Sr. Instructional Designer and Simulation Specialist

SPP is about more than power. We’re about the power of relationships. Our employees have the opportunity to work together to ensure electricity is delivered reliably and affordably to the millions of people living in our service territory. We have been voted one of Arkansas’ Best Places to work by Arkansas Business and we are looking for a member of our team who is passionate about our mission to keep the lights on!

We have a core ideology here at SPP that we stand by: Do the right thing, for the right reason, in the right way.

We believe in supporting our employees through a fantastic benefits package:

• Competitive and transparent pay with bonus opportunities
• Excellent insurance package including three great medical plans to choose from, employer-paid short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance
• Relocation bonus (if applicable)
• Hybrid working environment for positions that are eligible
• Fantastic contributions to your retirement through a 401(k) savings plan with employer-match benefits and a pension (defined benefit plan) fully funded by SPP

**PLEASE NOTE:** **SPP is not able to sponsor employment visas or student-work authorizations (STEM OPT) for this position. Please ensure you are eligible to work in the U.S. without sponsorship prior to applying.**

COMPENSATION INFORMATION

The salary range(s) represents our good faith estimate for the role at this time. While we strive to provide competitive and transparent compensation, there may be circumstances where an offer is above or outside of the listed range. We are open to discussing salary expectations with qualified candidates considering factors such as the candidate's qualifications, skills, competencies, experience and geographic location will all be considered during the hiring process.

Sr. Instructional Designer/Simulation Specialist Salary range: $87,950 – $112,190

Overview

The Senior Instructional Designer & Simulation Specialist serves as the organization's recognized subject matter expert for asynchronous learning, simulation-based instruction, multimedia development, and technology-enabled performance support. This position provides senior-level leadership in the design, development, implementation, and evaluation of training and performance support solutions that directly impact operator readiness, reliability, and operational excellence. The role independently leads complex instructional design initiatives, collaborates with technical subject matter experts and operational leaders, and serves as a strategic advisor on learning technologies, simulation, performance support tools, and emerging technologies, including automation and artificial intelligence. This position is responsible for ensuring training products meet regulatory, audit, governance, and operational requirements while using performance data, operational outcomes, and learner feedback to drive continuous improvement and investment decisions.

What you will do:

Analysis

• Serve as a thought leader in evaluating how emerging technologies, automation, and AI tools impact operations and training design strategies.
• Provide ownership and strategic oversight of the eLearning curriculum for desk certified operators, identified support staff and the operator in training onboarding.
• Analyze operational training needs in collaboration with system operators, engineers, and subject matter experts (SMEs) to ensure the delivery format and content align with the need.
• Evaluate job tasks, reliability-related tasks, and performance gaps to inform training solutions.
• Assess system changes, operational procedures, and emerging reliability risks to determine training impacts.
• Review feedback, assessment results, and performance data to identify opportunities for training improvement.

Consulting / Facilitation / Coordination

• Serve as a trusted advisor with trainers, SMEs, and operations leadership to translate operational requirements into effective eLearning solutions.
• Represent the organization in industry forums, working groups, and professional organizations, contributing to the advancement of BES operator education.
• Facilitate discussions with SMEs to validate technical accuracy and ensure alignment with real-time operations.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams to support simulation exercises, drills, and training events.
• Serve as a liaison between training, operations, and technical teams to ensure alignment and shared understanding.
• Support operator readiness initiatives by leading discussions and collaborating on training strategies and priorities.
• Partner with development teams on new and changing application software that may impact what a system operator does or sees – for training purposes.
• Coordinate the accessibility of all coursework with the Learning Management System and it’s administrator.
• Collaborate with staff and subject matter experts to pilot all new deliverables prior to implementation.
• Manage all efforts of the eLearning development strategy when collaborating with others regarding project initiatives, deliverables and timelines.

Design and Delivery

• Independently record, edit, produce, and publish audio, video, and multimedia assets to support asynchronous learning solutions.
• Develop advanced digital learning experiences utilizing video, animation, screen capture, interactive simulations, and performance support technologies.
• Oversee the development and maintenance of electronic performance support tools, simulation-based learning, and scenario-driven instruction.
• Establish design standards and quality assurance processes for digital learning products.
• Design and develop engaging learning solutions including eLearning, asynchronous courses, blended learning, and instructor-led materials.
• Develop a detailed lesson plan, scripts. deliverable dates and SME approval for all training deliverables to ensure compliance criteria and project/departmental timelines are met.
• Develop structured lesson plans, facilitator guides, participant materials, and guided speaker notes to ensure consistent delivery.
• Translate complex technical content into clear, structured, and instructionally sound training materials.
• Design and develop simulation scenarios in the GE Dispatch Training Simulator (DTS) that replicate real-world grid conditions.
• Build scenarios that support operator proficiency in reliability-related tasks, emergency operations, and restoration activities.
• Support delivery of simulation-based training events, including drills, exercises, and readiness assessments.
• Maintain and update training content and simulation scenarios to reflect system, model, and procedural changes.
• Integrate multimedia elements (audio, graphics, animations, video) into eLearning to enhance the learner’s experience.

