TBR | The College System of Tennessee

Title: Coordinator of Correctional Education Programs

Employee Classification: Clerical & Secretarial

Institution: System Office

Department: Academic Affairs

Campus Location: Tennessee Board of Regents System Office

Job Summary

The primary function of the Coordinator of Special Programs for Correctional Education is to coordinate, monitor, and evaluate the implementation of college programs in the carceral spaces across the state on behalf of TBR and its institutions. This position is a result of the Governor’s Correctional Education Investment which aims to provide educational opportunities to those incarcerated in Tennessee prisons. The initiative has expanded to nine (9) prison facilities operated by the Tennessee Department of Corrections and specifically implement courses provided by the Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology and Community Colleges and is continuing to work with other prison facilities managed by private business as well as federal prisons and jails across the state of Tennessee.

To support this initiative, the Coordinator of Special Programs for Correctional Education will facilitate TBR’s efforts in implementing higher education programming across multiple Tennessee correctional facilities. The position will work with institutions, TDOC, THEI, and THEC to implement provisions of the Correctional Education Investment Initiative.

This position may have the opportunity to work remotely within the state of Tennessee but with periodic visits to the TBR System Office (Nashville, TN) and potential travel to Tennessee TBR colleges at the employee’s expense.

Job Duties

• 75% - Establish and coordinate community college and technical college programs at TDOC and DCS facilities across the state based on evaluation of workforce needs and using best judgement in consultation with institutions and local industries. This includes an audit of TDOC’s existing postsecondary programming to determine revisions that would meet credential requirements. Support planning and coordination of program development. Provide administrative support as needed. Maintain and monitor project plans, project schedules, budgets, and expenditures. Ensure that project deadlines are met in a timely manner. Use independent judgement to determine and implement programmatic changes including but not limited to personnel, budgeting, program expansion, and facility expansion to increase participation and reach of the CEI program statewide. Create and maintain systemwide budgets for carceral programs at each participating institution based on funding from the governor’s office, and create, implement, and monitor contracts to grant state appropriations to system colleges. Coordinate between TBR, TDOC, and individual institutions to monitor, troubleshoot, and resolve technical issues that may arise in the delivery of educational programs in a carceral setting. Facilitate and coordinate the grant approval process and implementation of partnerships between county jails and TCATs to provide educational programs to residents incarcerated at municipal and county jails. Host and lead regular meetings with TDOC, THEI, colleges, and other involved parties to ensure consistency in approaches and procedures for both programs and institutions participating in the CEI project. - (Essential)
• 5% - Work with TN eCampus for the design, implementation, training, and monitoring of CEI+, a secure online learning portal for students in carceral facilities. - (Essential)
• 15% - Initiate and lead critical stakeholder meetings. Research/develop presentations and present information to various agencies and community groups including local industry, chambers, American Job Centers and TDOC employees. Plan and host regular training sessions in coordination with other state agencies to prepare and refresh frontline staff to succeed in working in or adjacent to a carceral setting. Plan and host annual statewide pedagogy conference in support of professional development for faculty teaching within a carceral setting. Write and publish various marketing documents in support of students, colleges, partners, and other state agencies to establish program policies and to provide strategic and educational information for all stakeholders. Work within the Office of Academic Affairs to promote the educational opportunities and programming offered by TBR colleges across the state. Ability to travel to off-site meetings, campuses, board meetings and other events as needed. Some overnight travel required. - (Essential)
• 5% - Other duties as assigned to special projects. - (Marginal)

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Two to three years of professional experience in higher education or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Program leadership experience.
• Ability to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with students, other employees, federal and state agencies, and the general public.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree
• 5 years’ experience in higher education at an accredited institution
• Experience presenting information to a variety of constituents
• Experience in facilitating group discussions and decision-making processes
• Successful large-scale (state level) project management

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:
• Secondary and higher education structures
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Effective interpersonal skills.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Strong ability to collect, aggregate, and disseminate data as needed.
• Understanding of higher education and institutional operations.
• Familiarity with the public policy landscape.

Skill with:
• Office software/technology such as Microsoft Office Suite, Google Drive, and Adobe Professional; computer skills
• interpersonal skills consistent with establishing and maintaining effective working relationships; strong communication, teaching, and training skills.
• Complex problem solving.
• Written and oral communication

Ability to:
• Present information clearly and concisely.
• Present data contextualized/customized for a target audience
• Use data to make effective decisions
• Take initiative and make independent decisions
• Identify and solve problems
• Work with a diverse population
• Manage large teams of various stakeholders using multiple communications and technology platforms
• Facilitate student, faculty, and stakeholder group meetings of all types
• Develop and maintain positive collaborative working partnerships
• Manage multiple projects both independently and in teams

Physical Demands / Working Conditions