Job Summary

The Special Projects Coordinator at the Student Success Centre (SSC) is a specialized instructional design role within Student and Enrolment Services at the University of Calgary. Functioning as an “eLearning Architect,” you will be responsible for the end-to-end development of online learning modules specifically tailored for distance learners. This role requires the “wit” to translate complex academic integrity and writing support concepts into engaging digital content and the “grit” to execute high-demand projects within a 6-month limited term.

Job Details

Employer: Student Success Centre, University of Calgary.
Position Type: Full-time, Limited Term (Approximately 6 months).
Reporting To: Coordinator, Academic Integrity Programs.
Core Function: Instructional Design & eLearning Development.

Key Responsibilities: The Digital Learning Lifecycle

You will bridge the gap between traditional academic support and the specific needs of the University’s growing distance-learning population.

eLearning Design & Implementation: Design, test, and launch online learning modules using industry-standard tools like Articulate Storyline. Your focus will be on high-demand topics such as writing instruction and academic integrity.
Needs Assessment & Research: Conduct environmental scans and literature reviews to understand the unique challenges faced by distance learners, ensuring resources are evidence-based.
Quality Assurance: Design feedback mechanisms to assess student uptake and the overall effectiveness of the digital resources developed.
Project Management: Track timelines from ideation to completion, ensuring all deliverables meet the rigorous standards of the Student Success Centre.
LMS Integration: Work within the University’s Learning Management System (D2L/Brightspace) to ensure resources are accessible and functional for the student body.
Collaborative Support: Partner with Writing Tutors and Academic Development Specialists to ensure content is pedagogically sound and aligns with SSC priorities.

Candidate Profile & Qualifications

The “Educational Technologist”: A Master’s degree in Education with a specialization in Instructional Design, eLearning, or Educational Technology is required.
Software Mastery: 2–3 years of experience developing projects specifically using Articulate Storyline and managing content within Desire2Learn (D2L).
Instructional Wit: Demonstrated knowledge of instructional design principles and the ability to apply them to diverse learning support topics.
Organizational Grit: Strong planning skills with the proven ability to manage multiple demands and meet strict project deadlines independently.

Technical Insights: Designing for the Distance Learner

In a student success context, online modules must be more than “digital textbooks”; they must be interactive and inclusive.

Asynchronous Engagement: Since distance learners often work across different time zones, you will design modules that allow for self-paced, meaningful interaction without needing a live instructor.
Universal Design for Learning (UDL): You will likely apply UDL principles to ensure that writing and integrity resources are accessible to students with diverse learning needs and varying levels of digital literacy.
Academic Integrity Pedagogy: Your work with the Coordinator of Academic Integrity Programs will involve creating proactive educational tools that help students understand citation, paraphrasing, and ethical scholarship.

Diversity and Statistics at UCalgary

The University of Calgary is a leader in Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI), ensuring that digital learning environments are as welcoming as physical ones.

Digital Equity: UCalgary recognizes that distance learners come from diverse socioeconomic and geographic backgrounds. Your role is central to removing barriers to academic support for those who cannot visit the campus in person.
Indigenous Strategy (ii’ taa’poh’to’p): With 18 Elders serving as advisors, the university ensures that all student resources, including online modules, are developed with cultural competency and respect for Indigenous ways of knowing.
The “Entrepreneurial” Campus: As Canada’s most enterprising university, UCalgary encourages staff to think like “Innovators,” giving you the creative freedom to test new educational technologies and feedback practices.

Job Description

Do you believe that a student’s location should never be a barrier to their success? The University of Calgary is seeking a Special Projects Coordinator to join the Student Success Centre. We aren’t just “making slides”; we are building the digital bridge that connects distance learners to the world-class writing and academic support they deserve. If you have the “grit” to manage a 6-month development sprint and the “wit” to master Articulate Storyline and D2L, you belong in our team.

In this role, you are a “Student Success Facilitator.” You understand that a well-designed online module can be the difference between a student feeling isolated or empowered. Your goal is to provide “Excellence in Digital Learning,” ensuring that UCalgary remains a leader in student-centered support. We look for “Integrity-first” professionals who are collaborative, research-driven, and ready to contribute to Canada’s most entrepreneurial university.

Joining UCalgary means joining a top-ranked research institution in one of the world’s most livable cities. We offer a fast-paced, professional environment where your expertise in educational technology will have a direct impact on the academic journey of thousands of students. If you are an instructional designer with a commitment to “Innovation and Student Empowerment,” we invite you to apply and help us start something today.

University of Calgary: Daring to Imagine “Ahead of Tomorrow”

The University of Calgary (UCalgary) is defined by a culture of entrepreneurial spirit, audacity, and “can-do” Western energy. As one of Canada’s top five research universities, its mission—codified in the “Ahead of Tomorrow” strategic plan—is to tackle “wicked” societal challenges through transdisciplinary innovation. The workplace culture is rooted in collegiality and respect, emphasizing that “curiosity-driven investigation” thrives best in an inclusive environment. UCalgary moves with the speed of a startup but the responsibility of a public institution, fostering a “Living Lab” ecosystem where students and faculty are encouraged to be “pioneers at heart.”

The UCalgary footprint is a massive, multi-campus network that mirrors the diversity of the Alberta landscape:

Main Campus (NW Calgary): Spanning over 200 hectares, this is the university’s vibrant heart. It features the Taylor Family Digital Library, one of North America’s most technology-rich hubs, and the Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning, a pioneer in pedagogical research.
The Olympic Oval: A legacy of the 1988 Winter Games, this iconic facility is known for having the “Fastest Ice on Earth” and serves as a premier high-performance training center for athletes globally.
Foothills Campus: Located south of the main site, this is the epicenter of health innovation, home to the Cumming School of Medicine and the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, adjacent to the Foothills Medical Centre.
Downtown Campus: Situated in the heart of Calgary’s business district, this campus connects the university with industry leaders, offering professional programs and hosting the Haskayne School of Business executive education.
Spy Hill Campus: Located in northwest Calgary, this campus supports specialized research and clinical training for the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.

Working or studying here means being part of a top 100 global university for entrepreneurs. Whether you are engaging with Calgary’s business core or conducting genomics research, the experience is defined by the university’s commitment to “ii’ taa’poh’to’p”—its Indigenous Strategy—walking a parallel path toward truth and reconciliation while building a sustainable future.

To apply for this job please visit careers.ucalgary.ca.