Instructional Systems Designer / Program Manager

Instructional Systems Designer / Program Manager
Position Summary
DarkStar Intelligence seeks a highly skilled Program Manager with expertise in instructional systems design and program management to lead and oversee contractor personnel on-site in Washington, D.C. This full-time, day-shift position requires a TS/SCI clearance and emphasizes leadership, innovation, and technical proficiency. The successful candidate will manage program operations, ensure compliance with contract requirements, and address performance issues while collaborating with government representatives. Leveraging tools like Blackboard and Captivate, the role involves developing instructional materials aligned with the ADDIE design model and ensuring adherence to accessibility standards and industry best practices. A PMP certification and demonstrated experience in instructional design, adult learning strategies, and program evaluation are essential for this dynamic and impactful role.
 
Location: Washington, D.C.
Schedule (FT/PT): Full-Time
Travel Required: No
Shift: Day
Remote Type: No remote work
Security Clearance: Current TS/SCI
Polygraph: Counterintelligence Polygraph (Preferred)
 
Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Leverage extensive knowledge and expertise in Program Management to provide technical guidance, oversee contract administration, and ensure contract compliance.
• Serve as the Program Manager for all contractor personnel on-site, addressing performance issues, facilitating communication, and ensuring personnel adhere to established work-hour and leave policies.
• Act as the primary point of contact for escalating unaddressed or unresolved performance concerns to the government point of contact and Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR).
• Ensure contractor personnel understand the chain of communication for all personnel and performance-related matters.
• Oversee the creation and delivery of instructional materials using classroom-based and virtual course resources provided by agency subject matter experts to address performance gaps effectively.
• Apply the ADDIE design model to projects, encompassing instructional systems design documentation, storyboarding, scripting, exam development, instructional aids, curricula, and collaboration with multimedia specialists for graphic design, animation, and video production.
• Develop, test, and deploy courseware in the Learning Management System (LMS) test environment, ensuring adherence to customer requirements.
• Utilize Blackboard and Captivate at a practical level while maintaining a working knowledge of other eLearning tools and applications as required.
• Stay updated on current developments in learning management systems to ensure cutting-edge course design and delivery.
• Ensure compliance with copyright laws, the Council on Occupational Education (COE) standards, organizational instructional systems design policies, Section 508 accessibility standards, DoD Directive 8000.01, DoD Manual 8400.01, and Web Content Accessibility Guidelines.
• Collaborate to design and implement blended learning strategies that integrate face-to-face and online instruction.
• Provide foundational expertise in classroom and eLearning instructional design, performing quality assurance and peer reviews for instructional systems design plans, courses, and materials.
• Develop professional-level presentation materials to support course delivery and instructional goals.
• Regularly participate in meetings with project stakeholders, including clients, subject matter experts, and end users, to align instructional goals with project requirements.
• Conduct Needs Analysis, Job Analysis, Task Analysis, and Gap Analysis to ensure instructional solutions meet identified performance requirements.
• Track project schedules and progress to ensure timely delivery of high-quality instructional products within established development parameters.
• Produce impactful instructional outcomes tailored for adult learners in a dynamic and fast-paced work environment.
• Provide quality assurance oversight for all instructional products created by Journeyman ISD personnel, ensuring adherence to high standards of instructional design.

Minimum Qualifications

• Current Top Secret/SCI Clearance
• Counterintelligence Polygraph (Preferred)
• Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification: Required for this position.
• Experience Requirements:
  • Without an Appropriate Degree: At least six (6) years of experience and practical-level knowledge and expertise in instructional systems design processes and terminology.
  • With an Appropriate Degree:
    • A Master's degree in an appropriate field (e.g., Instructional Design, Instructional Technology, Adult Learning/Andragogy) from an accredited college or university.
    • At least two (2) years of experience working with training programs.
• Practical Knowledge and Expertise in the Following Areas (or Equivalent Coursework):
  • Learning Theory, Psychology of Learning, Educational Psychology:
  • Understanding of learning theories and their application to the systematic design, development, and validation of instructional media.
• Instructional systems design Practices:
  • Application of principles and techniques for designing training programs.
  • Development of effective design strategies, models, and methods for enhancing instructional effectiveness.
• Educational Evaluation:
  • Techniques for evaluating instructional/educational program effectiveness.
  • Development of written and performance tests, survey instruments, and reliability/validity assessments for evaluation tools.
• Instructional Product Development:
  • Techniques for developing training materials, including:
  • Identifying learner characteristics.
  • Specifying objectives.
  • Applying training strategies.
  • Validating and evaluating training materials.
• Computers in Education and Training:
  • Application of computer technologies in educational and training contexts, including the selection of appropriate tools and platforms.

Salary Range
$160,000 – $168,000
This pay range is a general guideline and not a guarantee of specific compensation or salary. When extending an offer, DarkStar Intelligence considers various factors, including (but not limited to) the job's responsibilities, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, market data alignment, applicable bargaining agreements (if any), and other relevant laws.