Sustainability in Prisons Project (SPP)

Conservation Program Coordinator

Position Title: Conservation Program Coordinator

Employer: The Evergreen State College

Hours: 20 hrs. /wk., regular business hours; occasionally more hours requested

Duration: October 2022 to September 2023; One-year extension dependent upon funding.

Location:   Remote Access to Campus as Required and Sustainability in Prisons Project offices (Seminar 2 E2116-2121 and 2128)

Pay: $17.50/hour; additional funding may be available for thesis work on a SPP topic

Supervisor: Carl Elliott, Conservation Nursery Manager 360 259-1576 cell

To apply: Send cover letter, resume, and three references to Carl Elliott elliottc@evergreen.edu 

Closing Date: Tuesday, October 4^th, 2022

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 all 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
• Available to work 20 hours a week, during office hours Monday-Friday (some hours may be flexible). Willingness to work on occasion weekends as needed.
• Subject-matter and technical expertise are desirable, but can be taught on the job and are not required
• Excellent social and communication skills are essential.
• Current driver’s license and available and reliable vehicle for trips to prisons in western Washington (mileage will be reimbursed)
• 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; employment contingent on successful Correction’s security clearance (so program access is possible!)
• Willingness to work in a team setting, collaborate on projects, give, and hear feedback and ability to follow directions
• 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 to reduce potential spread of the virus.   

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

This position integrates two of SPP’s conservation programs into one position with a common goal. The position assists in the coordination of the captive rearing of Taylor’s checkerspot butterflies at Mission Creek Corrections Center for Women (MCCCW) in Belfair, WA and coordinates the production of seed for prairie restoration at Washington Corrections Center (WCC) in Shelton, WA. This is a unique opportunity to participate in vital habitat and endangered species recovery. 

Since 2012, SPP partners have operated the Taylor’s Checkerspot Captive Rearing program at MCCCW. Following approved protocols, incarcerated technicians receive education and training to nurture butterflies through each life stage to assist in the recovery of this federally endangered species. The captive rearing program supports broader butterfly recovery efforts led by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. SPP seeks a qualified candidate to collaborate with the current Butterfly Program Coordinator to maintain a high-quality butterfly education and training program. The position will also have responsibility for data tracking. 

The conservation nursery coordinator supports Evergreen, WA Corrections, and conservation partners to operate education and training programs cultivating native plant materials for restoration projects. The WCC seed nursery focuses on plants that are challenging to cultivate; the seed produced is used for restoration in upland prairie habitat. An incarcerated technician crew, WA Corrections staff liaison, and the SPP Conservation Nursery Coordinator staff the program with supervision provided by SPP’s Conservation Nursery Manager.  

RESPONSIBILITIES

The primary responsibilities of all SPP program coordinators are monitoring and safeguarding program health, contributing to team building, advancing SPP organization goals, and cultivating and maintaining positive relationships with program partners. New hires will be responsible for learning subject-matter expertise and will be supported with training. 

ACCOUNTABILITY AND TEAM PARTICIPATION

• Monitor and safeguard overall health of the programs; participate in ongoing program improvement and problem solving. 
• Follow all WADOC (Department of Corrections) regulations for required training, clearances; including visitors, chemicals, supplies/equipment, media, and interactions with incarcerated participants. 
• Activelyparticipate in promoting the staff team and the organization as a whole, including: 
• Participating in team meetings. 
• Creating and collaborating on outreach and dissemination materials. 
• Supporting relevant opportunities for inter-program enhancements. 
• Presenting on SPP to varied audiences in multiple venues. 
• Basic administrative tasks such as: print and copy materials, order supplies, and scheduling, meetings, developing agendas, taking notes, etc.
• Engage with SPP supervisor, incarcerated technicians, and partners to learn program protocols, procedures,and tracking systems as needed. 

Communication and Tracking 

• Cultivate positive relationships and maintain effective communication with allpartners and supervisors including regular status updates, work plans, and schedule.  
• Actively participate in regular communication with supervisor and peer coordinators 
• Provide updates weekly to supervisor and every two weeks at SPP-Evergreen staff meetings. 
• Maintain task lists, calendar, and program tracking data both technical and educational
• Provide reports detailing accomplishments and progress as required by partners.  
• Reference and update program procedures and protocols.  
• Write web and social media content about events and accomplishments. 
• Develop and update outreach, training, education, and support materials for program participants

Butterfly Program  

• Work in partnership with the Butterfly Program Coordinator to determine the most efficient way to share tasks and manage time; serve as back up for facility visits.
• Effectively address project issues and communicate progress with all partners including incarcerated technicians, WA Corrections, WDFW, Oregon, and SPP staff. 
• Support data entry and tracking for reports. 
• Support program supply purchases. 
• Coordinate with SPP staff, incarcerated technicians, and other partners to develop and steward butterfly education and training materials. 
• Edit program documents and communications. 
• Track certificates, reflective writing assignments, education and training provided, and technician hours. 
• Support new technicians during on boarding and exit processes (entering metadata, new hire paperwork packet, providing procedure and protocol documents, reentry packets, etc.) 

Conservation Nursery Program  

• Participate in nursery operations on site twice a month to assess program needs, check in with program partners, and ensure overall program success  
• Demonstrate a professional, positive attitude and strong work ethic to all participants  
• Oversee the training and education for all nursery technicians through workshops and seminars 
• Track and record all sowing, stratification, and cultivation protocols 
• Identify pest and disease issues; record and report to project supervisor; implement disease and insect control 
• Inventory supplies and equipment; occasionally deliver heavy materials as needed 
• Assist research supporting the goals of the conservation nursery and SPP as needed 
• Maintain active crew tracking in accordance with SPP protocol 
• Work with WA Corrections supervisor to hire, train and evaluate crew members