Instructional Systems Design (ISD) Specialist

Position Title: Instructional Systems Design (ISD) Specialist
Location: Quantico, VA (Russell Knox Building)
Work Modality: 100% On-Site (SCIF Environment)
Security Clearance: Active Top Secret / Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI)

About Team Carney

Carney is an industry leader in human performance, adult learning, and knowledge architecture across the federal defense sector. We empower national defense professionals by designing scenario-driven, rigorous instructional programs that reflect real-world operational challenges.

Position Overview

Carney is looking for a talented Instructional Systems Design (ISD) Specialist to develop cutting-edge classroom, eLearning, and blended learning course materials for the JCITA curriculum at Quantico, VA. Operating inside a secure SCIF environment, the ISD Specialist applies recognized instructional systems design models (e.g., ADDIE) and adult learning theory to analyze, design, and evaluate training that addresses field-driven performance gaps in Counterintelligence (CI) and Security Operations (SECOPs).

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Design and develop instructor-led training (ILT), virtual classroom materials, interactive practical exercises, scenario props, narrative scripts, storyboards, and comprehensive instructor guides (CDRL A009, A010).

• Collaborate closely with military and civilian Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), course chairpersons, and government stakeholders to translate highly complex, classified DoD intelligence topics into effective learning interventions.

• Conduct formal needs assessments, job-task analyses, and performance gap analyses to shape terminal and enabling learning objectives.

• Ensure all instructional designs and courseware strictly conform to Council on Occupational Education (COE) accreditation standards and JCITA instructional policies and procedures.

• Provide rigorous quality assurance and peer review across design plans, courseware packages, assessments, and presentation materials.

• Partner with multimedia programmers and e-Learning developers to conceptualize engaging visual aids, digital media elements, and distributed learning modules.

• Maintain scheduled milestones to ensure course materials are finalized and submitted NLT one (1) day following completion of new course development or updates (CDRL A008/A009).

Required Minimum Qualifications (Hard Contractual Baselines)

• Security Clearance: Must hold an active, verified Top Secret / SCI (TS/SCI) clearance at the time of proposal and award.

• Education & Experience (Must meet Path A or Path B):

  • Path A: Bachelor’s degree in Curriculum Development, Instructional Design, Human Resource Development, Education, or a directly equivalent degree AND at least five (5) years of experience developing course materials for complex DoD subject matter; OR

  • Path B: Professional certificate in Instructional Design AND at least seven (7) years of experience developing course materials for complex DoD subject matter.

• Domain Mastery: Expert knowledge of adult learning theory, educational evaluation principles, and standard instructional design frameworks.

• Communication Skills: Demonstrated superior written and verbal communication skills with a proven portfolio of instructional design plans, storyboards, and student guides.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience designing curriculum for DoD Counterintelligence, HUMINT, or Special Operations communities.

• Demonstrated familiarity with COE accreditation self-studies and compliance documentation.

• Experience integrating SCORM-compliant distributed learning courseware into enterprise DoD Learning Management Systems.