Sr. Instructional Designer - Field Science Training

About the position Battelle is seeking a Sr. Instructional Designer for Field Science Training to join the NEON Education and Engagement team. This hybrid position, based in Boulder, CO, will also consider remote candidates. The primary responsibility of the Sr. Instructional Designer is to develop and maintain training programs and content for over 350 field staff, most of whom are seasonal employees stationed at various sites across the U.S. The training curriculum focuses on terrestrial and aquatic biological and environmental sampling procedures, as well as the maintenance of ground-based sensors at NEON's 81 field sites. The role involves a combination of in-person and online instruction, field and lab practice sessions, and on-the-job training. The Sr. Instructional Designer will leverage their subject matter expertise to create and facilitate a high-quality training program. This includes developing and maintaining training content and materials that align with program priorities and needs, utilizing NEON's learning management system to assign and track the completion of training components tailored to various roles and responsibilities. Collaboration is key, as the Sr. Instructional Designer will work closely with NEON headquarters scientists and engineers who write protocols and procedures, as well as with field staff who implement these procedures and deliver training. Additionally, the position involves working with a small team of junior curriculum developers and technical support staff, alongside NEON leadership and quality management teams, to ensure the identification and prioritization of training needs. The role requires applying principles of adult learning theories and instructional design models to create effective training programs for technical field staff. The Sr. Instructional Designer will design, develop, implement, and evaluate training curriculum and learning modules in various formats, including in-person instructor-led, online self-guided, synchronous instructor-led, and blended training. They will oversee the creation and maintenance of training materials, prepare and deliver interactive instructional sessions, develop training capabilities for certified trainers, and monitor the effectiveness of training programs. The position also involves assessing training gaps, updating curricula, and exploring opportunities to scale NEON's curriculum to external scientific research networks and educational institutions.

Responsibilities

• Apply principles of adult learning theories, learning styles, and instructional design models to create and maintain successful training programs for technical field staff.

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• Design, develop, implement, and evaluate training curriculum and learning modules in various formats, including in-person instructor-led and online self-guided training.

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• Oversee the creation and maintenance of training materials by a team of curriculum developers and subject matter experts.

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• Prepare and deliver interactive instructional sessions to trainers on using the curriculum and effective training methods.

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• Develop training capabilities for and monitor the effectiveness of approximately 35 geographically dispersed certified trainers.

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• Oversee assessment processes and tools for identifying training gaps and evaluating trainee abilities and trainer effectiveness.

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• Update, revise, and improve upon curricula and advise on innovative approaches to enhance training outcomes.

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• Participate in ongoing training optimization efforts and explore scaling of NEON curriculum to external networks and institutions.

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• Consult, collaborate, and communicate effectively with program leadership, subject-matter experts, trainers, and field staff.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant technical field with 8 years of experience in instructional design for adult learners, or equivalent education and experience.

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• Expert knowledge of adult learning and instructional design principles and best practices.

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• Experience with content creation for professional training programs focused on workforce development and continuing education.

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• Experience designing and conducting engaging learning techniques for a geographically dispersed workforce.

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• Ability to develop engaging course materials in various formats that lead to successful implementation of field and lab procedures.

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• Familiarity with scientific data collection protocols.

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• High attention to detail and ability to work independently and as part of a team.

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• Demonstrated ability to lead a team proactively.

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• Familiarity with learning management systems and authoring tools.

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• Proficiency with MS Office suite products.

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• Excellent communication skills, both spoken and written.

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• Effective problem-solving skills and ability to manage multiple projects.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience with video-enabled training for next generation workforce training.

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• Familiarity with environmental science or ecology.

Benefits

• Paid time off to support work-life balance.

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• Medical, dental, and vision coverage with wellness incentives.

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• Coverage for partners and family formation support.

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• 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer contributions and matching.

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• Tuition assistance for higher education.

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