Administrative Director, UPWARD Prison Education Program

General Description of Position Under the general direction and supervision of the Dean of Correctional Education, the Administrative Director will provide support for faculty and tutors working with students in the UPWARD Prison Education Program (PEP) to support their attainment of career and technical and academic transfer degrees. The responsibilities of this position include working with other instructional divisions’ Associate Deans and Program Chairs in hiring faculty, observing classes, determining faculty development and training needs, and assisting in administrative duties such as schedule building, managing course/program enrollment, and providing leadership to faculty and tutors. The Administrative Director will also serve as a communication link between NDCS students, staff, and campus administration. This position will also explore and identify major trends in the areas of postsecondary correctional education and help implement those that align with the SCC mission.This position will include the coordination, support, and scheduling of faculty and tutors who serve the populations at the Nebraska State Penitentiary, Community Corrections Center-Lincoln, Reception and Treatment Center, Nebraska Correctional Center for Women, and SCC Center for People location and requires frequent travel to each of these sites. This is a full-time regular position.

Southeast Community College offers competitive compensation and a robust benefits package, including, but not limited to medical/dental insurance, 403(b) retirement with College matching contribution, vision insurance, flexible spending account, and tuition reimbursement. Southeast Community College also offers extensive leave plans. In addition, Southeast Community College makes available to all full-time employees the use of “Ben Dollars” (cash-in-lieu potential for certain coverage levels) to cover medical and dental premiums.

Essential Functions

Develop Faculty and Tutors Works with program directors to locate, hire, and support faculty and tutors working in the SCC correctional locations. Assists Associate Deans with hiring, orientation, and training of full-time faculty working in the SCC correctional locations. Provides pedagogical professional development in carceral education. Coaches/mentors faculty. Conducts classroom and online observations. Hears and addresses student concerns. Reviews student course evaluations. Identifies needs for and supports faculty professional development. Determines training needs using Faculty/Program Chair/Associate Dean input. Program Management Assists Division Dean with the development and monitoring of program budgets. Assists with representing the program at New Student Orientation and recruiting events. Develops and maintains a cooperative working relationship with all College divisions and at all campus and correctional education locations. Conducts regular faculty meetings, promotes continuous improvement in instruction and services, and plans training and professional development opportunities for faculty in carceral pedagogy. Interprets and enforces policies and regulations related to PEPs as defined by the Higher Learning Commission and the U.S. Department of Education. Assists Division Dean with data collection and reporting for PEP and non-PEP programs. Acts as a point of contact with prison staff to coordinate term scheduling, tutoring, lab times, and events. Recruit students by promoting the UPWARD correctional program to justice-involved students and respond to questions regarding the program. Explains to potential students and their families program requirements, including the release of information procedures. Works with the Dean of the correctional program on special projects for the instructional division or college. Data Collection and Reporting Participates in the development and reporting of results related to prison education and correctional facility instructional spaces to internal and external constituencies. Assist in the development and distribution of an UPWARD – Prison Education Program annual report. Aids in preparing reports and institutional data related to campus student services and college admission, enrollment, recruitment, and registration activities requested by State and Federal agencies. Examples include IPEDS, CCPE, ACT, and College Board, FTE reports, Enrollment reports, and statistics. Works in collaboration with the Administrative Director of Institutional Effectiveness in the development of data. Strategic Planning Works with the Division Dean to assist in the development of program/division Strategic Plan and reports annual results. Works with faculty and staff to execute/implement planned strategies. Assists with implementation of enrollment management strategies in cooperation with the Dean of Student Enrollment management. Collaborate with Associate Deans and Director of Transitions & Tutoring Works with Associate Deans across divisions in the development and implementation of various initiatives focused on faculty, support, and professional development. Assists Associate Deans in developing faculty schedules. Conducts on-site classroom observations of faculty in correctional facilities and collaborates with Associate Deans across divisions to evaluate instructional practices in carceral settings and provide opportunities for professional development in the area of carceral pedagogy. Works with faculty, in conjunction with Associate Deans, to develop and carry out plans of improvement, as needed. Works with the Director of Transitions & Tutoring to provide professional development for PEP Tutors. Remain Current in Events and Developments Related to Work Assignments Increases and improves knowledge of pedagogy, leadership, etc. through supplemental sources such as in-service activities, conferences, workshops, technical updates, and personal self-study. Participates in professional conferences and meetings; maintains liaison relationships with national, regional, state, and local agencies in post-secondary prison education opportunities. Participates in Division, Program, and College meetings and committees. Promote/Support Diversity, Inclusion, Equity, and Access Work toward creating a welcoming, inclusive, equitable, and productive work and learning environment, where all students, faculty members, and college employees are valued and may contribute to their full potential, regardless of their differences. Make concerted efforts to implement accessible and inclusive practices and processes aimed at creating a diverse and equitable learning and work environment. Commit to fostering and maintaining a safe environment of respect and inclusion for students, employees, and members of the community, and promote and support the College’s policies and programming related to access, fair employment, EEO, equity, inclusion, and diversity.

