Employer: The Evergreen State College

Hours: 20 hrs./week during regular business hours while class is in session; likely additional hours during break weeks and summer quarter

Duration: August 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022 one-year extension dependent on funding

Location: Sustainability in Prisons Project offices (Seminar 2 E 2128, 2116-2121) & remotely as needed

Pay: $16.50/hour; additional funding may be available for thesis work on an SPP topic

Supervisor: Emily Passarelli, SPP Education & Outreach Manager

To apply: Send cover letter and resume to Emily Passarelli, Emily.passarelli@evergreen.edu  by 5:00PM June 16th, 2021

ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND

The Sustainability in Prisons Project is a partnership founded by the Evergreen State College (Evergreen) and the Washington Department of Corrections (WA Corrections). Program coordinators work collaboratively with both founding partners, plus various program partners, to advance SPP’s mission and vision:

Mission: We empower sustainable change by bringing nature, science, and environmental education into prisons.

Vision: In response to the dual crises of ecological degradation and mass incarceration, we aim to reduce recidivism while improving human well-being and ecosystem health. SPP brings together incarcerated individuals, scientists, corrections staff, students, and program partners to promote education, conserve biodiversity, practice sustainability, and help build healthy communities. Together, we reduce the environmental, economic, and human costs of prisons.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Currently enrolled in an Evergreen graduate program
  • For fall, winter and spring quarters, available 20 hrs./week (typically 4-5 hour shifts 4 days/week during office hours); plus additional hours during academic year breaks, as resources are available.
  • Available and reliable vehicle for trips to prisons in Washington (mileage will be reimbursed)
  • Subject-matter and technical expertise are desirable, but can be taught on the job and  are not as critical as excellent social and communication
  • Willingness and ability to recruit and orient new partners
  • Willingness and ability to work safely in a correctional setting and to communicate and collaborate with Corrections staff and supervisors to address concerns and respond to requests from incarcerated individuals; employment contingent on successful Correction’s security clearance (so program access is possible!)
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills: good at active listening and at asserting role and best practices
  • Administrative experience and/or aptitude
  • Willingness and ability to follow directions, collaborate on projects, and give, hear, and respond to feedback
  • This position will include in-prison site visits as it is safe to do so. The Coordinator must be willing to follow all COVID protocols created by SPP and WA Corrections in order to reduce potential spread of the virus.

RESPONSIBILITIES

This position will coordinate efforts of multiple partner organizations (including Evergreen and WA Corrections) to provide and track environmental education programs. Current programs include peer-led Foundations in Gardening course and Roots of Success (Roots), an environmental literacy program and Beekeeping education. For peer-led programs, incarcerated individuals serve as facilitators, mentors, instructors, subject-matter experts, and/or program administrators and participants receive a certificate for successful completion. Beekeeping education is supported by local beekeeping experts and certification is provided by Washington State Beekeeping Association. All SPP environmental education programs include support from SPP-Evergreen including regular check-ins, student and administrative tracking, access to reporting, certificate recognition, and celebration.

At this time, there are about 20 active environmental education programs in 12 Washington prisons. Supporting and advancing these programs are the position’s primary focus and responsibility. All involve statewide outreach and partnership building, and require strong communication skills and frequent problem solving. Also, as a member of the SPP-Evergreen team, the position contributes to team building and advancing SPP as a whole. Specific tasks detailed below.

The primary responsibilities of all SPP program coordinators are to maintain a thriving program, while cultivating positive relationships with all program partners. This position requires adaptability, persistence, and dedication to effective communication. New hires will be responsible for learning subject-matter expertise, and this effort will be supported on-the-job with early and ongoing trainings. 

Reporting, Accountability, and Advancing SPP

  • Provide updates weekly to supervisor and every two weeks to the team at SPP-Evergreen staff meetings.
  • Actively participate in promoting the staff team and the organization as a whole, including:
    • Participate in team meetings.
    • Create and collaborate on outreach and dissemination materials
  • Identify and act on relevant opportunities for inter-program support and enhancements
    • Present on SPP to varied audiences in multiple venues
    • Consider and contribute to proposals for new funding for SPP programs
  • Maintain good communication through regular updates with team members at each site.
  • Update tasks lists and keep current in a format agreeable to coordinator and supervisors.
  • Provide reports detailing accomplishments and progress as required by funding source.

Program Coordination

  • Monitor and support successful operation of peer-led education programs, at each facility and state-wide; participate in ongoing program improvement and problem solving.
  • Cultivate and maintain communication and positive relationships with all program partners: Evergreen and DOC staff, incarcerated individuals, and participants from other organizations (e.g., Washington State Beekeepers Association, local beekeeping experts, gardening experts, etc.), Roots of Success staff, and DOC staff at host prisons;
  • Recruit and orient new program partners; act as the point of contact for all.
  • Coordinate and track efforts of Evergreen, WA Corrections, beekeeping partners, and Roots staff to deliver the programs, especially educational curricula, to incarcerated individuals at multiple sites in Washington. Draft program reports as needed.
  • Satisfying these responsibilities typically entails:
    • Track updates to curricula, supplementary materials, program surveys, and other required paperwork; distribute updates to all program facilities.
    • Synthesize input from all partners to update program planning documents and “How-to” (administrative guides) with expectations and tasks specific to all program roles.
    • Maintain (and improve as needed) systems for tracking program activities and progress; share tracking tools and information with partners as needed.
    • Visit prison sites across the state to assist with program planning, implementation, and delivery. Occasionally attend classroom sessions and graduation events.
    • Coordinate and support peer-facilitator & -instructor trainings.
  • Assist with program evaluation as needed: support formal evaluation (survey programs) and actively solicit, record and enter meaningful testimonials from all program partners.
  • Develop and update outreach and support materials to promote programs.
  • Promote and support other activities, learning materials, and inclusion of job training to enhance and complement programs and create opportunities for course graduates.
    • Leran about and contribute to peer-led education models and successful practices for prison education programs. As time and resources allow, contribute to new peer-led education programs and initiative
    • Basic administrative tasks such as: print/copy materials, order supplies, and schedule meetings.
    • Coordinate Roots of Success Master Trainer and instructor trainings, and attend as needed.
    • Promote and support inclusion of beekeeping education and Washington State Beekeepers Association (or equivalent) certification for every beekeeping program; determine preferred strategies for course delivery in prison, and disseminate and support those strategies.
    • Other duties as assigned.

OPPORTUNTIES

  • Work in a collaborative, engaged community of incarcerated people, scientists, researchers, technicians, corrections professionals, faculty, staff, and students.
  • Provide valuable contributions to other SPP programs.
  • Assist in offering environmental literacy curricula to incarcerated adults.
  • Work across differences to increase access to science and sustainability education; practice respect and compassion extending to all partners and stakeholders.
  • Contribute to protocol, directive, systems and policy development to increase access to science and sustainability education and training for current and previously incarcerated people.
  • Provide valuable contributions to SPP statewide and beyond.

To learn more, visit http://sustainabilityinprisons.org/