General Summary:

The Prison Education Program (PEP) Director is an energetic and equity-minded administrative leader who serves as the primary point of contact for MCC's Prison Education Program at the Middlesex Jail and House of Correction. Reporting to the Dean of Business, Legal Studies, Education, & Public Service, this position carries full responsibility for the strategic direction, daily operations, budget, grant performance, and long-term growth of the program, including the cultivation of high-level working relationships with correctional administration, faculty, and student support services.

This is a highly collaborative, mission-driven leadership role that combines program management, grant administration, staff supervision, student advocacy, and reentry planning. The Director works within the correctional environment on a regular basis and serves as the principal bridge between the college and the facility, ensuring incarcerated students have access to quality academic programming and the support they need to succeed, both inside and after release.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Serve as the program's senior on-site leader and primary decision-maker for day-to-day operations.
• Direct all operational logistics for the Prison Education Program, including course scheduling, classroom assignments, faculty coordination, enrollment, attendance tracking, and records management.
• In collaboration across the college; oversee student applications, placement assessments, registration, and enrollment in MCC programs in compliance with both MCC and facility policies.
• Liaise with correctional leadership and educational coordinators within the facility to ensure smooth implementation of academic programming and to resolve scheduling, security, and operational challenges.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date student records, academic plans, and program data in MCC's student information systems.
• Ensure all program activities comply with Middlesex Sheriff's Office regulations, MCC academic policies, NECHE accreditation standards, and applicable state and federal guidelines.

Staff Supervision:

• Directly supervise grant-funded PEP staff (e.g., Student Navigator, program support and coordination positions), including hiring recommendations, onboarding, performance management, and day-to-day work assignment.

Grant Reporting:

• Serve as the program's lead on grant performance, tracking deliverables, timelines, and budget expenditures for PEP-related grant funding.
• Collect, analyze, and present program data, enrollment, retention, completion, and post-release outcomes to support grant reporting requirements and continuous improvement.
• Research and draft proposals for new or renewal grant funding and external partnerships that support program growth.
• Coordinate with the Dean and college grants/finance offices on grant budget monitoring, reallocation requests, and compliance documentation.

Program Development and Growth:

• Partner with academic deans, department chairs, and faculty to assess community needs and identify opportunities to expand certificate and degree programs offered at the facility.
• Research best practices in correctional higher education and make evidence-based recommendations for new program areas.
• Collaborate with Workforce Development and Continuing Education to explore non-credit and vocational training opportunities that complement credit-bearing programs.
• Partner with the Middlesex Sheriff's Office programming staff to align MCC offerings with the facility's reentry and rehabilitation goals.

Student Support & Re-entry Planning:

• Connect students with MCC support services including financial aid (FAFSA completion, Pell Grant eligibility), academic advising, tutoring, and transfer pathways.
• Conduct or coordinate assessments with students approaching release to identify educational needs and connect them with appropriate resources.
• Support students' transition from incarceration to continued enrollment at MCC or another institution upon release, working in coordination with reentry organizations, the Sheriff's Office reentry team, and MCC student services.
• Maintain contact with recently released students during their first semester out, facilitating a warm handoff to on-campus services.

Faculty & Instructional Support:

• Recruit, orient, and support faculty teaching inside the correctional facility, including guidance on security protocols, facility rules, and trauma-informed pedagogy.
• Serve as a resource for faculty regarding the unique needs of incarcerated learners and help facilitate a supportive, academically rigorous classroom environment.
• Coordinate the delivery of textbooks, course materials, and supplies within the facility, navigating security requirements as needed.
• Facilitate communication between faculty, facility staff, and MCC's academic departments.

Reporting and Outreach:

• Prepare regular operational and outcome reports for college leadership and the Middlesex Sheriff's Office.
• Represent MCC's Prison Education Program at relevant conferences, coalitions, and professional networks.
• Participate actively in MCC campus committees and contribute to the college's equity and inclusion goals.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in education, social work, criminal justice, counseling, public administration, or a closely related field.
• A minimum of three (3) years of professional experience in program management, grant administration, academic advising, student services, case management, or a related field, including some supervisory experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of or commitment to learning about the criminal justice system, the challenges facing incarcerated and justice-involved individuals, and the role of education in reducing recidivism.
• Demonstrated experience managing or tracking grant-funded budgets, deliverables, and reporting requirements.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and lead independently in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively across institutional cultures.
• Proficiency with student information systems, Microsoft Office Suite, and standard database and records management tools.
• Ability to pass all required background checks and obtain and maintain security clearance to work inside the Middlesex Jail and House of Correction.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in education, counseling, social work, criminal justice, public administration, or a related field.
• Direct experience working with incarcerated individuals or in a correctional environment.
• Experience in community college academic affairs, continuing education, or workforce development.
• Knowledge of financial aid processes for incarcerated students, including Second Chance Pell eligibility and FAFSA completion.
• Familiarity with reentry planning, community resources, and the Massachusetts corrections landscape.
• Experience supervising staff and/or managing grant-funded programs.
• Bilingual or multilingual candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Lived experience with the criminal justice system is valued and welcomed.                  

Additional Information:

Salary Range: $87,000 - $97,000 annually. Employees of Middlesex Community College are considered employees of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and receive benefits, which include:

• High-quality and affordable health insurance through the Commonwealth's Group Insurance Commission (GIC)
• Competitive Dental and Vision Plans
• Flexible Spending Account and Dependent Care Assistance programs
• Low-cost basic and optional life insurance
• Retirement Savings: State Employees' Pension or Optional Retirement Program (ORP) and Deferred Compensation 457(b) plan or 403(b).
• 12 paid holidays per year and competitive Sick, Vacation, and Personal Time
• Tuition Benefits for employees and dependents at state colleges and universities
• Short-Term Disability and Extended Illness program participation options
• Professional Development and Continuing Education opportunities
• Cell Phone Bill Discounts with Verizon and T-Mobile Cell Phone Carriers
• Access to the Commonwealth's Mass4You, employee assistance program
• Free employee parking on Bedford and Lowell campuses
• Eligibility towards Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Location: Bedford campus with occasional travel to the Lowell campus as needed. Also, occasional travel to correctional institutional partner.

Hours: 37.5 hours per week, schedule to be determined upon hire.

Expected Start Date: August/September 2026

Application Deadline: July 28, 2026