This position is open until filled with an initial application review to take place on June 18, 2025.

The starting salary range for this position is $6180.00 - $7313.00 per month depending upon qualifications and is non-negotiable.

FUNCTION OF THE UNIT

Academy for Professional Excellence, a project of San Diego State University School of Social Work, was established in 1996 with the goal of revolutionizing the way people work to ensure the world is a healthier place. Our services integrate culturally responsive and recovery-oriented practices into our daily work to promote healing and healthy relationships. Providing approximately 50,000 learning experiences to health and human service and justice system professionals annually, the Academy provides a variety of workforce development solutions in Southern California and beyond. With five programs, three divisions and over 100 staff, the Academy’s mission is to provide exceptional learning and development experiences for the transformation of individuals, organizations, and communities. 

As a member of the Academy team you will be engaging in communal development of heart, mind, and practice. You are expected to foster culturally responsive practice behaviors to promote well-being and a culture that focuses on healing, healthy relationships and changed behaviors.

The Curriculum Development Specialist position is housed in the Strategy, Development, & Organizational Advancement Division (30 employees) within the Learning and Brand Development Unit (15 employees) which is responsible for strategic development of learning, products, and practices that strengthen our organizational culture, brand identity, and ability to fulfill our promise. Specifically, the position will be part of the Workforce Development and Management Team (7 employees). The overall Division nurtures organizational health and facilitates innovation by building responsive and proactive evaluation, strategy, and system solutions grounded in data, best practice, and collaborative partnerships.

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

Under the general direction of the Curriculum Supervisor, the Curriculum Development Specialist is responsible for the development of curricula that meet the needs across each program within the Academy. This role is central to ensuring that curriculum initiatives are executed efficiently through effective collaboration, strategic relationship management, and continuous process improvements. The Curriculum Development Specialist also serves as a remediation expert, identifying and addressing gaps in curriculum materials and processes to ensure high standards of accessibility, compliance, and usability.

This is a new position for the WMD team, and part of the expectations for this employee will include a later opportunity to provide the Curriculum Supervisor and Learning & Development Operations Manager with recommendations to enhance its function within the Academy.

SPECIFIC DUTIES

This is a 40- hour a week, remote, full-time position working M-F from 8:00 to 4:30 p.m. and is based on contract funding subject to annual renewal. The position is subject to intermittent overnight travel and work shifts outside of normal business hours including weekends and evenings. This position is based in California with a regular on-site work location of Riverside, CA.

Note: some duties may include working with and/or exposure to sensitive/traumatic topics or material dealing with child abuse, abuse against older adults and adults with disabilities, and/or issues and scenarios related to mental health, substance use, or racism.

The Academy is a project of the San Diego State University Research Foundation, which is grant-funded and serves as an auxiliary to the University. The Academy is based near, but not on campus, and does not have direct responsibilities for working with or teaching college students.

The Academy is currently working to update employee classifications. This position may be subject to a future classification change, however, this does not change the role, responsibilities, or compensation of the position.

CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT & RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT (40%) 

• Cultivate, nurture and manage relationships with curriculum writers, subject matter experts, and service providers.
• Offer expert consultation and constructive feedback to curriculum writers, rooted in best practices for instructional design and adult learners.
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• Lead and facilitate meetings with internal and external collaborators.
• Actively listen to collaborator feedback, assess training needs, and adjust curriculum plans as necessary to improve outcomes.
• Guide curriculum revisions to maintain relevance, ensure up-to-date content, and strengthen learning outcomes for adult learners through targeted improvements.
• When needed, maintain and update a meticulous curriculum database and interact within Academy systems (Access Planit, Zoho, CACWT, etc.).
• Participate and support evaluation efforts by gathering and interpreting feedback, identifying areas for improvement, and supporting data-driven course corrections.

CURRICULUM OPERATIONS & PROCESS IMPROVEMENT SUPPORT (25%)  

• Support the Curriculum Supervisor in optimizing and centralizing curriculum management processes.
• Contribute to the development and refinement of policies, procedures, and operational guidelines that streamline workflows, improve efficiency, and are rooted in culturally-responsive and recovery-oriented practice.

