Instructional Design Specialist Job Posting
About this Opportunity
Actua has an immediate opening for an Instructional Design Specialist in Ottawa, Ontario.
Actua is a national charity that delivers life-changing experiences to youth in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). We achieve this through our network of member organizations located at universities and colleges across Canada and through our own Outreach Team that delivers STEM programming in areas not yet served by our network members.
We are looking for a highly motivated and creative STEM enthusiast who will join our Outreach Team to develop and deliver locally and culturally relevant science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) programs. These include school workshops, summer camps, public events, and other initiatives as they arise. The majority of our Outreach Team programs are developed for audiences in northern remote areas of the country, including the Arctic, and primarily in Indigenous communities.
This position will report to the Director of Outreach.
What you will do
Content Development
- Develop and iterate on complex STEM and digital skills content which reflects the strategic goals and topic areas outlined by senior leadership, focusing on creating engaging, hands-on learning experiences that meet all quality assurance standards including by adhering to safety, pedagogy and EDI review processes.
- Rigorously test and prototype all newly developed activities in advance of instructor training or program delivery to proactively troubleshoot technical issues, verify material safety, and ensure instructional clarity.
- Adapt content to meet a variety of delivery environments and cultural contexts of the diverse communities Actua serves within Actua’s national programs.
- Develop comprehensive material lists and support purchasing and shipping plans tailored to specific project needs and timelines.
- Operate within established content lifecycles, ensuring all created assets meet Actua's professional documentation, versioning, and archiving standards.
- Support the maintenance of the inventory system for program materials, including tracking for material usage, technological equipment, and purchasing workflows.
- Contribute to the development of educator professional development modules.
Program Delivery
- Deliver content locally and across Canada, traveling to fill geographic and strategic gaps in the network. This may include school workshops, land-based camps, and educator professional learning conferences.
- While travelling, the Instructional Design Specialist will at times be responsible for safely, legally, and professionally operating a rental vehicle should one be required and is expected to maintain a valid driver’s license.
- Travel may also include remote fly-in only communities
- Use direct delivery as a strategic opportunity to field-test new content and innovative delivery models, gathering real-time feedback to refine content and approaches.
- Facilitate content training sessions for seasonal instructors, network members, and educators to ensure they can confidently deliver newly developed activities.
- Provide technical support and troubleshooting for instructors during program delivery and when piloting new content.
- Participate in recruitment events, local festivals, and/or conferences as they arise, some of which may occur outside of regular business hours.
Stakeholder Engagement
- Provide recommendations for working with new content partners and community organizations to build locally and culturally relevant programming.
- Assist with facilitating content partnerships as they arise.
- Work with SMEs, researchers and other content partner contacts to translate high-level expertise into youth-friendly STEM content.
Evaluation & Reporting
- Work with the Evaluation team to understand how findings can inform content projects, design and strategy.
- Contribute to formal reporting for external stakeholders and funders, providing detailed updates on STEM content development and program delivery.
- Support the Communications team to share key messages, success stories, and content that showcase Actua’s leadership and innovation in the national STEM landscape.
About You
- You have laser-focused attention to detail and take pride in the quality of your work;
- You’re a self motivated learner that loves to explore and can quickly pick up new concepts;
- You are flexible and are able to pivot from one area of work to another with ease;
- You are adaptable and can adjust your work based on feedback and changing requirements;
- You possess excellent interpersonal skills and are an effective communicator both written and orally;
- You are an exceptionally organized person who takes pride in keeping your files up to date-and accurate;
- You are a great team player. You are excited about the opportunity to work with other members of Actua and external partners.
Qualifications
The ideal candidate is committed to supporting youth participation in STEM through life-changing experiences. Additional desired skills and experiences:
- Undergraduate degree (in related field: education, STEM, Indigenous studies);
- 1-2 years experience developing and writing lesson plans and activities for youth;
- Knowledge of Actua’s outreach programming and/or background in education or youth outreach;
- Valid driver’s license and clean driving record;
- Demonstrated experience tracking projects and documenting procedures;
- Understanding of unique logistical travel challenges within rural/remote and Northern communities is an asset;
- Experience collaborating with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit partners and communities is an asset;
- Bilingualism (French and English or Inuktitut and English) is an asset;
- A teaching certificate in a province or territory is an asset.
Why work with us
In this role, you will have the opportunity to make a national impact by joining an organization that is committed to breaking barriers to STEM. Actua’s National Indigenous Youth in STEM (InSTEM) Program, National Girls Program and other programs are designed to engage underrepresented and underserved youth populations across Canada. Each year, Actua and its growing network of 43 college and university-based members engage over 375,000 youth in exciting, hands-on experiences that help build their skills and confidence in STEM. We anticipate continued growth over the coming years, which will provide tremendous opportunity for you to grow with us.
The annual base salary range for this position is $51,000 - $66,000. We offer a competitive benefits package including paid time off, access to group health & medical benefits, and RRSP matching. For more information about us, please visit .
To Apply
Please submit your cover letter and resume as a single PDF document on the Actua employment page. If you have work samples, such as a professional portfolio and/or links to campaigns you have developed, please include them with your application.
Actua is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to accessible employment practices. If you require accommodation for any part of the selection process, please notify us, and we will work with you to meet your needs.
This job posting represents an existing and active vacancy within our organization.
Actua will not be utilizing Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in the candidate screening process. All applications will be reviewed and evaluated exclusively by human recruiters and hiring managers.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: $51,000.00-$66,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Dental care
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- RRSP match
- Vision care
Flexible language requirement:
Education:
- Bachelor's Degree (preferred)
Work Location: In person
