Posting Details (Default Section)
Posting Number:20254362SPosition Title:Assistant Director - SCI PhoenixPosition Type:StaffLocation:Villanova, PARecruitment Type:Internal/External ApplicantsWork Schedule:full-time/12-monthsAvg Hours WeekDepartment:130-Dean-Arts and SciencesPosition Summary:
The Assistant Director will work closely with the Program Director to support the day-to-day operations and long-term sustainability of the Prison Education Program at SCI Phoenix. This position plays a critical role in ensuring the smooth delivery of academic and co-curricular programming inside the correctional facility, and in maintaining systems that uphold the quality, integrity, and mission of the program.
Villanova is a Catholic university sponsored by the Augustinian Order. The University is an equal opportunity employer and seeks candidates who understand, respect and can contribute to the University’s mission and values.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Program Operations & Systems Management:
Assist in developing and maintaining administrative systems for admissions, enrollment, academic record-keeping, marketing, and communications, including managing the program’s social media presence. Support program evaluation and reporting by maintaining accurate and up-to-date student and program data.
- Academic & Co-Curricular Programming:
Help coordinate all aspects of the academic calendar inside the facility, including course scheduling, registration, and classroom logistics. Manage co-curricular offerings such as lecture series, tutoring programs, student events, and enrichment workshops.
- Faculty & Volunteer Support:
Help provide recruitment of faculty and onboarding and ongoing support to faculty teaching in the facility. Assist with classroom preparation, communication between faculty and facility staff, and distribution of materials. Supervise and train student teaching assistants and volunteers, ensuring their alignment with program expectations and prison protocols.
- Student Support Coordination:
Schedule and help facilitate academic advising, library access, and other student services. Serve as a point of contact and advocate for student needs, helping to identify and remove barriers to participation and success.
- Materials & Resource Management:
Coordinate the purchase and distribution of instructional materials, including books and supplies. Manage the photocopying and delivery of course packets and supplemental materials for faculty and students (including purchasing and shipping textbooks to the facility).
- Facility and Stakeholder Coordination:
Maintain effective communication with correctional staff and administrators to ensure program activities comply with facility regulations. Collaborate with external partners and university offices to support program initiatives.
- Student Engagement & Mentorship:
Serve as a professional and approachable presence within the classroom environment. Foster a culture of respect, accountability, and academic excellence among students. Depending on administrative demands and qualifications, the Assistant Director may have the opportunity to teach in the program as an adjunct.
- Additional Duties
- Managing orientation, clearance, and scheduling for all faculty
- Assisting the Director in coordinating all student support, including course registration and managing incarcerated student enrollments and changes, creating student schedules and rosters for faculty and facility, facilitating advising and academic support, including library resources, materials and other requests, and creating, updating, and distributing semester calendars.
- Managing the purchase, copying and scanning, and distribution of all course materials.
- Helping to onboard new faculty, ensure they are prepared with course materials for course start, and troubleshooting any issues.
- Providing general support across program site when needed.
Minimum Qualifications:
Formal Education
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution required
Work Experience
- 2–3 years of experience working in educational settings, particularly with system-impacted or justice-involved populations, or within correctional environments.
- Professional background as a staff or faculty member in a higher education institution.
- Demonstrated experience developing and refining administrative processes and systems.
- Proficient in managing various forms of data and maintaining accurate records.
- Proven ability to handle confidential information with discretion and professionalism.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Work Skills (e.g., written and verbal communication skills)
- Strong organizational abilities and a proactive approach to problem-solving.
- Capable of managing multiple responsibilities, meeting deadlines, and adapting to evolving circumstances.
- High emotional intelligence, maturity, and discretion in navigating sensitive situations and interpersonal dynamics.
- Effective communicator who can represent the program’s mission and values with clarity and professionalism.
- Demonstrated ability to build relationships and collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders from incarcerated students and correctional staff to university faculty and administrators.
- Willingness and ability to travel to and work within correctional facilities.
Specific Job Knowledge (e.g., knowledge of principles and procedures related to field and area)
- Deep commitment to educational equity and a belief in the transformative potential of higher education for incarcerated individuals.
- Familiarity with the criminal justice system and current issues in criminal justice reform.
- Ability to effectively liaise across institutional lines, including with university departments and the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections.
- Embody and promote the values of care, compassion, justice, integrity, competence, and affirmation.
- Demonstrated commitment to treating all program participants, especially students, with fairness, dignity, and respect.
- Must meet eligibility requirements for clearance to work inside correctional facilities as a volunteer.
Equipment Knowledge
- Proficiency in MS Office suite and use of Google Drive
Other:
- Must have valid driver’s license
Preferred Qualifications:
Formal Education
- Master’s degree preferred
Work Experience
- 2-3 years of experience serving in a Prison Education Program.
- Experience working in educational settings, with system-impacted or justice-involved populations, or in correctional environments strongly preferred.
Physical Requirements and/or Unusual Work Hours: Special Message to Applicants:Posting Date:05/12/2025Closing Date (11:59pm ET):Salary Posting Information:
Commensurate with experience.
Salary Band:13Job Classification:exempt
