Job Description

Junior Instructional Designer
Caspian Learning is the world’s leading developer of immersive simulations and educational games for training and education. Located in Sunderland, Caspian are looking for a Junior Instructional Designer to join their team within an exciting busy production studio.

Reporting directly into the Head of Instructional Design, you will develop exciting and cutting edge scripts for learning based games and eventually take a full role in building the games. We are looking for recent graduates with an academic background in games, film, creative writing, or instructional design.

The Role
The Instructional Designer will be part of a team responsible for the writing, implementation and maintenance of a range of games based learning materials and technologies. The successful applicant will be able to brainstorm exciting learning scenarios that can be turned into games. The successful applicant will also be able to take the “brainstormed” ideas and build a written scene concept and production script from them.

Individuals will be responsible for completing high-quality deliverables that are instructionally sound, complete, accurate, and achieve learning objectives clearly and creatively. Candidates must demonstrate excellent writing and analysis skills, the ability to logically organize and present content, and to work well in a team.

Working in a dynamic and challenging environment, candidates for the post should hold a first degree (or equivalent) and should possess excellent communication and computer skills, along with a commitment to customer-focused service and empathy for academic objectives.

Key Responsibilities
- Gather, master, synthesize and organize complex content from subject matter experts (SMEs), documentation, and individual research
- Work with the instructional design team to define measurable objectives based on content and discussions with SME/client
- Support a learner centred focus to ensure that the Games Based Learning design effectively supports the learning objectives
- Develop user requirements for Games Based Learning tools in cooperation with the Games Based Learning software developer, administrator, students and staff
- Identify interactive elements to enhance the teaching and learning experience
- Create knowledge check or assessment questions including situational or scenario based-questions that contribute to mastery of learning/performance objectives
- Create scope documents, design documents, storyboards, and other materials for blended and Games Based Learning solutions
- Implement production scripts for Games Based Learning
- Ensure the material is developed to comply with quality standards
- Proactively communicate status, issues, and potential scope increases to management
- Proactively consult and brainstorm design challenges with peers, supervisors, and managers
- Incorporate feedback from peers, supervisors, and managers into own design process

Qualifications/Skills Required

- A first degree in a creative subject
- Passport
- Ability to work in a fast-paced iterative environment
- Ability to think outside the box to identify new, fun, and effective ideas for Games Based Learning
- Ability to consider both the big picture and the details
- Ability to prioritise workload and work flexibly within tight deadlines
- Ability to communicate with people at all levels with confidence and authority in relation to complex technical issues
- Ability to create and assimilate new material rapidly
- Willingness to work flexibly as required, delivering completed tasks on time
- Logical approach to analysis and problem solving
- Ability to demonstrate a good understanding of the design constraints with web production (i.e. platform/browser differences and bandwidth constraints)
- Commitment to team working as necessary to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of the service, including inter-departmental "virtual" teams.
- Close attention to detail and a high level of accuracy in all areas of work
- An outstanding portfolio featuring game, movie, or fiction writing samples
- Good cinematic sensibilities
- Creativity