Prison Education Program Coordinator & Transition Specialist

POSITION SUMMARY:

The PEP Coordinator & Transition Specialist is responsible for the day-to-day implementation of College Unbound’s Prison Education Program inside of the Department of Corrections facilities as well as in the broader community as it relates to transition and re-entry planning for students who will be continuing their education outside of the DOC. The PEP Coordinator works to build and sustain a rapport with students who are incarcerated, facilitates aspects of the program that support student learning and faculty, works collaboratively with Department of Corrections officials to ensure that effective implementation of CU’s Prison Education Program, and develops programmatic efforts to enhance CU’s re-entry support for students as they continue to pursue their degrees at CU. The work of the PEP Coordinator may also include accompanying students out of Adult Correctional Institute by meeting them at the DOC upon release, collaborating with community providers to aid students' stability in terms of housing, employment, etc., and supporting students in their continued success at College Unbound. 

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Attend training orientation at the Department of Corrections
• Ensure rosters are established for PEP courses and work with each facility and faculty member on classroom availability a month before classes begin
• Ensure that incarcerated students' coursework is uploaded to their courses and returned to them after online instructors have given feedback.  
• Host a weekly “study halls” for incarcerated students at the Department of Corrections in each facility consistent with the DOC schedule. Hosts one for and works to build this as a work-study opportunity for CU students to support. 
• Work with CU’s Recruitment team to coordinate recruitment events. 
• Assist admissions team to upload student applications and update CU student waitlist. 
• Place new students on rosters within TPCDS and ensures\ their engagement within MYCU. Collects attendance and submits to MYCU and TPCDS.
• Attends first classes and student exhibitions at DOC. Works with PEP Faculty and CU to bring CU staff and community partners to see student exhibitions.
• Work with Petey Greene (PG) representative and PEP faculty to ensure PG tutors are working to support students and PEP staff 
• Engage weekly with the CU PEP Faculty and support their work and needs beyond the walls to ensure students are being supported. 
• Go weekly to the Dix Building to pick up mail and respond to our incarcerated student requests in a timely manner
• Conducts an assessment with students within the Department of Corrections who are six months from being released to ensure stable housing, employment, and post-secondary success. 
• Coordinate supports for students transitioning out of the Department of Corrections custody
• Ensure the success of PEP students by assisting them securing stable housing, continued employment, and support through community-based resources
• Meet and accompany students who are released from Department of Correction facilities 
• Meet weekly 1:1 with students in the Prison Education Program who are released during the first semester on the outside to ensure their success as they transition to CU on the outside  
• Meets weekly with new CU students who have spent time at the DOC to ensure their successful transition 
• Supporting CU PEP Alumni through building a monthly support group for our students 
• TA for Gateway Course. 
• Collaborate with the primary instructor for the Gateway Course, which is taught at the beginning of each semester, and serve as the TA for the class. Work to ensure students are accompanied to CBRos around housing, public defender's office, employment, and support programs
• Coordinates a monthly Community of Practice gathering between the College Unbound Prison Education team to share insights and engagement strategies. 
• Participate in the weekly CU Core staff meetings, CU PEP Meetings, and other meetings and collaborative efforts in order to ensure the effectiveness of the PEP

Required Qualifications: 

• Bachelor's degree in related field
• Three - five years of experience as a the program provider, a Prison Ed program participant, or have been system impacted
• Previous experience working in support of people who have been criminal justice system impacted, including people are currently and formerly incarcerated
• Knowledge of the impact on carceral settings on the self-determination of individuals in their custody
• Knowledge of correctional procedures and practices
• Knowledge of community resources and the ability to connect PEP students to area resources as they transition 
• Strong organizational skills
• Strong communication skills verbally and in writing
• Demonstrated ability to work respectfully within a diverse community of learners and practice reciprocity effectively with that community. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Masters degree in related field
• Previous experience working in educational context
• Experience navigating Pell grants and eligibility
• Previous experience in prison education
• Knowledge of a prison education program from either either a student or provider perspective
• Familiarity with addiction and substance abuse