Instructional Technology Specialist

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Why join the Harvard Graduate School of Education?

The Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE) is a diverse community of learners, teachers, and employees who are passionate about changing the world through education and striving for maximum impact in the field of education.

Many choose to work at the Harvard Graduate School of Education because they believe in our mission and are excited by our vision for the future. We have a reputation as a great place to work, for our excellent leadership, and we are a strong community that values diversity. For more information about HGSE, its programs, research, and faculty, please visit: www.gse.harvard.edu.

Reporting to the Senior Director of Academic and Instructional Technologies (Senior Director), the Specialist for Instructional Technologies provides hands-on, operational support for learning management systems (currently Canvas and LXP), integrated instructional and AI enhanced academic technologies, and similar platforms, products, and services. The Specialist is responsible for executing assigned tasks related to instructional technology output (including course content, training materials, documentation, and multimedia) in an accessible manner in alignment with Harvard’s digital accessibility standards, WCAG 2.1 AA.

Working under the guidance and direction of the Senior Director, the Specialist provides direct support for the portfolio of applications supporting academic programs, professional education, and business units that leverage similar services for outreach and education to the HGSE community and its constituents.

The role requires technical and analytical skills to support routine integration efforts, troubleshooting, incident resolution, and basic coding and configuration tasks to address customization, branding, accessibility, and visual identity requirements of HGSE. More advanced technical work is performed under the supervision of the Senior Director or a designated project lead.

The position is additionally responsible for providing standardized training to faculty and their support staff, including Digital Accessibility, the use of instructional and AI supported academic tools, both in group settings and through one-on-one appointments. All trainings, training materials, and user documentation must be designed and delivered in accordance with Harvard’s digital accessibility standards. In addition to supporting daily operations, the Specialist for Instructional Technologies maintains awareness of emerging trends in academic and AI driven technologies and researches options for determining suitability within the HGSE service catalog under the advisement and direction of the Senior Director.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

Operations and Maintenance Activities (80%)

• Provides day-to-day operational support for day-to-day operations of instructional technology and AI enhanced services to the HGSE community.
• Ensures that instructional technology outputs (including course sites, documents, media, assessments, and other artifacts) and associated workflows meet Harvard’s digital accessibility standards.
• Responds to requests and assists with Canvas and other learning management system users to determine requirements for course websites and assists with:
  • selection and basic configuration of appropriate instructional and AI assisted tools,
  • site design and organization, and
  • design and formatting of course materials (e.g., documents, multimedia, assessment instruments), ensuring compliance with Harvard’s digital accessibility standards and WCAG 2.1 AA.
• Serves as a subject matter resource on Harvard learning management systems, integrated instructional tools, and related AI supported features and services.
• Delivers standardized training to the HGSE community, including faculty, teaching fellows, faculty assistants, PPE program administrators, and similar end users through regular training programs and consultations, including:
  • introductory and intermediate use of the LMS and integrated tools/LTIs,
  • basic use of approved AI supported academic tools (e.g., AI assisted content creation, quizzes, feedback or analytics tools) within institutional guidelines,
  • appropriate, ethical, and accessible use of AI in teaching and learning, following school and university policies, and
  • effective practices for creating and maintaining accessible digital course content and activities that meet WCAG 2.1 AA standards.
• Ensures that all training sessions (in person and online), training materials, recordings, and handouts are accessible and conform to Harvard’s digital accessibility standards.
• Assists in installing, configuring and maintaining approved instructional and AI supported tools and plug-ins/LTIs within the LMS and related systems, following established procedures and under the direction of the Senior Director, with attention to accessibility features where applicable.
• Partners with operations and infrastructure teams to share current experiences and contribute input to their strategic direction and future investments; escalates complex design or strategic decisions to Senior Director.
• Understands and executes escalation protocols for service issues that cannot be resolved by the service operations team. Communicates issues to HUIT, HGSE Service Owners, and others for resolution.
• Assists the HGSE service center team in categorizing and triaging instructional technology and AI related tickets and requests.
• Collects and maintains metrics and key performance indicators related to service delivery, plug-in/LTI usage, and performance of AI enabled academic tools, following established reporting standards and templates, and incorporates accessibility-related metrics where available and appropriate.

Research in Emerging Technologies (10%)

• Monitors new trends in academic, instructional, and AI driven technologies and, under the advisement of the Senior Director, documents findings and makes recommendations for proof of concept, prototype, and pilot initiatives, including assessment of accessibility implications and alignment with WCAG 2.1 AA.
• Assists with the setup, configuration, and operational support of approved pilots and prototypes of instructional tools, under the direction and supervision of the Senior Director or a designated project lead, ensuring that accessibility considerations are incorporated into evaluation and implementation activities.
• Participates in relevant school and university wide groups, communities of practice, or collaborations across Harvard to share research, experience, and lessons learned with new initiatives and innovative efforts surrounding academic technologies, artificial intelligence, and accessibility.

Other Duties (10%)

• Performs other operational duties as assigned that are consistent with the scope of a unionized staff position, including but not limited to:
  • routine content and course site management,
  • basic data collection and reporting,
  • preparation of documentation, and
  • first level support for instructional and AI enabled academic tools.
• Ensures that all documentation, communications, and other artifacts produced as part of these duties conform to WCAG 2.1 AA.
• Assists with more advanced or specialized tasks (such as complex integrations, advanced AI topics, or custom coding) under the supervision, direction, and review of Senior Director or designated project lead.

Basic Qualifications:

• BA degree
• 1-2 years experience using Canvas in a support or administrator capacity
• Candidates should submit a cover letter and resume as a single PDF document. Any applicant wishing to be considered for this position should indicate that they meet all of the basic requirements in either the cover letter or resume.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

Due to the sensitive and confidential nature of student data handled in this role, applicants must not be currently enrolled in any Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE) degree program. This requirement is in place to prevent potential conflicts of interest and to ensure the integrity and confidentiality of student information.

• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
• Compensation Range/Rate (including Shift Differential if applicable): $75,000 - $77,000 commensurate with experience
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity

Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 055. Please visit  Harvard's Salary Ranges  to view the corresponding salary range and related information. 

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to: 

• Generous paid time off including parental leave 
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one 
• Retirement plans with university contributions 
• Wellbeing and mental health resources 
• Support for families and caregivers 
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement 
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks 

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page. 

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.