What does an instructional systems designer do?
An instructional systems designer specializes in developing training solutions in adherence to the objectives of a program or project. Their responsibilities include identifying the needs of projects and programs, performing extensive research and analysis, gathering and analyzing existing systems' data to identify their strengths and weaknesses, studying feedback from various parties, and developing test structures. Moreover, an instructional systems designer must maintain an active communication line with the instructional systems team, coordinating while adhering to the company's policies and regulations.
Instructional systems designer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real instructional systems designer resumes:
- Manage the company SharePoint and information distribution program.
- Develop PowerPoint presentations, instructor and student guides, and job aids using ISD methodologies and strategies.
- Utilize the ADDIE model to design and develop instructional material for training courses according to adult learning principles.
- Collaborate with SMEs to organize instructional content to support desire learning outcomes.
- Work collaboratively with SMEs and technical writers to effectively translate aviation procedures into meaningful training materials.
- Perform market research for new training technologies to ensure compliance with (SCORM) requirements.
- Support the design of curricula according to instructional principles of ADDIE, client objectives, and program objectives.
- Resolve conflicts, determine development schedules, point of contact for ISD and formatting questions, mentore junior personnel.
- Convert existing instructor-le curriculum into eLearning courses.
- Develop eLearning modules for internal global audience.
- Produce PowerPoint presentations as training aids to curriculum.
- Design to upgrade existing training in PowerPoint and documentation.
- Design and develop instructor-led, computer-assist instruction which are SCORM compliant.
- Develop evaluation criteria and evaluates technical proposals and work statements submit by commercial contractors or in-house resources.
- Design and develop HTML page navigation prototypes.
Instructional systems designer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 7% of Instructional Systems Designers are proficient in Subject Matter Experts, Instructional Design, and SMEs. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Decision-making skills.
We break down the percentage of Instructional Systems Designers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Subject Matter Experts, 7%
Consulted and collaborated with subject matter experts, including communications specialists, electronics technicians, and IT professionals regarding content.
- Instructional Design, 7%
Lead instructional designer; analyzed, designed, developed, implemented, and evaluated Instructor-Led-Training for Northrop Grumman shipyard personnel.
- SMEs, 6%
Worked collaboratively with SMEs and technical writers to effectively translate aviation procedures into meaningful training materials.
- Instructional Systems, 5%
Analyzed, designed, and developed instructional systems, curriculum, and state-of-the-art applications for computer-aided training and information delivery systems.
- ISD, 4%
Provided ISD support for AN/TPQ-50 Radar and Petroleum and Water Systems (PAWS) IMI instruction courses for the US Army.
- Course Content, 4%
Reviewed course content for educational and instructional soundness.
Common skills that an instructional systems designer uses to do their job include "subject matter experts," "instructional design," and "smes." You can find details on the most important instructional systems designer responsibilities below.
Analytical skills. One of the key soft skills for an instructional systems designer to have is analytical skills. You can see how this relates to what instructional systems designers do because "instructional coordinators evaluate student test data and teaching strategies." Additionally, an instructional systems designer resume shows how instructional systems designers use analytical skills: "analyze content and learner environment to identify appropriate instructional strategies and define learning objectives. "
Communication skills. Another essential skill to perform instructional systems designer duties is communication skills. Instructional systems designers responsibilities require that "instructional coordinators need to clearly explain changes in the curriculum and teaching standards to school staff." Instructional systems designers also use communication skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "major accomplishments: project lead for voip communications wbt. "
Decision-making skills. instructional systems designers are also known for decision-making skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to instructional systems designer responsibilities, because "instructional coordinators must be decisive when recommending changes to curriculums, teaching methods, and textbooks." An instructional systems designer resume example shows how decision-making skills is used in the workplace: "advance distributed learning (adl) department-determined the learning objectives required by the military and task relationships. "
Interpersonal skills. instructional systems designer responsibilities often require "interpersonal skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "instructional coordinators need to be able to establish and maintain positive working relationships with teachers, principals, and other administrators." This resume example shows what instructional systems designers do with interpersonal skills on a typical day: "designed and facilitated interpersonal skills classes focused on employee development of emotional intelligence. "
Leadership skills. Another common skill required for instructional systems designer responsibilities is "leadership skills." This skill comes up in the duties of instructional systems designers all the time, as "instructional coordinators serve as mentors to teachers." An excerpt from a real instructional systems designer resume shows how this skill is central to what an instructional systems designer does: "promoted to a leadership position responsible for managing an isd team tasked to develop the training courseware. "
The three companies that hire the most instructional systems designers are:
- Leidos23 instructional systems designers jobs
- Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (finra)16 instructional systems designers jobs
- Booz Allen Hamilton7 instructional systems designers jobs
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Compare different instructional systems designers
Instructional systems designer vs. Certified performance technologist
A vocational training instructor is responsible for teaching students with the subject expertise needed to land a job for a specific industry requirement. Vocational training instructors are the same as regular instructors as they also identify the students' strengths and weaknesses, manage their learning expectations, and develop personalized teaching plans to address difficulties. They conduct examinations and regular assessments to test the students' knowledge and learning, which is crucial to determine their level of moving up.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between instructional systems designers and certified performance technologist. For instance, instructional systems designer responsibilities require skills such as "instructional design," "smes," "instructional systems," and "isd." Whereas a certified performance technologist is skilled in "linux," "safety glasses," "hvac," and "clean environment." This is part of what separates the two careers.
The education levels that certified performance technologists earn slightly differ from instructional systems designers. In particular, certified performance technologists are 16.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than an instructional systems designer. Additionally, they're 1.7% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Instructional systems designer vs. Vocational training instructor
A curriculum developer is responsible for managing instructional materials, providing recommendations to the teachers, and making adjustments to the current student's curriculum to adhere to the highest educational standards and policies. Curriculum developers also facilitate and offer assistance for any implemented procedures. They also manage and address concerns regarding the learning standards and consider recommendations for curriculum improvement. A curriculum developer must have extensive knowledge of the education system to plan out the necessary teachers' training and coaching.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that instructional systems designer responsibilities requires skills like "subject matter experts," "instructional design," "smes," and "instructional systems." But a vocational training instructor might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "customer service," "cpr," "training sessions," and "instructional methods."
Vocational training instructors may earn a lower salary than instructional systems designers, but vocational training instructors earn the most pay in the government industry with an average salary of $67,279. On the other hand, instructional systems designers receive higher pay in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $71,031.In general, vocational training instructors achieve lower levels of education than instructional systems designers. They're 10.1% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 1.7% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Instructional systems designer vs. Technology infusion specialist
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from instructional systems designer resumes include skills like "subject matter experts," "instructional design," "smes," and "instructional systems," whereas a technology infusion specialist is more likely to list skills in "chemotherapy," "usp," "syringes," and "catheter. "
Technology infusion specialists typically earn lower educational levels compared to instructional systems designers. Specifically, they're 18.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 1.7% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Instructional systems designer vs. Curriculum developer
Even though a few skill sets overlap between instructional systems designers and curriculum developers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, an instructional systems designer might have more use for skills like "learning solutions," "course design," "instructional content," and "training development." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of curriculum developers require skills like "java," "cloud computing," "sql," and "professional development. "
In general, curriculum developers earn the most working in the technology industry, with an average salary of $65,147. The highest-paying industry for an instructional systems designer is the technology industry.The average resume of curriculum developers showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to instructional systems designers. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 0.3% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 2.2%.Types of instructional systems designer
Updated January 8, 2025
