Work for THEI

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 to 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.

Benefits: 

The 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.

Job Responsibilities (organized by stakeholder): 

THEI Students:

• Build relationships and rapport with THEI students in multiple cohorts
• Meet with incarcerated students on a regular basis; engage with them around developed college access materials and collect their feedback
• Maintain an organized portfolio of resources throughout a creative and iterative process
• Collect, organize, and maintain records of student feedback
• Assist in the administration of student surveys, focus groups, and other means of collecting data
• Communicate clearly and effectively with students, TDOC staff, and relevant THEI partners

Student Resources Team: 

• Work effectively both independently and in a team environment
• Enjoy 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 resources

THEI Students, Staff, Alumni, and Community Partners: 

• Understand THEI's mission in a larger social justice context
• Communicate and collaborate effectively with THEI staff outside of the Student Resources team 
• Build and maintain positive rapport with prison administration and staff, and other initiative partners
• Commit to using Person First language because evidence shows that language can shape perceptions about an incarcerated person's capacity to change
• Contribute meaningfully to an effort to break cycles of poverty and incarceration

Qualifications: 

• Minimum 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 preferred
• Proficiency in Google Suite, particularly Google Calendar, Sheets, Docs, and Slides
• Ability and willingness to organize and manage data
• Exceptional administrative, as well as superb written and verbal communication skills
• Valid driver’s license and the ability to travel to and from prison on a regular basis
• Flexible schedule, including the ability to work in the evenings
• Timeliness around email correspondence and project completion 
• Investment in relationship-building and a passion for creating partnerships with diverse populations
• Energy for creative problem solving 
• Willingness to navigate “gray” areas with intentionality and sound judgment
• Commitment to self-care, social justice, and equity
• Emotional intelligence with the ability to balance healthy boundaries, maintain professionalism with the incarcerated student population, and follow guidelines received from the Tennessee Department of Correction
• Must be eligible to be a badged TDOC contractor

Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and resume to work@thei.org 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. 

The Tennessee Higher Education Initiative (THEI) is a non-profit organization working to disrupt systems of harm and create opportunities for autonomy and success by providing college access to people inside Tennessee prisons, preparing students for skillful re-entry, and reducing barriers to continued education and achievement. THEI is grassroots, community organization committed to principles of harm reduction, healing, and centering the lived experiences of the people we serve. We engage in reimagining and building towards the world we want to see through systems work and direct service.

THEI seeks an Alumni Services Coordinator. This position is full-time, exempt, and primarily located at THEI’s Nashville office, with some occasional travel to other parts of Tennessee. THEI’s Transitional Programs (TP) portfolio provides reentry support on both sides of their incarceration, but the Alumni Services Coordinator is primarily responsible for providing support to THEI students after they have left prison, including supporting those in the immediate first days of reentry, as well as those with much longer reentry experiences. The Alumni Services Coordinator will act in a case management capacity, providing direct support as well as referrals and warm handoffs to other critical resources and services, including job training programs, educational opportunities, housing assistance, healthcare providers, mental health services, substance treatment programs, family services, and other opportunities for self- actualization. 

This position requires some flexibility with work hours, including the ability to work some nights and occasional weekends for special events or special circumstances. The ideal candidate must have a reliable car, and be comfortable collaborating with formerly incarcerated individuals. We encourage individuals who have been directly impacted by the criminal justice system to apply. 

Priority will be given to applicants who demonstrate a strong commitment to providing service to at-risk populations and understand the mission of THEI to be located within a larger social justice movement. Further, we seek applicants who have experience with case management, career counseling, navigating college admissions and financial aid, or other relevant one-on-one advising or success coaching experience. Knowledge of the Tennessee public higher education ecosystem or the landscape of reentry service providers in Tennessee would be a benefit. 

The starting salary is $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. The review of applications will begin immediately.

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. 

Qualifications: 

Core Requirements

• Associate or Bachelor’s degree with 1-3 years experience in case management, social work, public health, college counseling, or a related field 
• Demonstrated experience with motivational interviewing, one-on-one success coaching, or action-planning and advising 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Drive 
• The ability to collect, organize and manage data
• Flexible schedule, including the ability to work occasionally in the evenings and some Saturdays 
• Willingness to utilize communication tools such as Zoom, Slack, and email to proactively keep in constant touch with colleagues who may be working remotely or traveling. 
• Must be eligible to be a badged TDOC contractor.
• A proactive approach to outreach and correspondence, and timeliness with email 
• Investment in relationship-building and passion for creating partnerships ○ Energy for creative problem-solving.
• Commitment to self-care

Social Justice Requirements

• A strong commitment to providing service to at-risk populations and understanding the mission of THEI to be located within a larger social-justice movement
• A strong commitment to breaking cycles of poverty and incarceration
• A commitment to use Person First and humanizing language 

Key Responsibilities: 

Case Management

• Position yourself as an accessible source of support to students in their initial days of reentry by collaborating closely with colleagues who worked with the student pre-release, leading efforts to establish and maintain contact with the transitioning student, investing in building trust, meeting students where they are, and responding proactively to the student’s emerging reentry needs. 
• Connect students and alumni with community resources and services, including but not limited to: job training programs, educational opportunities, housing assistance, healthcare providers, mental health services, substance abuse treatment programs, and legal aid services. 
• Facilitate access to public benefits such as SNAP (EBT). 
• Advocate for alumni to ensure they receive the necessary support and services to address their needs. 
• Provide ongoing case management support to alumni, monitoring progress towards goals and addressing barriers as they arise. 
• Offer workshops and individual coaching sessions to develop essential life skills, such as budgeting, time management, communication, conflict 
• resolution, and decision-making. 
• Provide guidance on navigating daily challenges and making positive choices. ○ Providing job search assistance, resume writing, interview preparation, and vocational training referrals. 
• Match clients with mentors who have successfully navigated reentry themselves, providing guidance and support based on shared experiences. ○ Encourage engagement in pro-social activities as appropriate, promoting a sense of belonging and social connectedness. 
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records, documenting interactions, progress, and referrals. 
• Make warm handoffs to college partners to ensure the seamless transition of
• Support for students leaving prison, and helping students proactively and soundly pursue post-secondary education opportunities. 
• Guide students through the college application process with the goal of helping students have ample access to information and autonomy.

Partnership

• Build and maintain rapport with prison administration and staff, particularly re-entry staff (including Re-Entry Counselors, IPOs, and re-entry Navigators)
• Serve as liaison between students and college partners in preparation for transition. 
• Build and nurture relationships with reentry organizations, state agency partners, and service providers across the state. 
• Build relationships with corporate partners to create a network of employment opportunities for THEI students returning to their communities. 
• Maintain updated contacts and resource lists for referrals and warm handoffs.

Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and resume to work@thei.org with “Alumni Coordinator” in the subject line.