Marginal Functions

Provide information and data that will assist in the preparation of the budget, course scheduling, and other required reports. Participate in projects and teams that enhance the College’s overall operation. Perform other related duties within the division/program as assigned. May be required to perform associated duties, functions, or assignments in other divisions/programs/areas as required. Must be able to work varied days, hours, shifts, locations, and campuses as required. Frequent and regular presence at all College Correctional locations. Represents the college at reentry fairs, career programs, educational planning programs, etc. May be required to perform associated duties, functions, or assignments in other divisions/programs/areas as required. Perform other College functions and duties as assigned. Must be able to work varied days, hours, shifts, locations, and campuses as required. Work schedules (hours/days/work location) are scheduled by Southeast Community College based on the needs of the College. Work hours, shifts, days, and work locations may vary depending on the needs of Southeast Community College and are subject to modification. Emergency or scheduled special activities may require hours outside of the regular workweek.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of program planning, management, and faculty development. Demonstrate professionalism; maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries. Ability to coordinate governmental, agency, workforce, and student needs and interests. Ability to resolve problems and communicate with students, faculty, and staff of diverse cultural, ethnic, socioeconomic, experiential, and educational backgrounds. Understanding and appreciation of the Community College Mission. Ability/skill to relate to colleagues, staff, students, and supervisors of diverse backgrounds in a positive and cooperative manner. Ability/skill to apply and demonstrate effective communication skills. Ability to read, interpret, comprehend, and enforce College Policy. Ability/knowledge to support faculty in developing and incorporating a variety of teaching strategies and techniques in the carceral classroom. Ability/knowledge to assist faculty in devising and utilizing appropriate classroom management strategies in correctional settings. Skills/abilities to explain and demonstrate that the individual can perform the essential functions of the job consistently and accurately while meeting multiple demands, with or without reasonable accommodations, using some other combination of skills and abilities. Knowledge and experience using computer software to include Microsoft Office products including; Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams. Ability to meet the necessary travel requirements of the position. Knowledge and experience in developing, administering, and interpreting surveys and questionnaires. Knowledge of methods and strategies to motivate employees. Ability to develop an effective, congenial, and cohesive work unit. Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and adhere to policies of confidentiality Knowledge to assist faculty with the use of technology for online or hybrid courses, and learning management systems for course development and delivery. Knowledge of and ability to assist faculty with course delivery utilizing engaged learning techniques and classroom environment. Ability to safely lift, carry, and move objects of at least 50 pounds in the performance of their duties. Ability to use effective problem-solving techniques with faculty, staff, tutors, and correctional employees. Ability to handle multiple tasks, change priorities, work in an environment with critical deadlines, and perform work with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail. Ability to lift and carry up to (50) fifty pounds for short distances, and move tables, chairs, and media equipment. Ability to communicate effectively both in writing, in person, and on the phone. Ability to use basic computer skills. The individual must possess the above skills and abilities or be able to explain and demonstrate that the individual can perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, using some other combination of skills and abilities. Minimum Qualifications Bachelor’s Degree in Education or another academic discipline. Three (3) years of teaching experience at the post-secondary level. Possess and maintain a current, valid Driver License. Ability to obtain volunteer clearance with the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services Desired Qualifications Master’s Degree in Education, or another academic discipline with emphasis in Education Administration. Teaching experience at the post-secondary level above the required three (3) years. Post-secondary teaching experience in a correctional facility. Supervisory experience at the post-secondary level. Teaching experience in online, hybrid format, flipped classroom, and progressive experience in utilizing technology in curriculum development and delivery. Experience with enrollment management and institutional research. Experience with reentry services and/or community-based organizations serving the reentry population. Lived experience with the Carceral System.

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