Prison Education Program Coordinator

Department:CAS Geography (updated)
Appointment Type and Duration: Funding Contingent (Faculty, Research OAs), Ongoing
Salary: $24.04-$28.85/hour
Compensation Band: OH-OA05-Fiscal Year 2024-2025
FTE: 1.0

Application Review Begins

February 10, 2025; Position open until filled

Special Instructions to Applicants

Your application should include:
1. A current resume.
2. A cover letter indicating how your qualifications, and experience have prepared you for this position.
3. Names and contact information for three professional references. Finalists will be notified before references are contacted.

Department Summary

The Prison Education Program (PEP) at the University of Oregon provides a range of unique educational opportunities for people incarcerated in Oregon’s prisons, as well as credit and non-credit bearing courses and activities for campus-based students. Elements of the PEP include Inside-Out classes in two of Oregon’s prisons, Inside-only classes at three prisons, and common readings, workshops, lectures, and other activities at four prisons. The PEP also provides television programming to all of Oregon’s prisons and has an interactive distance learning program for individuals in solitary confinement/disciplinary housing at two of the prisons.

The PEP draws upon faculty from a range of disciplines across the colleges at the university and annually hosts a robust cohort of approximately 12 student interns. The PEP does not grant degrees, but supports the attainment of a bachelor’s degree through other UO majors. Student involvement with the PEP has had considerable impact on post-graduate interests, redirecting many students to law school, work in the criminal justice system, and in nonprofits working with people at high risk for involvement in the criminal justice system or people who are reentering communities after incarceration.

Position Summary

The Program Coordinator supports the PEP Director and faculty, facilitates program operations on campus (for example with the University of Oregon Registrar and Office of Continuing and Professional Education), works with the Oregon Department of Corrections in Salem and Portland to schedule and manage classes and activities inside prisons, and helps to recruit and train program staff and interns. This position has key roles in planning and running all courses taught inside prisons, as well as the additional activities that the PEP conducts on campus, in the prisons, and in the community. Duties also include grant writing, budgeting, scheduling, oversight of student intern work, fundraising, and outreach.

Special requirement: This position requires the ability to be approved as a Department of Corrections volunteer or contractor. For more information, https://www.oregon.gov/doc/volunteer/pages/home.aspx.

Minimum Requirements

• Experience working in carceral settings, including work with incarcerated individuals and administrative work with Department of Corrections and university staff.
• Bachelor’s degree in a field relevant to prison education work.

Professional Competencies

• Ability to work in complex settings with diverse populations.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity and inclusion.
• Strong communication skills.
• Ability to work independently as well as in a collaborative team environment.
• Demonstrated leadership, organizational, and management skills and the ability to prioritize multiple projects.
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to the design, implementation, and evaluation of Inside-Out courses and other teaching and activities in a carceral setting.

Preferred Qualifications

• Grant writing and fundraising experience.
• Experience supervising and training undergraduate student workers and volunteers.
• Familiarity with University of Oregon departments and administrative bodies.
• Familiarity with other Oregon organizations serving incarcerated and previously incarcerated students.
• Experience with budget development, implementation, and oversight.
• Experience with reentry support and services.
• Competence in a second language.

FLSA Exempt: No

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

The University of Oregon is proud to offer a robust benefits package to eligible employees, including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. For more information about benefits, visit https://hr.uoregon.edu/about-benefits.

The University of Oregon is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution committed to cultural diversity and compliance with the ADA. The University encourages all qualified individuals to apply and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status, including veteran and disability status. The University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. To request an accommodation in connection with the application process, please contact us at uocareers@uoregon.edu or 541-346-5112.

UO prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy (including pregnancy-related conditions), age, physical or mental disability, genetic information (including family medical history), ancestry, familial status, citizenship, service in the uniformed services (as defined in federal and state law), veteran status, expunged juvenile record, and/or the use of leave protected by state or federal law in all programs, activities and employment practices as required by Title IX, other applicable laws, and policies. Retaliation is prohibited by UO policy. Questions may be referred to the Office of Investigations and Civil Rights Compliance. Contact information, related policies, and complaint procedures are listed here.

In compliance with federal law, the University of Oregon prepares an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and services. The Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at https://clery.uoregon.edu/annual-campus-security-and-fire-safety-report.