The Academic Technologist will work at the intersection of education and technology, and will collaborate with faculty, staff and students to help bring teaching and learning ideas to life in sustainable, engaging, accessible, technology-enhanced ways. This position works with the Academic Technology team to explore, promote, support, and implement the effective and innovative use of new and existing instructional technologies to enhance teaching and learning. This position will also support the discovery, implementation, adoption and development of tools to support creative teaching and learning approaches.
Reporting to the Manager for Online and Instructional Technology, the Academic Technologist works within the Information Technology Services department.
What an Academic Technologist at Clark does:
> Consult with and support faculty and other constituents in projects that promote technology-enhanced teaching and learning; achieve this by collecting ideas, identifying resources, and implementing solutions; these solutions should follow best practices in technology adoption and instructional design and satisfy a broad range of differing priorities and considerations.
> Support core teaching and learning tools by establishing comprehensive knowledge of tool functionality, a deep understanding of opportunities and limitations of each, and a keen insight into the learner's experience; deliver support in a wide variety of ways, including individual, small group, large group, in-person, by phone, online, etc.
> Serve as an application administrator for teaching and learning applications, including the learning management system, lecture capture systems, academic content repositories, content management systems, survey tools, etc.; collaborate with IT and the Academic Technology Services team to advise in the discovery, adoption, implementation, support, and assessment of new teaching and learning platforms, tools, and technologies.
> Collaborate with the Academic Technology Team and other constituents to design, develop, and deliver resources and outreach, including but not limited to self-help documents, online tutorials, and face-to-face and virtual workshops.
With the Academic Technology Team, build and manage a team of student workers to support the departmental goals by hiring, training, supervising, and offering professional development to a diverse group of enthusiastic students.
> Explore and share new and emerging technologies that enhance teaching and learning; Work collaboratively to achieve the goals and mission of Academic Technology Services, ITS, and the institution.
> All positions at Clark University share in the responsibility for building a community that values diversity and the uniqueness of others by exhibiting integrity and respect in interacting with all members of the Clark community to create an atmosphere of fairness and belonging.
> Minimum of three years experience in promoting and supporting technology-enhanced teaching and learning. Experience in higher education preferred.
Experience designing, producing, and supporting innovative, accessible, and pedagogically sound learning experiences in multiple modalities, with and without technology.
> Experience administrating and supporting teaching and learning tools, including an LMS. Experience with Canvas is preferred.
> Excellent technical skills, ability to adapt and learn new technology quickly and enthusiastically; experience with the following technologies is required: Windows and Apple operating systems, Microsoft Office Suite; experience with the following technologies is desirable: WordPress, web development languages such as HTML, CSS, Python, PHP, etc.
> Excellent written and presentation skills, including communicating effectively with people at varying levels of technical fluency, explaining and documenting complex technical issues in a way that non-technical people may understand, and designing, delivering, and assessing faculty development programming.
> Experience working independently and as part of a team; the ability to identify and set priorities, adapt to changing priorities, and work concurrently on multiple tasks and projects.
> Strong problem-solving skills, project management skills, change management skills, and a proven ability to build trust and work well with all levels of management and technical staff.
> Team player with excellent consulting skills and a fun but professional presence.
> Excellent customer service skills and a high degree of integrity relative to computer security and confidentiality of information required.
> Prior experience working with and contributing to a diverse workplace with the ability to interact effectively with a broad range of constituents on campus
> Ability to work nights and weekends on an as-needed, but infrequent, basis is required.
Master's degree in education, instructional technology, instructional design, or related field required; additional years of experience may be considered in lieu of advanced degree requirement.
About Clark University:
Founded in 1887, Clark was one of the first all-graduate institutions in the United States. Today the University is a highly-ranked, student-centered institution educating approximately 2,350 undergraduate and 1,150 graduate students to be imaginative and contributing citizens of the world and to advance the frontiers of knowledge and understanding through rigorous scholarship and creative effort. This commitment to scholarship and inquiry reflects the University's commitment to "challenge convention and change our world" and to address issues of critical importance to society. It is also reflected by Clark's many national and international distinctions, including recognition for its diversity and inclusion efforts, innovation, community engagement and impact, as a top green campus, and for having a distinguished geography and international development program. Clark has also been included in the groundbreaking Colleges that Change Lives guide since it was first published in 1996.
Clark is located in Worcester, Massachusetts, a dynamic, diverse city "on the rise." The second largest city in New England, Worcester is home to 11 institutions of higher learning and is increasingly recognized for its growing healthcare and biotechnology communities, its thriving cultural scene, and as a vibrant food hub.