The Visiting Room Project (TVRP) is home to the largest collection in the world of first-person testimonials from people sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. Despite recent declining incarceration rates in the U.S. (still the highest in the world) the proportion of incarcerated people sentenced to die in prison has continued to grow and shows no sign of retreat. In the past three decades, the life without parole (LWOP) population in the U.S. has more than quadrupled. Today, more than 55,0000 people in the U.S. are currently serving LWOP sentences. Two-thirds of these individuals are Black, Indigenous, and people of color.

A fiscally sponsored project of the Proteus Fund, The Visiting Room Project is building and maintaining a living public memory project that shares and documents the experiences of people serving LWOP who have spent decades in prison. More than five years in the making, the site is the only collection of its kind, containing 109 interviews with people filmed at the Louisiana State Penitentiary – Angola. Our goal is to activate and share this evolving project with the public in a variety of forms—including national and community screenings, artistic collaborations, exhibitions, and educational curriculum. The Visiting Room Project is also building a leadership development program for TVRP Ambassadors, who contributed their stories to TVRP and have been recently freed due to unexpected changes in their legal circumstances. These Ambassadors are uniquely positioned to expand and activate the archive, engage the public in a dialogue about life without parole, and serve as leaders within TVRP. The Project will also prioritize opportunities to maintain and expand communications and collaboration with our incarcerated Contributors.

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The Opportunity

Working closely with the project team, the Program Manager is responsible for (1) leading TVRP Ambassadors to accomplish programmatic goals, (2) managing projects that maintain and expand TVRP’s archive, (3) supervising the Program Associate, (4) managing operations including time tracking, invoicing, payment scheduling, assisting Social Media Manager with content updates to website, overseeing and liaising with consultants. The Program Manager will support TVRP’s programmatic goals by facilitating Ambassador work on discrete projects, maintaining regular communication with project Contributors inside, and organizing and managing public and community events, workshops, meetings, and retreats. The Program Manager will also manage ongoing documentation processes for the Archive, such as gathering contributor art and writing, and organizing documentation of community events. The Program Manager will also be responsible for co-designing and hosting public programming activities, building partnerships between like-minded organizations and Ambassadors, and assisting with operations.

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Key Responsibilities

• Develop yearly programming plan in partnership with Ambassadors and the project team.
• Manage tasks to reach programmatic goals, track outcomes, and communicate progress to contributors, supporters and Ambassadors.
• Supervise the Program Associate
• Facilitate Ambassadors’ involvement in all aspects of TVRP’s programmatic work by supporting their work and coordinating regular communications with the group.
• Help maintain regular email and in-person communication with project Contributors, gather and document ideas, feedback, and needs.
• Identify and manage consultants for workshops and programs in oral history, public memory work, interviewing and public speaking, collaborative and participatory artmaking, social media, technology, restorative justice, and wellness.
• Work with the Program Associate to ensure participation in public events.
• Co-create content for social media, quarterly newsletters, and monthly emails.
• Collaborate with partner organizations on strategic opportunities.
• Track time, coordinate, prepare, and submit Ambassador invoices and reimbursement requests.
• Provide social media support, including to Social Media Manager with content updates and assisting with content updates to the website.
• Liaise with event hosts to plan air travel, hotels, transportation, and meals for Ambassadors.
• Travel within Louisiana and other states may be required up to 30% of the time.

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Candidate Profile

• 2-3 years program experience in oral history, public memory, arts, cultural preservation, community health, social justice, legal, social work, academic or other relevant fields
• 2-3 years program management experience
• Experience facilitating meetings and/or workshops, including creating agendas, managing discussion, and creating action plans.
• Experience collaborating with and providing support to directly impacted people in teams or programmatic work.
• Experience collaborating with individuals with limited office or computer experience.
• Excellent time management, critical thinking, and problem solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and simultaneously lead projects.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
• A professional and collaborative work ethic, empathy, a good sense of humor, and the ability to maintain grace under pressure.
• A willingness to be flexible, curious, and ambitious in an evolving organization.
• Strong competency in Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and Microsoft Excel
• Fluency with one or more social media platforms preferred.
• Experience using Canva (or similar design program) preferred.
• Possesses a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
• Based in Louisiana.
• We especially welcome applications from BIPOC community members who have been system-impacted or who have system-impacted loved ones.

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Compensation

The starting salary for this role is $50,000 to $60,000 and is based on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, geographic location, skill set level, years of previous/applicable experience, and Proteus Fund's commitment to ensuring pay equity within the organization. The hiring manager will share more details regarding salary bands based on the candidate's specific geographic location as well as the other factors noted above. Salary is one part of the total compensation that Proteus Fund provides to employees.

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Benefits

Proteus Fund is committed to ensuring that its employees are supported holistically, from compensation, benefits and resources to an enriching work environment and collaborative culture. Proteus Fund leads the market in a number of its offerings, including a sector-leading retirement plan contribution and robust benefits package. The recruiting team will share more information regarding this commitment and offerings. Medical and dental benefits for employee and eligible dependents available on first day of work

• Retirement savings account (401k) with an organization contribution of 10% of annual salary
• Three weeks’ paid vacation in first year of work; four weeks in subsequent years
• Fifteen sick days per year
• Three personal days per year
• Fifteen paid holidays
• Professional development initiatives for growth
• Life Insurance
• Paid Family Leave, short-term, and long-term disability

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To Apply

For consideration, please submit your cover letter and resume to Director of Public Programming Annie Nisenson (annie@visitingroomproject.org) by JUNE 19, 2023. In your cover letter, please respond to the following questions:

1. How many years of supervisory experience do you have? What is your approach to giving and receiving feedback?
2. How does The Visiting Room Project’s Program Manager position fit within your career trajectory and goals for the next 3-5 years?
3. What are some of the benefits of archives like TVRP? What are some of your ideas for how TVRP can reach a larger audience?

A cover letter indicating your interest in Proteus Fund must be included. Resumes without cover letters will not be considered. Proteus Fund believes that one of the greatest strengths of an organization is the rich diversity of its staff and board and is committed to providing equal employment and promotional opportunities based upon individual capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, sexual orientation/affectional preference, age, national origin, ethnicity, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status or any other protected characteristic as established under the law. Proteus Fund’s policies and practices are to reflect Proteus Fund’s commitment to nondiscrimination in all areas of employment.

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COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement

Please note, in an effort to maintain and safeguard staff's health, well-being, and safety, Proteus Fund requires all employees to be vaccinated prior to their employment and adhere to the regular upkeep of COVID-19 vaccination requirements as per CDC recommendations while employed. Proof of the CDC-recommended level of COVID-19 vaccination is required as a condition of employment with Proteus Fund.