Job Summary Tennessee Higher Education Initiative (THEI), a non-profit committed to disrupting harmful systems and cultivating opportunities for autonomy and success, is seeking a dedicated individual for the role of Student Resources Coordinator. This role will be funded for two years through a secured foundation grant. As an organization, THEI offers college access to incarcerated individuals within Tennessee prisons to pave the way for skilled reentry and alleviate barriers to ongoing education and achievement. We stand on principles of harm reduction, healing, and valuing the lived experiences of those we serve; we actively strive to realize the world we envision through systemic work and direct service.
Our Nashville office invites applicants for the Student Resources Coordinator position. This position will be under the supervision of the Student Resources Initiative Project Manager and part of a team charged with developing toolkits to help incarcerated students navigate the financial aid process and empower students to make informed decisions throughout their college experience. The selected candidate will serve as a liaison between the Student Resources Initiative Team and the incarcerated students we serve. The Student Resources Coordinator will be tasked with developing rapport with THEI students, assisting with the creation and revision of student resources, facilitating student engagement with resources that have been developed, and thoughtfully and meticulously capturing the feedback students provide throughout the process.
This full-time, exempt position will require substantial car travel on a weekly basis to prison facilities. The ideal candidate would be located in Middle Tennessee. Apart from facility travel, the Coordinator's primary office location can be work-from-home or THEI's office space in Nashville. Weekly in-person team meetings should be anticipated.
Our preferred start date is on or before July 10, 2024. We prioritize applicants who manifest a robust commitment to serving at-risk populations, understand THEI's mission within a broader social justice movement, and demonstrate expertise in partnering with traditionally underserved populations within an educational or social services capacity. We value organizational skills, a proven willingness to listen and be present with individuals, and a deep commitment to combating poverty and incarceration cycles. Applicants who have been directly impacted by the criminal legal system are encouraged to apply. Job ResponsibilitiesTHEI Students:
Build relationships and rapport with THEI students in multiple cohortsMeet with incarcerated students on a regular basis; engage with them around developed college access materials and collect their feedbackMaintain an organized portfolio of resources throughout a creative and iterative processCollect, organize, and maintain records of student feedbackAssist in the administration of student surveys, focus groups, and other means of collecting dataCommunicate clearly and effectively with students, TDOC staff, and relevant THEI partners Student Resources Team:
Work effectively both independently and in a team environmentEnjoy a collaborative and creative resource development process Demonstrate a willingness to give and receive candid feedback with curiosity, empathy, and self-reflection Complete project tasks in a timely and polished manner Assist with the development, proofreading, and revision of high-quality and accessible student resourcesTHEI Students, Staff, Alumni, and Community Partners:
Understand THEI's mission in a larger social justice contextCommunicate and collaborate effectively with THEI staff outside of the Student Resources team Build and maintain a positive rapport with prison administration staff, and other initiative partnersCommit to using Person First language because evidence shows that language can shape perceptions about an incarcerated person's capacity to changeContribute meaningfully to an effort to break cycles of poverty and incarcerationQualificationsMinimum education requirement of an associate degree. Bachelor's degree in a related field preferred (e.g. Education, Counseling Psychology, Program Administration, Social Services, Human and Organizational Development, etc.)Minimum of 1 year of experience as a teacher, trainer, advisor, educator, or similar role; experience with student advising and college access preferredProficiency in Google Suite, particularly Google Calendar, Sheets, Docs, and SlidesAbility and willingness to organize and manage dataExceptional administrative, as well as superb written and verbal communication skillsValid driver's license and the ability to travel to and from prison on a regular basisFlexible schedule, including the ability to work in the eveningsTimeliness around email correspondence and project completion Investment in relationship-building and a passion for creating partnerships with diverse populationsEnergy for creative problem-solving Willingness to navigate "gray" areas with intentionality and sound judgmentCommitment to self-care, social justice, and equityEmotional intelligence with the ability to balance healthy boundaries, maintain professionalism with the incarcerated student population, and follow guidelines received from the Tennessee Department of CorrectionMust be eligible to be a badged TDOC contractorAdditional InformationBenefitsThe position is full-time, exempt, with a salary of $50,000 per year, plus travel reimbursements, full medical/dental insurance, a monthly wellness stipend, Simple IRA with employer match, and generous paid leave and holidays.
How to Apply Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and resume to with "Student Resources Coordinator" in the subject line. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and preference will be given to applications received by May 31, 2024.
THEI is an equal opportunity employer; all applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.
DetailsDate Posted: May 11, 2024Type: Full-TimeJob Function: OtherService Area: Community DevelopmentSalary Range: $50,000
