Employer: The Evergreen State College

Hours: 20 hrs./wk., regular business hours

Duration: Sept 1, 2021 to Sept. 1, 2022; one-year extension dependent upon funding

Location: Sustainability in Prisons Project offices (Seminar 2 E2116-2121 and E2128), in-prison programs, and remote work as needed.

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

Supervisor: Carl Elliott, Conservation Nursery Manager 360-867-6845

To apply: Send cover letter, resume, and three references to Carl Elliott, elliottc@evergreen.edu by 5:00pm, Wednesday, June 16th 2021

ORGANIZATIONAL 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
  • Available to work 20 hours a week, mainly during office hours Monday-Friday (some hours may be flexible)
  • Subject-matter and technical expertise are desirable but can be taught on the job and are not
  • Excellent social and communication skills are essential.
  • 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.
  • 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 inmate requests; employment contingent on successful Correction’s security clearance (so program access is possible!)
  • Ability to lift and moving heavy materials, trays, and flats from 20-50 lbs.
  • Willingness and ability to follow directions, collaborate on projects, and give and hear feedback.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The conservation nurseries have two program coordinators. These positions coordinate the efforts of Evergreen, WA Corrections, and conservation partners to cultivate plant materials for restoration projects in the Pacific Northwest. The two separate nurseries cultivate plants for the restoration of upland prairie habitat. Each facility is staffed by an incarcerated technician crew, WA Corrections staff liaison, and led by an SPP Conservation Nursery Coordinator under the supervision of SPP’s Conservation Nursery Manager. In addition to leading the program at a single nursery site, nursery coordinators assist with tasks in all SPP programs as needed. The position requires strong social, communication, and teaching skills. The position contributes to team building and advancing SPP as a whole. Anticipated position tasks are described below. Requested position duties may vary depending on program status, group project goals, and organization priorities.

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 and Accountability

  • Provide updates weekly to supervisor and every two weeks to the team at SPP-Evergreen staff meeting
  • Actively participate in promoting the staff team and the organization as a whole, including:
    • Participating in team meetings
    • Creating and collaborating on outreach and dissemination materials
    • Identifying and acting on relevant opportunities for inter-program support and enhancements
    • Presenting on SPP to varied audiences in multiple venues
    • Considering and contributing to proposals for new funding for SPP programs
  • Maintain good communication through regular updates with team members at each site.
  • Update task lists in current format used by SPP team.
  • Provide reports detailing accomplishments and progress as required by funding sources.
  • Reference and update program protocols.
  • Write blog entries and other website content about events and accomplishments.

Program Coordination, general

  • Cultivate and maintain positive relationships with all program partners (e.g. guest experts and their organizations) and DOC staff at host prisons.
  • Support, create and/or deliver rigorous, secondary level education leading to certification and credit for program participants.
  • Develop and update outreach materials to promote programs within and beyond WA Corrections.
  • Basic administrative tasks such as: print and copy materials, order supplies, and schedule meetings.

Conservation Nursery Tasks

  • Participate in nursery operations on site once or twice a week to assess program needs, check in with program partners, and overall ensure program success.
  • During weekly visits, work alongside the incarcerated program participants (technicians) for a full work day (i.e. a minimum of 6 hours) to promote crew moral.
  • Demonstrate a professional, positive attitude and strong work ethic; lead by example.
  • Oversee the training and education for all nursery technicians:
    • Provide tool and equipment safety training in conjunction with WA Corrections.
    • Independently generate original curricula for the cultivation of native plants, horticultural techniques, and Salish lowland prairie and wetland ecological restoration; suggest amendments and write curricula aligned with your personal skills and interests.
    • Facilitate at least twelve hands-on workshops throughout the year: cover topics such as cultivation techniques appropriate in a nursery setting, seed ecology, weed identification, integrated pest management (IPM), plant identification, botany, ecological restoration, habitat recovery strategies, and endangered species recovery.
    • Provide weekly or bi-weekly workshops on cultivation protocols on all contracted species during the growing season.
    • Lead and facilitate science seminars with inmate participants.
    • Track all educational offerings leading to technician certification and college credit according to SPP protocols.
    • Suggest lecturers for the general prison population throughout the year.
  • Accommodate the prison’s hiring requirements/process and provide suggestions for optimizing the processes.
  • Track and record all sowing, stratification, and cultivation protocols:
    • Follow checklist to record all stratification, sowing, germination, establishment, cultivation, and inventory data.
    • Oversee facility planting calendar of the sowing priorities and all data collection.
    • Direct the collection and analysis of cultivation data; oversee and ensure the quality of data collection and record keeping.
  • Identify pest and disease issues; record and report to project supervisor; research and implement disease and insect control.
  • Inventory supplies and equipment; occasionally deliver heavy materials as needed.
  • Inform program supervisor of any changes to project scope, physical site, or infrastructure needs.
  • Adapt to issues as they arise, including structure modifications and overall project scope.
  • Communicate effectively with WA Corrections staff regarding projects, work plans, and general schedule for facility visits.
  • Assist the Conservation Nursery Manager to follow WA Corrections regulations with clearances for visitors, chemicals, supplies/equipment, media, and interactions with incarcerated technicians.
  • Help identify appropriate research projects involving incarcerated technicians, and other students.
  • Assist in and develop original research supporting the goals of the conservation nursery and SPP as needed.
  • Prepare program “fact sheets” and posters for media, visitors, conferences, and outreach events.

Supervision

  • Direct the work of volunteers and undergraduate interns who provide general program and research support as needed.
  • Oversee the technician crews on conservation nursery tasks.
  • Maintain active crew member tracking in accordance with SPP protocol.
  • Work with WA Corrections staff and project supervisor to evaluate crew members by reviewing their performance and skills assessment check list; suggest possible improvements and changes to the program, scheduling, crew assignments, or staffing.
  • Facilitate and coordinate meetings with WA Corrections partners to evaluate and improve the program.
  • Provide weekly work priorities for incarcerated technicians, WA Corrections staff, conservation cooperators, and volunteers.

OPPORTUNITIES

  • Work in a collaborative, engaged community of incarcerated individuals, corrections professionals, scientists, researchers, faculty, staff, and students.
  • Work across differences to increase access to science and sustainability education; practice respect and compassion extending to all partners and stakeholders.
  • Assist in offering environmental education.
  • Present the project at conferences, publish articles, and actively share knowledge with other groups about engaging the incarcerated community in conservation and education.
  • Provide valuable contributions to SPP programs statewide and beyond.

For more information, visit sustainabilityinprisions.org