Instructional Support Specialist

Muskegon Community College 

Muskegon Community College is a center for lifelong learning that helps people attain their educational goals by offering programs that respond to individual, community, and global needs. MCC is an associate degree-granting institution of higher education and an applied technology leader for high-tech, hands-on training.

With nearly a 100-year history of academic excellence, MCC is a public community college accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. With robust student success support, free tutoring, 18 athletic teams, events, clubs, and activities, MCC has an annual, full-time equated student enrollment of approximately 2,300 and an unduplicated headcount of 5,100.

Most recently, Muskegon Community College outranked all other colleges in Michigan for the rate of students who received federal financial aid and then transferred to continue their education at a four-year institution. The college’s transfer-out rate was the highest in Michigan, 7 percentage points above the state average, and outpaced the average transfer rate across the nation. MCC is nationally recognized for its liberal arts and occupational programs. 

The College has an annual operating budget (general fund) of $44 million and employs about 210 regular full and part-time staff and many adjunct faculty and student assistants. The College also offers 56 Associate degree programs and 29 certificate programs.  

The main campus is located on a 111-acre campus in Muskegon which includes the Hendrik Meijer Library & Information Technology Center, Bartels-Rode Gymnasium, Frauenthal Foundation Fine Arts Center (including the Overbrook Theater and Art Gallery), Stevenson Center for Higher Education, the Science Center, the Health and Wellness Center, and the Art & Music Center.  

Muskegon Community College also operates the Sturrus Technology Center and Fab Lab in downtown Muskegon and extension centers in Ottawa and Newaygo Counties.

Living in Muskegon County 
Muskegon County residents enjoy 26 miles of sugar-sand beaches along Lake Michigan’s shoreline, as well as one of America’s only luge tracks at the Winter Sports Complex and the regionally popular Michigan’s Adventure Amusement & Water Park. An outdoor recreation hub with three state parks and swimming, fishing and boating on its many lakes and rivers, the Muskegon area offers dynamic downtown and beachfront restaurant and entertainment venues. The Muskegon Farmer’s Market is the second largest in Michigan. Cruise ships dock in Muskegon, while a high-speed ferry connects the city to Milwaukee. Notable local museums range from rare art collections to an actual World War II submarine and a U.S. Navy ship used during D-Day. 

General Description:

The Instructional Support Specialist provides technical and pedagogical support to faculty and staff in the development, delivery, and maintenance of online instructional materials that interface with the college’s LMS (Blackboard Ultra) across all course modalities. As the administrator for the college’s instructional software, this position plays a crucial role in enhancing the educational experience by helping faculty and staff understand, use, and troubleshoot digital resources and instructional learning technologies.

Status: Full-Time 40 hours/52 weeks

Salary Range: Up to $75,000 depending on experience

Application Deadline: First Review on April 28th, 2025; Open until filled.

Qualifications: Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

1. Bachelor's degree in educational learning technologies, educational design, education, or related field. 

2. Minimum two years’ experience teaching or working in higher education related to instructional design, software, LMS Management, production coordination, distance learning, or instructional technology; community college setting preferred.

3. Strong understanding of, or certifications in, current online learning best practices, instructional design principles, and accessibility guidelines (e.g., ADA, UDL, WCAG).

4. Proficiency in multimedia development tools, video editing software, digital content creation, and other instructional technology tools. 

5. Experience working with third-party textbook or software vendors and integrating digital course materials into an LMS. 

6. Excellent customer service, communication, problem-solving, and collaboration skills. 

7. Demonstrated use of tact, judgment, discretion, and ability to relate to people of all ages, races, and social-economic backgrounds. 

8. Ability to facilitate trainings and workshops for faculty and staff with varying levels of technical proficiency.

9. Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously. 

10. Ability to work additional or variable hours as required including weekends and evenings.

11. Highly motivated and solution oriented with a high degree of integrity, ethics and dedication to the mission of the college.

Essential Function:

1. Provide support, training, and troubleshooting for faculty and staff in the use of instructional learning technologies.  

2. Deploy, populate, combine, and maintain online course shells throughout the year using the college’s LMS: Blackboard Ultra. 

3. Assist faculty with course design, ensuring compliance with accessibility standards and current best practices in instructional design. 

4. Manage BbSupport email by closing all tickets submitted in a timely, friendly manner.  

5. Coordinate with OIT, departments, registration, and 3rd party vendors to install and configure software plugins. 

6. Provide guidance and conduct workshops, trainings, and consultations on course organization, assessments, interactive learning experiences, Open Educational Resources (OER), multimedia content development, and other instructional technology topics and tools. 

7. Assist in the evaluation and selection of new instructional technologies and software to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes. 

8. Work closely with third-party textbook vendors to ensure seamless integration of digital course materials into Blackboard Ultra. 

9. Provide support for faculty in the use of Simple Syllabus for syllabus creation and management. 

10. Maintain knowledge of emerging trends and current best practices in instructional design, educational technology, and higher education pedagogy. 

11. Develop and update instructional guides, tutorials, and other resources to support faculty and student success. 

12. Serve on committees including but not limited to the Distance Education Advisory Committee, the Center for Teaching and Learning Advisory Committee, and the Technology Council. 

13. Track CTL usage and maintain up-to-date records. 

14. Perform other duties as assigned.  

Physical, Mental, and Environment Requirements Include:

Mental Demands:

☒ Detailed Work   

☐ Student Contact

☒ Deadline oriented   

☒ Problem Situations         

☒ Multiple Priorities & Demands     

☒ Emergency Situations

☒ Confidentiality                  

☐ On-call Availability

☒ Continual Interruptions       

☒ Working Alone

☒ Faculty Contact      

☒ Working with Others           

Physical Demands:

☒ Standing & Walking 

☒ Sitting

☐ Reclining     

☒ Carrying              

☒ Lifting up to 10 lbs.          ☐ Up to 25 lbs.         ☐ Up to 50 lbs.        ☐ 80 + lbs.

☐ Pushing, Pulling, Twisting, Bending     

☐ Climb or Balance

☐ Stoop, Kneel, Crouch, or Crawl  

☐ Squatting 

☐ Handle or Feel      

☐ Reach with Hands and Arms

☒ Talking or hearing                 

☐ Tasting/Smelling

☐ Working Overhead         

☒ Speak in English via Phone or In Person

☐ Close, Distance, Peripheral, and Color Vision along with Depth Perceptions

☒ Ability to Adjust and Focus

Work Environment:

☐ Exposure to wet, humid conditions (non-weather), fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals; extreme heat/cold; and moderate to loud noise levels.

☒ Normal Office environment with little, if, any, discomfort due to heat, dust, noise and the like. Ability to travel to all campus locations required.

Muskegon Community College is an equal opportunity employer. MCC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, political persuasion, disability, height, weight, veteran status, age or any other protected class in any of its educational programs, activities or employment. Minorities, women, veterans, and the physically challenged are encouraged to apply. To the extent required by applicable law, anyone with a disability will be reasonably accommodated by the College. If you have a disability and need an accommodation or assistance in applying for this position, please contact the Human Resources Office.