Instructional Designer/Accessibility Specialist

A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation's top public universities. Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn.

One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.

University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks that include numerous retail and restaurant discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates for performing arts events.

The mission of the School of Nursing is to enhance and improve the health and well-being of the people of North Carolina and the nation, and, as relevant and appropriate, the people of other nations, through its programs of education, research, and scholarship, and through clinical practice and community service. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Nursing has been the leader in nursing education in North Carolina throughout its history. Established in 1950, it was the first school of nursing in North Carolina to offer a four-year baccalaureate nursing degree program followed by the first master's degree program, the first continuing education program for nurses, first doctoral program, and first accelerated BSN option to students with college degrees. Today, the School is renowned for its academic programs, its research and its commitment to clinical and community service within state, national and global communities.

The Instructional Designer/Accessibility Specialist reports to the Assistant Dean for Innovation in Teaching & Learning ( ADITL) within Academic Affairs in the School of Nursing. The Instructional Designer/Accessibility Specialist supports faculty and staff in designing high-quality, inclusive, and accessible learning experiences across online, hybrid, and face-to-face environments. This role combines expertise in instructional design principles with deep knowledge of accessibility standards to ensure compliance with ADA, Section 504, and WCAG guidelines. The instructional designer/accessibility specialist collaborates with faculty, instructional designers, and educational technology support to create engaging, learner-centered content that meets diverse student needs.

This individual will partner with faculty to brainstorm, develop, implement, and evaluate innovative, pedagogically sound instructional solutions. This individual assists with curricular processes throughout all School of Nursing education programs, including pre-licensure, MSN, DNP, and PhD, ensuring all curricula align with defined program outcomes. The instructional designer/accessibility specialist will work closely with the ADITL and members of the Informational and Instructional Technologies ( IIT) team.

This position requires a highly motivated, organized, and independent self-starter who is curious, creative, and willing to take steps to implement innovative instructional strategies within a collaborative and team-oriented environment. This individual must be a creative thinker who can transcend current practices, build opportunities to advocate for change, support, and communicate effectively with faculty, and work in a diverse, cross-functional environment with excellent presentation, written, and oral communication skills, as well as interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities:

Instructional Design

o Partner with faculty to design and develop courses aligned with best practices in pedagogy.

o Create instructional materials, multimedia content, and assessments that promote active learning and student engagement.

o Apply Universal Design for Learning ( UDL) principles to support diverse learners.

Accessibility

o Audit and remediate digital course content for accessibility compliance ( WCAG 2.1 AA, ADA, Section 504).

o Provide guidance on accessible document creation, captioning, alt text, and screen reader compatibility.

o Train faculty and staff on accessibility best practices and tools.

o Advocate for exceptional visual design and user experience for faculty and students.

Technology Integration

o Support the use of learning management systems ( LMS) and educational technologies.

o Recommend tools and strategies to enhance accessibility and usability.

Collaboration & Support

o Serve as a resource for accessibility-related questions and instructional design strategies.

o Work closely with university and school departments.

o Other duties as assigned.

Bachelor's degree and one year of experience related to the area of assignment; or equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Demonstrated experience in instructional design for higher education or a similar setting.
Knowledge of accessibility standards ( WCAG, ADA, Section 504) and assistive technologies.
Proficiency with LMS platforms (e.g., Moodle, Canvas, D2L, etc.) and common educational tools (e.g., Panopto, Poll Everywhere, etc.).
Strong communication and collaboration skills.
Experience managing multiple projects, prioritizing work, and meeting deadlines.
Ability to use different technologies (e.g., Panopto, Zoom, Padlet, Qualtrics, etc.)

Course work in Instructional Design, Educational Technology, or related field.
Certification in accessibility (e.g., CPACC, WAS) or instructional design.
Experience with multimedia development and captioning tools.
Familiarity with Universal Design for Learning ( UDL) and inclusive pedagogy.
Any advanced certifications or education
Knowledge of and experience with Quality Matters (QM) Higher Education Rubric (course certifications, APPQMR, peer reviewer, etc.)

If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the Office of Human Resources at (919) 843-2300 or send an email to employment@unc.edu

Please note: The Office of Human Resources will not be able to provide specific updates regarding position or application status.

The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply without regard to age, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.