
• Various curriculum development applications and training delivery methods including web-based, self-paced, and classroom education.

Ability to:

• Plan, develop, conduct, and evaluate, a variety of complex and difficult management and employee training and development programs or courses;
• Conduct employee, management, and other organizational needs assessments and task analyses;
• Translate specific department/agency organizational needs into curriculum and differentiate between needs which can be met through training and those which require other approaches;
• Develop technology training programs for non-technical audiences;
• Establish collaborative working relationships with a diverse audience, including stakeholders as well as trainees;
• Formulate specific objectives against which to compare and evaluate training results;
• Maintain currency in the state-of-the-art training theory and practice;
• Collect, analyze, and interpret data;
• Demonstrate active listening skills, communicate effectively both orally and in writing, and speak effectively before large and small groups;
• Conduct training and development sessions, perform the role of facilitator, and effectively utilize group dynamic skills and techniques;
• Reason logically and creatively and utilize a variety of analytical skills and sound techniques in the process of meeting program goals relative to management/employee training and development and improvement of organizational productivity;
• Work as a member of a team;
• Effectively prioritize activities and projects;
• Interact with and work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams and process stakeholders;
• Learn and retain knowledge of all assigned applications;
• Coordinate and communicate with process stakeholders;
• Multi-task complex work assignments;
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing;
• Resolve conflicts;
• Lead meetings;
• Perform under pressure with tight deadlines;
• Become cross-functional in one or more applications;
• Listen and suggest ways to complement or assist the work of others;
• Collaborate and work to fill gaps and void overlaps in local system activities;
• Motivate key process stakeholders;
• Translate and document complex clinical and/or business workflows;
• Work with minimal guidance;
• Effectively negotiate and facilitate.

Additional Requirements:

• Travel outside the County for training, conferences, seminars or meetings in support of assigned projects;
• Work evenings and weekends, on an as-needed basis.