Measurement

• Oversee eLearning operational success metrics, including utilization, completion rates, learner engagement, assessment outcomes, and operational performance indicators.
• Analyze performance data, learner feedback, and operational outcomes to identify opportunities for program improvement.
• Develop dashboards, reports, and performance metrics that demonstrate the value and effectiveness of learning investments.
• Use operational and training data to inform future program evolution and resource allocation.
• Assist in evaluating training effectiveness through assessments, observations, and participant feedback.
• Support tracking and reporting of training metrics related to operator performance and program effectiveness.
• Ensure alignment between learning objectives, training materials, and assessment methods.
• Contribute to continuous improvement efforts by incorporating evaluation data into training updates.

Other

• Provide senior-level guidance regarding the integration of procedures, tools, applications, and emerging technologies into Operations performance support frameworks.
• Partner with IT leadership and technical teams to ensure training supports the safe, effective, and responsible use of automation and artificial intelligence technologies.
• Research, evaluate, and recommend emerging learning technologies, simulation capabilities, and AI-enabled solutions that improve operational readiness.
• Maintain training documentation and records, including lesson plans, objectives, and course materials, in alignment with compliance expectations.
• Stay current on industry trends, instructional design practices, and simulation-based training methodologies.
• Support training aligned with NERC operator certification and desk qualification.
• Contribute to a culture of continuous improvement, operational readiness, and training excellence.
• Utilize modern learning technologies and authoring tools to enhance training effectiveness and engagement, including AI.
• Utilize a systematic approach to learning (ADDIE) for the development of online learning.
• Understand and comply with SPP Policies and Procedures.
• Foster a culture of compliance.
• Participate/lead special projects as assigned.
• Provide training assistance in areas of expertise to other employees, as needed.
• Research other technologies that may enhance the educational processes and create efficiencies
• Administrative (e.g., e-mails, documentation, etc.)

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in education, engineering, information technology, instructional design, or job-related field.
• 8 years Progressively responsible experience in instructional design, eLearning development, simulation-based training, performance support, or technical training within complex operational environments.
• 8 years Demonstrated experience leading large-scale eLearning initiatives, multimedia production efforts, and asynchronous learning programs.
• 8 years Experience independently managing instructional design projects from analysis through evaluation while partnering with technical subject matter experts and operational leadership.

Preferred Qualifications

• In-depth knowledge of an operations environment, Bulk Electric System operations preferred
• NERC Operator Certification or the ability to secure such certification within twelve (12) months of hire
• Working knowledge of the Eastern and Western interconnection specific to SPP’s expanding footprint
• Working knowledge of NERC Reliability Standards, SPP Criteria, SPP Market Protocols, the SPP OATT, and FERC regulatory orders of regional significance to SPP is strongly desired
• Understanding of Project Management Principles

Other Requirements:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Adult education theory
• Instructional design theory
• Knowledge in using graphic-manipulation tools
• Extensive knowledge of adult learning principles with formal education and demonstrated experience designing effective asynchronous curricula in evolving environments.
• Deep understanding of the systematic approach to training, performance support, and job tasks analysis and assessment
• Flexibility and the ability to function with constantly changing and multiple priorities
• Use of sophisticated analytical electronic tools
• Advanced experience designing scenario-based, simulation-based, or performance-based training for complex technical or operational roles.
• Experience leveraging educational technologies and tools to enhance learning effectiveness, learner engagement, and the measurement and evaluation of training outcomes

Work Environment
This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones and photocopiers. This position involves access to sensitive, confidential, and/or security-restricted information. Work is performed in environments where adherence to information security policies, confidentiality requirements, and regulatory standards is required. The employee must be able to work in a manner that protects such information in accordance with organizational policies.

Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Ability to maintain stationary positions (seated or standing) for extended periods, move short distances within the work environment, and lift, carry, push, or pull objects up to 10 pounds occasionally.
• Ability to frequently use hands and fingers for reaching, handling, grasping, and operating keyboards and standard office equipment.
• Ability to constantly communicate effectively to exchange information, follow instructions, and work collaboratively with others.
• Ability to constantly access, interpret, and apply information to make decisions, solve problems, and monitor the work environment.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work
This is a full-time position. The typical work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Work hours may vary based on organizational and operational needs, as determined by management. Occasional extended or non-standard hours may be required.