Protect our Land, Ascend with Us!

Ascension is seeking an Instructional Systems Designer (ISD) to support FEMA’s National Training and Education Division (NTED) in enhancing the quality, consistency, and effectiveness of national preparedness training programs. The ideal candidate will bring experience in instructional design, curriculum development, adult learning methodologies, and training evaluation to support the review and improvement of all-hazards training materials used across the emergency management community.

This position is designed for an experienced instructional design professional who understands how to evaluate training products, identify opportunities for improvement, and translate complex technical or operational requirements into effective learning solutions. The successful candidate will be detail-oriented, analytical, and comfortable collaborating with subject matter experts, training developers, and government stakeholders to improve training effectiveness and learner outcomes.

The candidate should have experience reviewing curriculum materials, assessing instructional quality, applying instructional design principles, and supporting training modernization efforts. Experience supporting government, homeland security, emergency management, public safety, or workforce development programs is highly valued.

Summary of Contractor Role

The Instructional Systems Designer will provide instructional design and curriculum evaluation support for FEMA NTED’s Training Partners Program (TPP). The contractor will support reviews of all-hazards training curricula, evaluate course content and delivery approaches, identify instructional gaps, and provide recommendations to improve training effectiveness.

The role requires a professional who can analyze instructional materials, validate alignment with learning objectives, evaluate training methodologies, and support continuous improvement activities. The ISD will collaborate with training stakeholders, instructors, and subject matter experts to ensure training products meet FEMA quality expectations and support mission readiness.

The ideal candidate will possess strong analytical skills, excellent written communication abilities, and the ability to independently manage assignments while coordinating with multiple stakeholders.

Position Responsibilities / Expected Activities

The Instructional Systems Designer will:

• Review all-hazards training curricula, instructor materials, learner materials, and supporting documentation to evaluate instructional quality and effectiveness.
• Analyze course objectives, learning outcomes, instructional strategies, and assessment methods for alignment with FEMA training requirements.
• Evaluate training products using instructional design principles, adult learning methodologies, and established curriculum review practices.
• Identify curriculum gaps, inconsistencies, outdated content, and opportunities for instructional improvement.
• Develop recommendations for curriculum revisions, enhancements, and modernization initiatives.
• Support training delivery audits by reviewing instructor practices, course execution, learner engagement, and training effectiveness.
• Participate in curriculum Review Boards and provide objective assessments of training materials and delivery approaches.
• Collaborate with subject matter experts, instructors, program managers, and government stakeholders to validate curriculum improvements.
• Document findings, observations, recommendations, and quality review results through reports, evaluation summaries, and briefing materials.
• Apply instructional systems design methodologies to support development and improvement of training products.
• Support accessibility reviews, including Section 508 considerations, to improve usability and accessibility of training materials.
• Maintain awareness of emerging instructional technologies, learning approaches, and training evaluation practices.