Job Description

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title

Administrative Director of the Penn Prison Education and Reentry Initiative (1 Year Limited Term)

Job Profile Title

Associate Director B, Academic Affairs, Academic Center

Job Description Summary

The Administrative Director will be responsible for the development and administration of Penn’s Prison Education and Reentry Initiative (Penn PERI), along with the coordination of existing work related to education inside of prisons, and supporting efforts to identify, document, and build a network of, leveraging knowledge on campus and off to address issues related to incarceration, and educational efforts at Penn to further inform students, staff, faculty and community members about the legal system and its consequences in Philadelphia. The Director of Civic House will supervise this position.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

• Develop Penn’s Prison Education Program: Develop a clear vision for university-wide support and participation; create and realize a plan for sustainability and growth; coordinate course offerings and situate Penn courses within pathways to credentials for incarcerated students; develop a pathway for formerly incarcerated students to access educational opportunities, along with educational and reentry resources; create a program budget.
• Development and Alumni Relations: Coordinate with colleagues in the office of Development and Alumni Relations, external groups, and individuals to connect to external funding support, building a model for sustainable maintenance and growth of the program. • Working with the Civic House Director and colleagues in Development and Alumni Relations, coordinate cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of current and potential supporters.
• Support Existing Efforts Related to Incarceration at Penn: Seek out, identify, and document faculty doing existing work related to incarceration at Penn; support opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration and connecting efforts among faculty and with local non-profits and formerly incarcerated community leaders; create opportunities to bring together faculty involved in related work to build community, education, and opportunities for collaboration.
• Faculty Recruitment and Training: Identify faculty interested in teaching inside prison; develop a training program for faculty to prepare for quality teaching inside, support faculty in the development of courses.
• Connection to Local and National Prison Education Efforts: Stay current on research, best practices, national trends, and fundraising opportunities by connecting with national networks and national models for prison education; serve on regional networks to stay informed about state-wide policies, and connected to university partners; work with local non-profit organizations supporting incarcerated students, along with reentry organizations that support resources people need when returning home.
• Leading a Relationship to State and Local Corrections and Prisons: coordination with the Department of Corrections, correctional facilities, city offices, and non-profit organizations needed to support for faculty teaching inside and for incarcerated students returning home to Philadelphia; act as a liaison to the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections and SCI-Chester facilities and staff, to develop and implement opportunities for faculty to teach credit-bearing courses in prison, eventually connecting courses to degree-granting programs.
• Civic House Responsibilities: participate and contribute to Civic House strategic planning; work to integrate prison education efforts with Civic House programming; coordinate resource-sharing and maintain regular communication with other Civic House staff; participate in broader Civic House events and programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's and 2-3 years of relevant work experience involving Higher Education in prison or equivalent combination of education and experience. Master’s degree highly preferred.
• Applicants should possess a deep understanding of and commitment to implementing educational opportunities in prisons, working with prison administrations, building relationships with incarcerated students, prison staff, university administrators, and faculty necessary for a successful program.
• Experience working closely with faculty and incarcerated populations is desirable.
• Applicants must also be able to demonstrate strong organizational, facilitation, writing, program management, and fundraising skills, as well as a high level of initiative.
• Proficient computer skills required including Word processing and database use; the successful candidate will have experience with additional software and with navigating and creating internet-based resources, including social media and other content.

** Please note that this is a 1-year term position with a target end date of January 2028.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Provost Interdisciplinary Programs

Pay Range

$58,506.00 - $75,000.00 Annual Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job’s level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state or local law.

Special Requirements

Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.
• Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.
• Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.
• Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.
• Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.
• Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.
• Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.
• University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.
• Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.
• Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.
• Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.
• Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.

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To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay