Instructional Designer Jobs in New York

Thank you for considering a career with the Research Foundation of The City University of New York (RFCUNY).

The team at RFCUNY is made up of dedicated, talented professionals committed to providing the services that allow CUNY researchers, faculty, and staff to focus on their intellectual curiosity and scientific discoveries.

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About the CUNY School of Professional Studies:

As a leading online school in New York since 2006, the CUNY School of Professional Studies (CUNY SPS) offers the most online bachelor's and master's degree options at the City University of New York, and serves as the University's first undergraduate all-transfer college. With 26 degrees and numerous other non-degree and grant-funded workplace learning programs, CUNY SPS meets the needs of adults who wish to finish a bachelor's degree, progress from an associate's degree, earn a master's degree or certificate in a specialized field, and advance in the workplace or change careers. Consistently ranked highly by U.S. News & World Report for its online offerings, CUNY SPS has emerged as a nationwide leader in online education. The School's renowned and affordable online programs ensure that busy working adults may fulfill their educational goals on their own time and schedule. As CUNY SPS moves beyond its’ 20th year, we dedicate ourselves to engendering an innovative and transformative student-centered experience.

Within and created at the same time as CUNY SPS, the Office of Innovative Learning Solutions (ILS) designs custom workplace learning programs to help organizations achieve their goals. We are experts in research-based learning practices, online as well as in-classroom curriculum development and implementation. We are uniquely positioned to respond to organizational learning needs and support change management initiatives swiftly and effectively.

Partnership Description: CUNY SPS ILS partners with the New York City Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) to provide foundational and continuous professional development learning for child welfare and juvenile justice direct service staff and supervisors through ACS’s Office of Training and Workforce Development (OTWD). OTWD encompasses three entities: ACS James Satterwhite Academy, the ACS Workforce Institute and the ACS Institute for Leadership Development.

Position Description:

CUNY SPS is seeking a creative, collaborative, and learner-centered Instructional Designer to join the Learning and Development Project Management Office (PMO) at the ACS Workforce Institute (ACSWI).

The Instructional Designer will collaborate with a multidisciplinary project team to design, develop, and enhance engaging, accessible, and outcomes-driven learning programs for adult learners. Reporting to the Senior Instructional Designer, this role will translate complex subject matter into clear, practical, and interactive learning experiences that support workforce development and professional practice.

The successful candidate will apply instructional design methodologies and adult learning principles to develop high-quality instructor-led (ILT) and virtual instructor-led (VILT) training programs. Working closely with project managers, product owners, subject matter experts (SMEs), and other members of the development team, the Instructional Designer will contribute to the full learning design process, from content analysis and learning objectives through instructional materials, assessments, and continuous improvement.

Position Duties and Responsibilities:

Instructional Design and Development

• Design and develop engaging, learner-centered instructor-led (ILT) and virtual instructor-led (VILT) training programs grounded in adult learning principles and evidence-informed instructional design practices.
• Translate complex subject matter into clear, accessible, and practical learning experiences that support knowledge acquisition, skill development, and application to professional practice.
• Develop comprehensive instructional design documents, course outlines, storyboards, and other design deliverables that establish course structure, content flow, learning activities, and assessment strategies.
• Create high-quality learning materials, including facilitator guides, participant handouts, learner workbooks, presentation decks, case studies, scenarios, job aids, and other instructional resources.
• Develop and refine measurable learning objectives aligned with course content, instructional strategies, and assessment methods.
• Design and revise Level 2 learning assessments that measure knowledge acquisition and achievement of learning objectives.
Incorporate appropriate opportunities for learner engagement, practice, reflection, discussion, and application throughout the learning experience.

Collaboration and Project Delivery

• Collaborate with project managers, the ACS product owner, SMEs, and other development team members to analyze learning needs, validate content, and shape effective instructional approaches.
• Facilitate the translation of SME expertise into well-organized, instructionally sound, and learner-focused training content.
• Incorporate stakeholder feedback and review comments into design deliverables while maintaining instructional quality, consistency, and alignment with project requirements.
• Manage assigned deliverables across multiple projects, meeting established timelines, milestones, quality standards, and documentation requirements.
Communicate design decisions, identify potential challenges, recommend solutions, and proactively raise issues that may affect project scope, quality, or delivery.

Quality Assurance and Continuous Improvement

• Review, update, and maintain existing ILT and VILT curricula and instructional materials to ensure accuracy, relevance, consistency, and alignment with current learning objectives.
• Apply accessibility principles and inclusive design practices to support diverse learner needs and promote equitable access to learning.
• Conduct quality reviews of instructional materials for content accuracy, clarity, organization, visual consistency, and alignment with established design standards.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of learning programs by incorporating stakeholder feedback, assessment findings, and emerging instructional design practices.
• Stay current with instructional design methodologies, adult learning research, educational technologies, and approaches that enhance learner engagement and effectiveness.
Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in instructional design, education, educational technology, learning and development, or a related field with at least three years of professional experience designing and developing adult learning programs, with demonstrated experience in instructor-led (ILT) and virtual instructor-led (VILT) training. A master's degree in a related discipline is preferred or more than three years of professional related experience performing the duties outlined above.
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex information and subject matter into clear, engaging, accessible, and instructionally sound learning experiences.
• Experience implementing adult learning principles and developing measurable learning objectives and aligning instructional content, learning activities, and assessments to intended learning outcomes.
• Experience creating instructional design documents, course outlines, storyboards, facilitator guides, learner workbooks, presentation materials, and other learning assets.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to articulate instructional design decisions, present ideas clearly.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Experience with graphic design, visual communication, and the layout of professional learning materials.
• Familiarity with accessibility standards and inclusive instructional design practices, with the ability to apply accessibility considerations when developing learning content.
• Strong analytical, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills, including the ability to organize complex information and identify effective instructional approaches.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage competing priorities, coordinate multiple assignments, and meet established deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a collaborative, project-based team.
• Ability to receive, interpret, and incorporate feedback while maintaining quality, consistency, and alignment with project requirements.
• Initiative, creativity, sound judgment, and a commitment to continuous learning and professional development.
Strong customer service and stakeholder engagement skills, with a solution-oriented approach to addressing challenges and advancing project goals.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing interactive eLearning using authoring tools such as Articulate Storyline and Rise.
• Experience with multimedia learning development, including video production and editing, audio editing, voiceover, narration, and related technologies.
Familiarity with Adobe Creative Cloud applications, including Firefly, Premiere Pro, Illustrator, and InDesign.

To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume.

Please note: Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States on a continuous basis. Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Location: 110 William Street, Lower Manhattan, NY

Pay Range:

Minimum - Maximum: $90,000

RFCUNY Benefits

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
The Research Foundation of the City University of New York is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Americans with Disabilities Act/E-Verify Employer. It is the policy of the Research Foundation of CUNY to provide equal employment opportunities free of discrimination based on race, color, age, religion, sex, pregnancy, childbirth, national origin, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, domestic violence victim status, arrest record, criminal conviction history, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.