Sr. Instructional Designer - Field Science Training

Battelle delivers when others can't. We conduct research and development, manage national laboratories, design and manufacture products and deliver critical services for our clients-whether they are a multi-national corporation, a small start-up or a government agency.

We recognize and appreciate the value and contributions of individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences and welcome all qualified individuals to apply.

Company Overview

Battelle manages and operates the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) program, which is solely funded by the National Science Foundation. A 30+ year project dedicated to understanding how changes in climate, land use and invasive species impact ecology, the observatory's scientists and engineers are collecting a comprehensive range of ecological data on a continental scale across 20 eco-climatic domains representing US ecosystems. Our teams use cutting-edge technology, including an airborne observation platform that captures images of regional landscapes and vegetation; mobile, relocatable, and fixed data collection sites with automated ground sensors to monitor soil and atmosphere; and trained field crews who observe and sample populations of diverse organisms and collect soil and water data. Once structures are completed, a leading-edge cyberinfrastructure will calibrate, store and publish this information. The Observatory includes more than 500+ personnel and is the first of its kind designed to detect and enable forecasting of ecological change at continental scales.

Job Summary

We are currently seeking a Sr. Instructional Designer - Field Science Training . This hybrid position is located in Boulder, CO , but will consider remote locations.

The Sr. Instructional Designer will be part of the NEON Education and Engagement team that is responsible for developing and maintaining training programs and content for our 350+ field staff (the majority of whom are seasonal employees) stationed at multiple sites across the U.S. Our curriculum supports training on terrestrial and aquatic biological and environmental sampling procedures, and maintenance of ground-based sensors at NEON's 81 field sites using a combination of in-person and online instruction, field and lab practice sessions, and on-the-job training.

The Sr. Instructional Designer will offer subject matter expertise in developing and facilitating the vision, process, and assessment of a high-quality training program. This includes creating and maintaining training content and materials aligned with program priorities and needs and a competency framework via NEON's learning management system that enables assignment and tracking completion of training components tailored to a variety of roles and responsibilities.

The Sr. Instructional Designer works collaboratively with NEON headquarters scientists and engineers responsible for writing protocols and procedures as well as with the field staff who implement procedures and deliver training. This position will also work closely with a small team of junior curriculum developers and technical support staff as well as NEON leadership and quality management teams to ensure appropriate identification and prioritization of training needs.

Responsibilities

• Apply principles of adult learning theories, learning styles, and instructional design models to create and maintain successful and efficient training programs for technical field staff, both full-time and temporary, performing biological and environmental sampling and sensor maintenance

• Design, develop, implement and evaluate training curriculum and learning modules in a variety of training formats, including in-person instructor-led, as well as online self-guided, synchronous instructor-led, and blended training

• Oversee the creation and maintenance of training materials by the small team of additional curriculum developers, subject matter experts, and technical support staff, in accordance with field procedures and protocols (consisting of lesson plans, instructor-led and self-guided presentations, recorded lectures, instructional videos, written and online authentic assessments, and performance-based assessments)

• Prepare and deliver interactive instructional sessions (in-person and virtually) to trainers on using the curriculum and methods for providing effective training to early-career field ecologists and instrument engineers

• Develop training capabilities for and monitor the effectiveness of approximately 35 geographically dispersed, certified trainers responsible for training full-time field staff

• Oversee assessment processes and tools for identifying training gaps and needs, evaluating trainee abilities and trainer effectiveness, and evaluating effectiveness of curricula at meeting learning objectives within the limits of available resources (time and personnel)

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

• Actively participate in ongoing training optimization efforts

• Participate in efforts to explore the scaling of NEON curriculum to external scientific research networks and educational institutions (e.g., minority-serving institutions)

• Consult, collaborate, and communicate effectively with program leadership, subject-matter experts, trainers, and field staff to develop and maintain a cohesive and relevant training program

• Contribute to other deliverables as needed

Key Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant technical field, with 8 years of experience in designing, developing, implementing, and evaluating instruction for adult learners; or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience in a related field.

• Expert knowledge of adult learning and instructional design principles and best practices, as well as current and emerging trends and methods in the learning and workforce development industries, including just-in-time and video-enabled training for next generation workforce training.

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

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

• The ability to develop engaging course materials in a variety of formats that result in successful implementation of field and lab procedures and applying content knowledge to solve real-world problems.

• Familiarity with scientific data collection protocols.

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

• Demonstrated ability to be proactive and successfully lead a team.

• Familiarity with learning management systems and authoring tools.

• Proficiency with MS Office suite products.

• Excellent communication skills, both spoken and written.

• Effective problem-solving skills and ability to work on multiple projects at a time and act on changing priorities.

• Ability and willingness to travel to field sites (up to 10% time).

• Must be US Citizen.

Salary

Salary: $83,000 - $100,000 a year

This information reflects the anticipated base salary range for this position based on current national data. Minimums and maximums may vary based on location. Individual pay is based on skills, experience and other relevant factors.

Benefits: Live an Extraordinary Life

We care about your well-being, not just on the job. Battelle offers comprehensive and competitive benefits to help you live your best life.

• Take time to recharge : You get paid time off to support work-life balance and keep motivated.

• Prioritize wellness : Stay healthy with medical, dental, and vision coverage with wellness incentives and benefits plus a variety of optional supplemental benefits.

• Better together : Coverage for partners, gender-affirming care and health support, and family formation support.

• Build your financial future : Build financial stability with an industry-leading 401(k) retirement savings plan. For most employees, we put in 5 percent whether you contribute or not, and match your contributions on top of that.

• Advance your education : Tuition assistance is available to pursue higher education.

A Work Environment Where You Succeed

For brilliant minds in science, technology, engineering and business operations, Battelle is the place to do the greatest good by solving humanity's most pressing challenges and creating a safer, healthier and more secure world.

You will have the opportunity to thrive in a culture that inspires you to

• Apply your talent to challenging and meaningful projects

• Receive select funding to pursue ideas in scientific and technological discovery

• Collaborate with world-class experts in an inclusive environment

• Nurture and develop the next generation of scientific leaders

• Give back to and improve our communities

Vaccinations & Safety Protocols

Battelle may require employees, based on job duties, work location, and/or its clients' requirements to follow certain safety protocols and to be vaccinated against a variety of viruses, bacteria, and diseases as a condition of employment and continued employment and to provide documentation that they are fully vaccinated. If applicable, Battelle will provide reasonable accommodations based on a qualified disability or medical condition through the Americans with Disabilities Act or the Rehabilitation Act or for a sincerely held religious belief under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (and related state laws).

Battelle is an equal opportunity employer. We provide employment and opportunities for advancement, compensation, training, and growth according to individual merit, without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, age, genetic information, disability, veteran-status veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable Federal, state, or local law. Our goal is for each staff member to have the opportunity to grow to the limits of their abilities and to achieve personal and organizational objectives. We will support positive programs for equal treatment of all staff and full utilization of all qualified employees at all levels within Battelle.

The above statements are intended to describe the nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, activities and skills required of staff members. No statement herein is intended to imply any authorities to commit Battelle unless special written permission is granted by Battelle's Legal Department.

For more information about our other openings, please visit ~~~/careers