Assistant Director of Academic Reentry Services

The Cornell Prison Education Program (CPEP) supports a multi-institutional collaboration that provides a college education to people incarcerated in four prisons near Cornell University.  CPEP is dedicated to supporting incarcerated students’ academic ambitions and supporting these students/alumni for successful re-entry. We see this work as a manifestation of Ezra Cornell’s commitment to founding an institution where “any person can find instruction in any study.”

While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a psychologically healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work/life integration of oneself and others.

Under the direction of the Executive Director, the Assistant Director of Reentry will develop and provide innovative and targeted interventions to improve post-release outcomes for incarcerated students upon parole release.

Key Responsibilities:

• Plan for parole release. Identify and resolve immediate needs such as DOCCS-approved housing, state-approved identification, and support in applying for services.
• Work closely with returning citizens to formulate plans for their future; provide advice and guidance on job/career, college, preparing for GREs or LSAT, etc.
• Provide counsel and support in acclimating to post-prison life
• Collect and analyze data to inform development of services, evaluate success, and inform future research on the impact of the college/reentry program on post-prison outcomes.

Must be comfortable working with incarcerated and recently incarcerated clientele. Position requires regular travel to prisons in nearby cities and occasional trips to New York City and flexibility in work schedule, including the possibility of evening hours. TB test is required.

This is a 40 hour/week, two-year term position with the possibility of extension based on funding, successful performance and the needs of the program.

To be fully considered for this position, please include a cover letter and resume and attach both in the resume area of the application.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree with at least 3 years of related experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience with non-profits, social services, and volunteer organizations.
• Highly proactive with demonstrated ability to anticipate human needs and respond anticipatorily.
• Experience developing processes and procedures that improve service and increase program efficiency.
• Experience working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Experience incorporating the perspectives of multiple communities, including communities of color.
• Passionate about working in an organization that values and promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, anti-racism, and wellbeing.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree.
• Training and degree in social work, higher education, addiction recovery, or related field.
• First person experience of incarceration or experience of impact of prison system (e.g. child of incarcerated person).
• Higher education teaching experience.
• Knowledge of political issues related to prisons at local, state, and national levels preferred.
• Experience working in prison reentry and with individuals who attended college while incarcerated strongly preferred.
• This position would benefit from an a candidate with an extremely versatile set of skills: strong social skills, leadership, community building, navigating the harsh rules of corrections/parole systems, understanding the unwritten rules by which people navigate higher education, dealing with the silent shame and stigma experienced by formerly incarcerated people, challenges ranging from drug addition to technology illiteracy, food insecurity and the geographic restrictions placed on individuals with sex offenses. Knowing the code of the streets. Experience supporting people who are required to disclose their criminal background to apply for housing, assistance, jobs, school, etc.