ACCESSIBILITY STANDARDS & REMEDIATION (20%)

• Remediate curriculum materials and Academy resources, as needed, meeting accessibility and Universal Design standards.
• Develop and uphold standards for remediation work by creating and maintaining effective policies and procedures.
• Lead centralized accessibility compliance efforts, ensuring adherence to laws, regulations, and technical standards across all programs and initiatives.
• Oversee accessibility remediation projects that are done by service providers.
• Provide training and support to staff on accessible course design and remediation of materials.
• Apply culturally-responsive and recovery-oriented principles in all remediation work.

SPECIAL PROJECTS & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (10%) 

• Assist in special projects and committee work as assigned by the Curriculum Supervisor.
• Stay up to date on adult learning principles, instructional design trends, and curriculum design best practices.
• Stay informed on latest remediation techniques, ADA compliance standards and remediation tools (e.g., screen readers, color contrast tools).
• Support training and development opportunities for service providers.
• Contribute to a culture of continuous learning, professional growth, and collaborative problem-solving that is grounded in cultural responsiveness and recovery orientation.

OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED (5%) 

• Perform other duties as assigned which are in the best interests of the Academy for Professional Excellence.
• Travel to off-site locations for Academy and Program meetings (primarily in Riverside and San Diego).

 KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES (KSAs)

• Deep understanding of adult learning theories (e.g., andragogy, constructivist learning, experiential learning).

• Expertise in Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504, Section 508, and WCAG standards.
• Excellent ability to consult on curriculum outcomes, learning objectives, and assessment strategies for adult learners.
• Highly-skilled at identifying needs, suggesting proven solutions, and leading successful implementation in various learning settings.

• Ability to work independently with minimal guidance.
• Strong ability to manage and organize complex projects for timely delivery.
• Ability to conduct accessibility audits for instructional materials, online courses, and learning platforms.
• Ability to successfully remediate curriculum and learning materials, with an accessibility score of 85% or above.
• Ability to stay solutions-oriented.
• Excellent active listening skills and high EQ.
• Ability to adapt and communicate effectively in complex situations.
• Ability to demonstrate a high level of cultural responsiveness and empathy.

• Ability to understand and follow posted work rules and procedures.
• Ability to display good judgment and critical thinking skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including a sound foundation in English grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Knowledge of culturally-responsive and recovery-oriented principles.

MINIMUM EDUCATION

• Equivalent to a bachelor's degree and/or equivalent training and administrative work experience involving study, analysis, and/or evaluation leading to the development or improvement of administrative policies, procedures, practices, or programs.
  

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE

• 5-years of progressively responsible experience performing varied or specialized administrative and analytical duties and/or service as a program administrator.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree or higher in Instructional Design, Education, Learning & Development, Educational Technology, Special Education or a related field.

• Two (2) years of experience designing training programs that are culturally-responsive, recovery-oriented and accommodate diverse learning styles and neurodivergent learners.

• Two (2) years of experience in coaching, facilitating, and leading teams across varying functions.

• Experience with learning management systems (LMS), e-learning tools, and digital curriculum formats (e.g., eLearnings, virtual training delivery).
• Direct experience with remediation, assistive technologies, alternative learning formats, and Universal Design principles.

ADDITIONAL APPLICANT INFORMATION:

• A background check (including a criminal records check)  and/or Livescan (fingerprint) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position with SDSU Research Foundation/KPBS
• San Diego State University Research Foundation is an EEO/AA/Disability/Vets Employer 

ADDITIONAL APPLICANT INFORMATION

• Candidate must reside in California and live within a commutable distance from SDSU at time of hire.
• Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on background check results (including a criminal record check).
• San Diego State University Research Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, SDSU Research Foundation provides equal opportunity in employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin or any other categories protected by federal or state law.  
• Employment decisions are based on an individual’s qualifications as they relate to the job under consideration. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every employee has equal access to resources and support. 
• SDSU Research Foundation complies with Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), and other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws including grant or contract terms and conditions related to funded program activities. Further the SDSU Research Foundation maintains a Nondiscrimination Policy that prohibits discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all programs, policies, and practices.  
• SDSU Research Foundation makes all employment decisions including, but not limited to, applicant screening, hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, benefits, disciplinary actions, and terminations on the basis of merit.