About the Cornell Prison Education Program

The Cornell Prison Education Program supports a regional collaboration that brings together Cornell faculty and graduate students to teach a college-level liberal arts curriculum to a select group of students at nearby correctional facilities. The Cornell Prison Education Program is dedicated to supporting incarcerated persons’ academic ambitions and preparation for successful re-entry. We believe that Cornell faculty and student engagement as instructors at correctional facilities manifests Ezra Cornell’s commitment to founding an institution where “any person can find instruction in any study.”

Read more at https://cpep.cornell.edu/.

‍

The Opportunity

The Cornell Prison Education Program is currently seeking a highly motivated and dedicated Program Coordinator to oversee and coordinate the delivery of our academic programs and initiatives at nearby correctional facilities. This is a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact by supporting incarcerated individuals in their pursuit of higher education.

As the Program Coordinator, you will have direct responsibility for overseeing and coordinating the delivery of programs and initiatives at nearby correctional facilities. You will be responsible for managing a wide range of administrative processes and functions, and you will serve as a crucial liaison between students, faculty, staff, and prison administrators.

‍

University Job Title:

Program Assistant II

‍Pay Rate Type:

Hourly

Pay Range:

$26.77 - $31.11

‍

Responsibilities:

• Administer assigned program functions for 40 to 70 students at correctional facilities.
• Travel to the prisons for on-site course registration, coursework coordination, and related functions.
• Oversee study halls and tutorial sessions on site at the prison weekly.
• Serve as the terminal registrar for incarcerated students, maintaining student records and ensuring accuracy and confidentiality.
• Assist students with applying for financial aid and provide ongoing support in navigating the financial aid process.
• Monitor academic progress of students and provide guidance and support as needed.
• Provide input on the evaluation of the program and its operation, contributing to strategic planning efforts.
• Take primary responsibility for event planning, including guest lectures, student orientation sessions, and graduation ceremonies.
• Assist the Associate Director of Curriculum & Programming in financial management of the program at the correctional facilities.
• Ensure adherence to budgets and resource allocations.

This is a full-time, term position ending August 1, 2025, with the possibility of extension based on funding, successful performance and the needs of the program. The selected candidate must be comfortable working with incarcerated clientele. They must be reliable, hold a valid driver’s license and be able to travel to prison locations.  This role requires working at least one day per week in a correctional facility.

‍

If you are passionate about making a difference in the lives of incarcerated individuals through education and possess the qualifications and skills outlined above, we encourage you to apply with your resume and cover letter.

‍

What We Need

All applicants must include a resume and cover letter for full consideration.

• Associate’s degree and at least 4 years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, to effectively interact with diverse stakeholders.
• Proven ability to work quickly and effectively under pressure, use judgment in accomplishing tasks that are urgent or of a sensitive or confidential nature, and balance conflicting priorities.
• Experience with computer applications – database systems and Microsoft Office Suite is required. Highly proficient using databases and web management content tools.
• Strong attention to detail, organizational, and multitasking skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
• Highly proactive with demonstrated ability to anticipate business needs and respond accordingly.
• Experience developing processes and procedures that improve service or increase program efficiency.
• Proven experience in program coordination, preferably in an educational or correctional setting.
• Sensitivity and empathy towards the unique challenges faced by incarcerated individuals while being able to navigate correctional facility expectations and regulations.
• Ability to travel to and work within correctional facilities regularly.

If you have all those things, great! We have a few more things that we would prefer you to have, but it’s ok if you don’t.

• Interest in criminal justice system and experience working with an incarcerated clientele.
• Experience in volunteer/program coordination.
• Experience teaching in the classroom, or in other college learning environments.
• Familiarity with systems of parole/probation and knowledge of correctional facility systems and regulations is a plus.
• Experience with Airtable databases.
• Training in trauma-informed interviewing.
• Master’s degree or higher.

‍

Rewards and Benefits

• This position is located in Ithaca, New York. The position will allow for the flexibility to work remotely 2 days per week at a location of employee’s choosing within the United States.  The responsibilities of this role require the selected individual to work one day per week in a correctional facility.  The New York Convenience of employer guidelines require New York State individual tax reporting and withholdings for this position. Additional individual state income tax filings may also be required if working temporarily outside New York State.
• Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, sustainability, and diversity initiatives.
• Our benefits programs include comprehensive health care options, generous retirement contributions, access to wellness programs, and employee discounts with local and national retail brands. We invite you to follow this link to get more information about our benefits: https://hr.cornell.edu/benefits-pay.
• Follow this link to learn more about the Total Rewards of Working at Cornell: https://hr.cornell.edu/jobs/your-total-rewards.
• Our leave provisions include health and personal leave, three weeks of vacation and 13 holidays: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, and an end of the year winter break from December 25-January 1.
• Cornell's impressive educational benefits include tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program, tuition aid for external education, and Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance Program.

No Visa Sponsorship or relocation assistance is available for this position.

 

Familiarize yourself with Cornell's COVID-19 workplace guidance as well as the university's COVID-19 services and information.