Director of the Prison Education Partnership

Company: university of maine system
Location: Augusta
Posted on: February 22, 2021

Job Description:

Director of the Prison Education Partnership Department: Arts and Sciences Dean - AARSC Bargaining Unit: UMPSA Salary Band/Wage Band: A typical salary for this appointment is in the high 50s to low 60s and is commensurate with qualifications and experience. This is a two-year, fixed length position with the potential for renewal. This position is soft-money funded and continuation may be contingent upon grant funding external to the University and the needs of the University. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, evenings and weekends as necessary Location: Augusta, ME Statement of Job: The University of Maine at Augusta (UMA) transforms the lives of students of every age and background across the State of Maine and beyond through access to high-quality distance and on-site education, excellence in student support, civic engagement, and professional and liberal arts programs.

UMA--is the third largest public university in Maine. In addition to its main campus in the state's capital,--UMA--also serves students at its campus in Bangor (UMA--Bangor) and through UMA Centers around the state.--With its multiple locations and long-term expertise in online and distance learning,--UMA--is generally considered the university of choice for--Mainers--of all ages who want to attend college without uprooting their lives.

The University of Maine at Augusta--is seeking applicants for the position of Director of the--Prison Education Partnershi p. This is--a full-time, two-year position funded by the Mellon Foundation 's "The Future of Higher Learning in Prison" grant, and may be extended past two years if additional grants are successful. A primary goal of this initiative is to strengthen our services to both currently and formerly incarcerated persons and justice-impacted learners both inside and outside of the Maine Department of Corrections (MDOC). Justice-impacted learners include formerly incarcerated people who face barriers to higher education access and success throughout Maine . These people may already be UMA or University of Maine System (UMS) students, people in county jail settings, or people living in Maine communities who lack educational opportunities or face barriers to pursuing higher education (e.g. stigma and discrimination, housing, transportation, childcare, financial stability, social or emotional support or skills). In addition to the grant-based initiatives, the Director of the Prisoner Education will also oversee all aspects of the existing Prisoner Education Partnership (PEP) between UMA and the MDOC. This work includes student support services PEP students in collaboration with the Maine Department of Corrections (MDOC) and professional staff at all sites and centers. Frequent --travel to MDOC locations throughout the State of Maine is required.--

Responsibilities include:
--

• The Director will work with a full-time Administrative Specialist, an advisory board, faculty, staff, and community partners to:
• Implement the Mellon Grant's purpose to develop a humanities and arts-driven curriculum and programming highlighting issues of race and intersecting systematic inequities.
• Support a cohort of student justice scholars--working for peer-led policy change.
• Support a statewide coalition of faculty, learners, and community leaders committed to expanding emancipatory education across the state.
• Collaborate with an advisory board, academic coordinators, and key partners at USM and MDOC.
• Expand our Prison Education Program at various DOC locations based on an assessment of the current status.
• Assist UMA and MDOC in addressing critical gaps in student support for re-entry, technology infrastructure, faculty development, and community partnerships.
• Work with MDOC staff to identify candidates for the PEP Program.
• Oversee course scheduling at each facility that allows students to progress toward degree completion.
• Advocate for the PEP student population within UMA so that these students are assured an equitable student experience.
• Identify and support faculty to teach at these facilities.
• Collaborate with UMA staff to offer student support services , such as new student orientation, tutoring, distance library services, and reentry planning.
• Assist with the planning of graduations, academic symposiums, and other events focused on PEP students.
  
• The Director will work with UMA salaried staff and a dedicated Administrative Specialist to facilitate:
• Ongoing reporting with the federal student aid program, NECHE, Vera Institute, and MDOC.
• Processing of admissions and financial aid for students in the program.
• Academic advising and course registration services.
• Promote UMA's role and leadership in educating this unique population both within UMA and beyond.
  Working Conditions:
  
  The person in this position:
  • works consistently in an indoor setting.
  • will occasionally need to travel to various DOC facilities and meetings with students and staff.
  • will occasionally need to move about inside the office, or MDOC location they are working at.--
  • will frequently sit at a desk and operate a computer and other office equipment.
  • will frequently communicate with others in person, in writing, or over a telephone, or video conference.
    Work Schedule:-- Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, evenings and weekends as necessary.
    
    Salary: A typical salary for this appointment is in the high 50s to low 60s and is commensurate with qualifications and experience.-- This is a two-year, fixed length position with the potential for renewal. This position is soft-money funded and continuation may be contingent upon grant funding external to the University and the needs of the University. Qualifications:
    Required Qualifications:
    --
    • Master's degree or an equivalent combination of education and/or professional experience will be considered
    • Five years of experience in higher education and/or related prison education--experience
    • Ability to pass a comprehensive background screening required to access prison complex
    • Ability to travel throughout Maine frequently
      Preferred Qualifications:
      --
      • Preference may be given to individuals with previous experience working in a correctional institution
      • Experience in team leading, program development, and/or community outreach
      • Demonstrated partnership with incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people
      • Prior experience in higher education and/or correctional facilities
      • A strong vision of emancipatory education
      • Demonstrated commitment to social justice and racial equity in education and justice policy
      • Experience with grant-writing and management and development
      • Demonstrated management experience and project management training
      • Demonstrated ability to grow and develop programming Other Information: Applicants--must complete an online application and submit a cover letter and resume at-- https://uma.hiretouch.com/ .-- Materials must be submitted via "Apply for Position."--You will need to create an applicant profile, complete an application, upload a cover letter which fully describes your qualifications and experiences with specific reference to the required and preferred qualifications, a resume/curriculum vitae and contact information for three professional references.--You will also need to complete the affirmative action survey, the self-identification of disability form, and the self-identification of veteran status form.
        
        Review of applications will begin February 16.--Materials received after February 15, 2021 will be considered at the discretion of the university.--We are not able to consider applicants who require Visa sponsorship support.
        
        The successful applicant is subject to appropriate background screening.
        
        The University of Maine at Augusta--is an EEO/AA employer, and does not discriminate on the grounds of--race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender expression, national origin, citizenship--status, age, disability, genetic information or veteran's status in employment, education, and all other programs--and activities. The following office has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 101 North Stevens Hall, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5754 or at-- 207.581.1226 . Length: Fiscal Year (12 Months) Required Documents: Contact Information for Professional References, Cover Letter, Resume/CV

Keywords: university of maine system, Kalamazoo , Director of the Prison Education Partnership, Education / Teaching , Augusta, Michigan