Prison Education Initiative Site Coordinator

Job Summary:

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is a public, land-grant institution that exemplifies the "Wisconsin Idea" that the resources of the university should benefit all the citizens of the state. The Division of Continuing Studies provides and supports high-quality continuing education, outreach, service and scholarship related to personal enrichment and professional development.
This position will coordinate delivery of higher education programming and associated supports to students incarcerated in Wisconsin state correctional facilities and will require work inside Racine Correctional Institution (in Racine, WI) and/or Columbia Correctional Institution (in Portage, WI) at least three days per week. Additional possible work sites for one day a week or less could be Felmers O. Chaney Correctional Center (in Milwaukee) and Oakhill Correctional Institution (in Madison). The employee may work one-two days a week virtually (working from home). Employee must work in an office at least one day every other week - office space will be provided at UW-Madison or loaned from Marquette University, depending on employee location.
This new and exciting work is part of the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Prison Education Initiative (PEI). The PEI gives learners who are incarcerated the opportunity to reframe their futures through higher education. Housed in the UW-Madison Division of Continuing Studies, the PEI coordinates and supports the development and delivery of degree and certificate programs in Wisconsin state prisons and conducts research to examine the impact on learners. The PEI also supports college jumpstart courses in prison, in partnership with Odyssey Beyond Bars (OBB). OBB currently provides college jumpstart classes at Racine Correctional (RCI), Columbia Correctional (CCI), and Oakhill Correctional (OCI). The PEI currently provides an associate degree program at OCI, and we might expand this program to Felmers O. Chaney Correctional Center. This position may be called on to support all of these efforts, and the allocation of time between these locations may shift over time.
This position will work closely with Department of Corrections staff (e.g., the education directors at RCI, OCI) to support higher education programming at these institutions, under the supervision of the PEI Operations Director. At RCI, this position will also collaborate with Marquette University and other university staff & instructors operating higher education programming in that institution. At all correctional institutions where the site coordinator operates, this position will collaborate with PEI staff, OBB staff, and student-support units across campus to ensure delivery of high-quality in-person educational programs in prisons.
This work will require a combination of administrative expertise and adaptable interpersonal skills. Tasks will involve coordination of student recruitment and enrollment, scheduling courses, facilitating access to the prisons for instructors and staff, coordinating student support initiatives (e.g., peer coaching, research, mentoring), and helping students overcome barriers to success. These tasks will require close collaboration with current PEI and OBB staff, as well as campus units including Adult Career and Special Student Services.
This is a new position, so some of the above work will need to be shaped and adjusted over time, and will require the position holder to be flexible in order to respond to changing circumstances, and to take initiative to develop the role in a way that best supports the goals of the program.

Responsibilities:
Contributes to the development, implementation, administration, coordination, and evaluation for one or more academic programs to ensure effectiveness in meeting departmental and student development goals and initiatives. Strives to create a welcoming, equitable, and inclusive work environment.

• 20% Utilizes independent judgement regarding development, implementation, promotion, and evaluation for one or more academic programs, initiatives, or events
• 20% Identifies program, needs, contributes to the development of unit workflows, schedules logistics and secures resources for meetings, events, and interviews
• 10% Coordinates program components and evaluates program effectiveness and provides recommendations for improvement
• 30% May supervise the day to day activities of one or more academic programs and resolves issues exercising discretion to meet unit goals.
• 20% Supports students in accessing educational resources, in collaboration with DOC education staff and PEI staff.

Institutional Statement on Diversity:

Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.
For more information on diversity and inclusion on campus, please visit: Diversity and Inclusion

Education:

Required
Bachelor's Degree

Qualifications:

Required Skills:
- Excellent problem solving and independent decision-making skills
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Adaptable interpersonal skills
- Proficiency working in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and Outlook) and Google Docs/Sheets
- Openness to working inside a prison with incarcerated learners
Preferred Skills:
- At least one year of experience supporting or managing an academic program
- Experience with logistical coordination and communicating clearly with multiple entities regarding multiple work streams
- Experience providing services to currently or formerly incarcerated people
- Experience working with adult learners from diverse backgrounds

Work Type:

Full Time: 100%
This is a hybrid role: 75% in prisons (three to four full or partial days), 25% in the office and from home (employee must work in an office at least one day every other week - office space will be provided at UW-Madison or loaned from Marquette University).

Appointment Type, Duration:

Terminal, 15 month appointment.
This position has the possibility to be extended or converted to an ongoing appointment based on need and/or funding

Salary:

Minimum $55,000 ANNUAL (12 months)
Depending on Qualifications

Additional Information:

We welcome applicants who meet all required qualifications and have been directly impacted by the justice system. This is a grant-funded, 16 month position. Final appointment is subject to the approval of DOC and UW-Madison to regularly enter prison facilities and perform work.

How to Apply:

To apply for this position, please click on the "Apply Now" button. You will be asked to upload a resume, cover letter, and list of three professional/supervisor references as a part of the application process. References will not be contacted without prior notice. Please ensure your resume and cover letter address how you meet the minimum/preferred qualifications for the position.

Contact:

Zachary Yafai
[email protected]
608-262-3282
Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.

Official Title:

Academic Program Specialist(AE010)

Department(s):

A93-DIVN OF CONTINUING STUDIES/LIB ART & APP ST/LAAS

Employment Class:

Academic Staff-Terminal

Job Number:

294309-AS

 
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence through diversity and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.
If you need to request an accommodation because of a disability, you can find information about how to make a request at the following website: https://employeedisabilities.wisc.edu/disability-accommodation-information-for-applicants/
Employment will require a criminal background check. It will also require you and your references to answer questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment.
The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).
The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department .