The University of Washington Tacoma is an anchor institution that is deeply invested in its local communities and in student success. As one of three campuses of a world-class university, UW Tacoma is dedicated to interdisciplinary and innovative teaching and scholarship and to engaging the community in mutually beneficial partnerships. UW Tacoma’s commitment to access and diversity is central to an environment where students, staff, faculty and South Sound residents find abundant opportunities for intellectual, personal and professional growth. More information about UW Tacoma and its strategic plan can be found here.

Under the direction of the Senior Director of Student Transitions and Success, the Director of the Husky Post Prison Pathways Program is responsible for the achievement of strategic initiatives, staff supervision and development, partnerships, program development and implementation, assessment, and fiscal oversight of the Husky Post Prison Pathways Program and for coordinating efforts with the Husky Post-Prison Pathways Steering Committee.

This position will provide leadership and direction to a program with high visibility to stakeholders like formerly incarcerated adult students and alumni, the Washington State Legislature, the Washington Department of Corrections, community and technical colleges, the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families, and the Washington Department of Social and Health Services. They will be operating under rapidly changing legal and policy landscapes related to the services and supports required for formerly and currently incarcerated adult students to attain a 4-year degree and transition to meaningful post-baccalaureate pathways. They will act as a liaison to develop relationships with several external partners, including community-based organizations, employers, reentry and social service providers, jails, and prisons. Additionally, this position is responsible for assembling a community of practice for universities in Washington State that aspire to develop similar programs.

This position will also directly oversee support for formerly incarcerated students’ personal and social transformation by identifying and removing barriers to higher education during and after incarceration, easing transitions to and through the UW Tacoma campus, fostering their psychosocial development, enhancing their capacity for leadership, and supporting broader community efforts towards these goals.

This position is currently funded via a Washington State Legislative proviso through June 30, 2025, with the possibility of renewal and ongoing efforts to identify additional funding

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Salary

$6,647 - $7,200 per month

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DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Program leadership, supervision and management of a comprehensive post-prison postsecondary degree attainment program for UW Tacoma (40%):

Department Management

• Provide vision and leadership for sustainable, effective, and community-engaged programs, services and resources that support formerly incarcerated students in attaining baccalaureate degrees at UW Tacoma.
• Manage and directly support the overall operations of and planning for Husky Post-Prison Pathways.
• Develop strategic plans and oversee implementation; manage daily operations and strategic direction.
• Develop strategic campus partnerships and work with diverse campus stakeholders to build a sustainable ecosystem of supports that ease transitions to and through UW Tacoma degree attainment as well as post-baccalaureate pathways for formerly incarcerated adult students.
• Manage daily program operations; develop and assess policies and procedures.

Supervise, recruit, train, and evaluate staff

• Ensure compliance with UW policies and regulations while raising awareness and advocating for change for policies and procedures that limit access and perpetuate inequities for formerly incarcerated adult students.
• Conduct regular staff performance evaluations and support staff in creating professional development plans.
• Resolve complaints and grievances as they arise.

Administrative and Operations Management

• Staff major events and programs including campus events.
• Responsible for maintaining internal controls and for ensuring compliance with University policies, procedures and local, state and federal regulations.
• Oversight of budgetary management & purchase approvals, final reviewer for revenue generating budgets and grants. Responsible for unit reporting.
• Attend Husky Post Prison Steering Committee meetings and work with formerly incarcerated stakeholders to develop and implement programming and services in ways that align with the vision, mission, values, and strategic goals of the Husky Post Prison Pathways Program, as determined by the steering committee.
• Act as the primary liaison between Student Affairs and the steering committee to foster alignment with Student Affairs and campus strategic priorities.
• Direct assessment of the program and the campus climate for formerly incarcerated adult students, including working with an external evaluator, the HP3 Steering Committee, and preparing regular reports on progress, outcomes, and recommendations.

Lead the development of external partnerships (20%):

• Work with external partners to steward relationships and develop partnerships that will facilitate accomplishing the mission and aims of the Husky Post Prison Pathways.
• Assemble a community of practice for Washington state universities interested in developing post-prison pathway programs
• Act as a liaison with community-based organizations, probation, parole, and other reentry service providers
• Prepare and organize visits to institutions, e.g., jails, prisons, transitional houses, and other partnering groups and locations
• Maintain and develop relationships with local detention centers and the Washington State Department of Corrections.

Student Affairs & Campus Leadership (20%):

• Serve as part of the Student Affairs leadership team and assist with development of strategic plans.
• Establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with various offices, faculty, staff, deans, and administrators on campus to create and sustain support for formerly incarcerated students.
• Collaborate with university leaders to develop solutions and coordinate responses consistent with university mission and in support of student success.  
• Provide education concerning needs, supports, and best practices for formerly incarcerated adult student success as needed.

Advise current and prospective students and alumni (15%):

• Advise enrolled formerly incarcerated and currently incarcerated adult students and alumni individually and in groups concerning transitions to and through UW Tacoma, academic and personal success.
• Foster students’ psychosocial development and enhance leadership capacity.
• Make referrals to appropriate support units and campus resources as needed.

Other duties as assigned (5%):

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MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in student affairs, education, higher education, social work, criminal justice, or related fields.
• 4 years minimum experience in project or program management that includes at least 2 year’s experience in a supervisory role managing direct reports or overseeing student workers.
• Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.

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ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Knowledge of the criminal justice system and related issues that impact formerly incarcerated students' access to higher education.
• Knowledge of the local, state, and federal prison systems, including parole, probation, reentry services, and housing.
• Knowledge of local, state, and national agencies and organizations that provide a range of supports and opportunities for formerly incarcerated people.
• Understanding of the assets, needs, and potential of people who are or have been incarcerated as well as their families.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills, including the ability to design and execute collaborative and individual projects.
• Strong oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to effectively multitask and work independently in a fast-paced environment with a high degree of attention to detail, reliability, productivity, and efficiency.
• Excellent work ethic and standards, including a demonstrated ability to facilitate conflict resolution, with confidentiality, cultural humility, discretion, and harm reduction.
• Demonstrated commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion through an anti-racist and social justice framework.
• Demonstrated commitment to centering leadership by those directly impacted by incarceration.
• Ability to travel and work some evenings and weekends.

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DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in Student Affairs, Education, Higher Education, Social Work, Criminal Justice, or related field.
• 2 years of experience working with initiatives led by incarcerated and/or formerly incarcerated people.
• Knowledge of University of Washington policies, procedures, systems, and culture.
• Knowledge of Washington State education systems.
• Experience working with coalitions and/or other complex multi-stakeholder programs and collaborations.
• Direct experience working with formerly incarcerated students.
• Experience working in a higher education setting (advising, counseling, management, teaching, or equivalents)
• Training and/or experience in initiatives or programs that utilize possibilities, leadership, empowerment and/or liberation frameworks.
• Knowledge of local, state, and national agencies and organizations led by incarcerated and/or formerly incarcerated people or those that support such leadership.
• Advanced technology skills, including database development and management, and strong understanding of software systems including MS Word, Excel, Access, and navigating new web-based resources
• The ability to gather, organize, analyze, and present complex qualitative and quantitative data sets
• Some scheduling flexibility is required to accommodate schedules of students and program partners, and to attend meetings, site visits, events, trainings, and conferences on and off campus.