Description

This position works closely with the program director, program coordinator, and study hall tutors to support current and prospective students in the program with additional resources. Specifically, this position assists with the administration and implementation of the Restorative Justice Lab’s Mellon grant, which seeks to expand programming to English language learners, to integrate arts-based workshops and assessments into the curriculum, to develop a summer bridge program for incoming students, and to build a feasibility plan for a potential expansion into an associate’s degree program. The ideal candidate has experience working with incarcerated learners and also with restorative practices. This position supervises program tutors and Spanish language navigators as well as the program’s graduate teaching assistant; will help to prepare accreditation reports to SACSCOC; and will possibly teach in the program, if desired, depending on qualifications.

*This is a grant-funded position.  Initial and continuing employment in this position is subject to funding provided by the external grant.*  This position is funded by a Mellon grant and is expected to last three years, however that timeframe is not guaranteed.  

Essential Job Duties

• Work closely with program director, coordinator, and study hall tutors to support current and prospective students in the program, including providing additional academic resources for current students as well as participating in recruitment, application review, and interviews of prospective students;
• Administer and implement the Mellon grant, including:
  • Expand programming to English language learners by creating contracts with students in Spanish classes and Spanish club to translate program materials and provide live translations during classes;
  • Integrate art-based workshops and assessments into the existing curriculum by creating contracts with FSU’s Institute for Arts and Art Therapy with the Imprisoned as well as with local area artists to design workshops and assessments for students in the RJ program;
  • Develop a summer bridge program for incoming students that expands the new student orientation into a month-long program;
  • Work with stakeholders across campus and at other institutions to build a feasibility plan for potential expansion into an associate’s degree program and communicate with the Alabama Department of Corrections (DOC) as the plan is constructed;
• Travel to and from the Limestone correctional facility as needed;
• Provide supervision to program tutors, Spanish language navigators, and the program’s graduate teaching assistant;
• Prepare accreditation reports for submission to SACSCOC;
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES:

• Prepare and conduct workshops for program partners, including internal partners such as the admissions and student conduct as well as potential external partners such as Altapointe;
• Administer paperwork and reporting related to the Mellon grant;
• May require additional travel to additional workshops and meetings with program partners;
• Manage travel reimbursements, supplies, and contracts with consultants.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree is required, with preference given to departments included in RJ Lab curriculum (English, Psychology, Criminal Justice, Sociology);
• Master’s degree is preferred, with preference given to departments included in RJ Lab curriculum (English, Psychology, Criminal Justice, Sociology);
• Experience with student support services, advisement, and/or case management in an academic, community, and/or prison setting is required;
• Experience in an administrative role involving project planning, execution, and budgeting is preferred;
• Familiarity with data collection, management, and reporting is preferred;
• Familiarity with restorative practices is preferred.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, OR REGISTRATIONS:

• Current, valid driver’s license is required;
• Successful completion of the Alabama DOC volunteer training process, required to enter facility;
• Successful completion of the Alabama DOC background check process required to enter facility.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to work effectively with students in a prison setting;  
• Ability to collaborate effectively with external constituencies and stakeholders;
• Ability to follow university, sponsoring agency, and prison policies and procedures;
• Knowledge of current technologies for communication, data storage, data collection, specifically Microsoft office (365) applications;
• Ability to monitor fiscal compliance and prepare detailed program budget reports;
• Ability to monitor academic compliance and prepare detailed program reports for accreditation;
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and written, and to relate to others in a professional, helpful manner;
• Excellent interpersonal skills;
• Ability to multi-task and organize, prioritize, and follow multiple projects and tasks through to completion, with attention to detail and little direct supervision;  
• Ability to effectively identify and resolve problems and to maintain strict confidentiality related to sensitive information;
• Ability to analyze problems, identify solutions, and take appropriate action using independent judgment and decision-making processes;
• Ability to work with teams to use collaborative approaches to problem-solving;
• Knowledge of and ability to write, manage, and report on academic programs;
• Ability to work across departments to recruit students from Spanish classes and Spanish club as language navigators;
• Ability to network with other institutions and key partners to create a strategic plan for expansion;
• Ability to travel to Limestone Correctional Facility.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Applicants must upload a cover letter and resume at the time of application, as well as provide contact information for at least three professional references.  For questions, please email employment@una.edu or call 256.765.4291 and select option #2.  Selecting an option other than #2 will result in a delayed response.

The University of North Alabama will be closed for the Christmas holidays beginning at 4:30 PM on Friday, December 19, 2025 and will reopen at 8:00 AM on Monday, January 5, 2026.  Responses to emails will be delayed during this time and all emails will be answered upon our return.

UNA is an equal opportunity employer. We seek a wide range of applicants for our positions so that our core values will be affirmed.