Under the general direction and supervision of the Vice President for Instruction, the Dean of UPWARD – Correctional Education Division manages/administers all aspects of correctional education, offering courses at designated correctional facilities in Nebraska. This includes planning, organizing, directing, coordinating, and evaluating activities of the division and division staff.
The UPWARD – Correctional Education Division Dean supervises administrators, professional, and support staff needed to meet the division’s needs. The Division Dean also serves as the communication link between staff and campus administration. The Dean will be responsible for the planning, administration, pedagogical approach, and evaluation of the college’s prison education activities and programs. Provide leadership for the continuous improvement of prison education programs and services. Work contacts will include administrators, faculty, staff, students, representatives of business/industry, the Department of Corrections, community organizations, and national accrediting agencies.
This position requires travel to all correctional facilities and SCC campuses as needed to perform the essential functions of the college leadership responsibility as deemed necessary, work with the campus administration and staff on each campus and department of corrections to ensure effective operations, serve as the communication link between staff and campus administration, and serve as a member of the campus and college administrative units.
This is a full-time regular position. This position offices out of Lincoln, but you must be able to work across correctional facilities and campuses in a 15-county area.
Salary
$93,435
Essential Functions
Administer Staffing and Staff Functions
- The Division Dean will recommend for appointment, organize, supervise, and evaluate division staff in cooperation with the Vice President for Instruction, with all UPWARD – Correctional Education Division staff will report to the Dean of UPWARD – Correctional Education Division. The UPWARD – Correctional Education Division Dean will work with the administration and staff of the Nebraska Department of Corrections and SCC campuses to ensure the effective operation of the division.
Manage Division Budget
- The UPWARD – Correctional Education Division Dean will develop, justify, and manage an annual budget for the division, and review and approve all expenditures of division funds. The Division Dean will work with others in the coordination of class and program offerings, coordinate course scheduling, instructional schedules, facility utilization, and assist with student registration, book orders, and student record keeping within the division and between divisions.
Participate in Area Instructional Team
- Serve as division representative on the Area Instructional Team, ad hoc committees/teams, and assist in the review formulation and revision of college operating procedures. Remain current in events and developments related to this position. Increase and improve personal administrative and supervisory skills as well as knowledge relative to prison education, and secondary and community college developments in general through supplemental sources such as in-service activities, conferences, workshops, technical updates, and personal self-study.
Lead the Development and Implementation of sound pedagogical approaches for correctional education
- Using data-informed approaches to holistic, inclusive, and quality instructional and support services, lead the development and implementation of correctional education programming that is focused on providing incarcerated individuals with the tools they need to rebuild their lives through education, skill development, and personal growth. Develop, employ, and administer the pedagogical approach needed for correctional student success that recognizes incarcerated individuals face different barriers to learning, including emotional and psychological challenges, and incorporate support services in collaboration with correctional agency staff. Ensure curricular programming that is relevant to real-world challenges faced by incarcerated students and helps individuals acquire skills and knowledge applicable to post-release life and that can facilitate their reintegration into society and reduce the likelihood of reoffending.
Ensure Compliance with Administrative Directives
- The Division Dean will review, monitor, and administer division operations to ensure these are consistent with the policies, regulations, and operating procedures of the college and campuses. Inform and interpret any changes in these directives to staff and faculty.
Plan, Implement, Administer, and Evaluate Prison Education Programming
- Develop, justify, and implement plans for the maintenance and growth of the division which are consistent with campus/college goals and objectives. This includes continuous program evaluation and refinement and an ongoing search for ways to improve the quality of instruction. Cooperation and coordination development are needed to maintain a working relationship with all divisions and programs of the college. Assist and direct the development and implementation of a college catalog, program review, course evaluations, program surveys, website and marketing updates, and research institutional effectiveness.
Reporting Internal/External
- Participate in the development and reporting of results related to prison education and correctional facility instructional spaces to internal and external constituencies. Assist in the development and distribution of an UPWARD – Correctional Education annual report.
Special Projects
- Work with the Vice President for Instruction on special projects for the instructional division or college.
Professional Growth
- Participate in professional conferences and meetings; maintain liaisons with national, regional, state, and local agencies in secondary and post-secondary opportunities.
Other Duties as Assigned
Perform related work as required to ensure the effective operation of the division. Communication and Public Relations
Communicates with the public, students, faculty, and staff daily.
- Works with community committees and organizations to promote and enhance the college and its activities. Active as a public speaker and handles campus concerns in areas of responsibility.
Participates in Accreditation/Program Reviews
- Serves as division representative responsible for evaluation of student services activities being reviewed by outside agencies.
Coordinates Student Publications
- Responsible for developing, reviewing, and revising UPWARD – Correctional Education enrollment brochures and information. Assists in the development, review, revision, and distribution of student publications such as the college catalog, program materials, alumni newsletters, schedule of classes, student services brochures, and other UPWARD – Correctional Education publications that contain student information.
Prepares and Distributes Reports
- Aids in preparing reports and institutional data related to campus student services and college admission, enrollment, recruitment, and registration activities requested by State and Federal agencies. Examples include IPEDS, CCPE, ACT, and College Board, FTE reports, Enrollment reports, and statistics. Works in collaboration with the Administrative Director of Institutional Effectiveness in the development of data.
Promote/Support Diversity, Inclusion, Equity, and Access
- Work toward creating a welcoming, inclusive, equitable, and productive work and learning environment, where all students, faculty members, and college employees are valued and may contribute to their full potential, regardless of their differences. Make concerted efforts to implement accessible and inclusive practices and processes aimed at creating a diverse and equitable learning and work environment. Commit to fostering and maintaining a safe environment of respect and inclusion for students, employees, and members of the community, and promote and support the College’s policies and programming related to access, fair employment, EEO, equity, inclusion, and diversity.
- Promote and support the College’s diversity goals; promote/support Access, Fair Employment, EEO, Equity, and Diversity programs. Promote/Support the Organizational Environment through Goal 9 of the Strategic Plan: Maximize operational efficiency by enhancing policies and procedures, staffing, and communication processes and practices. Enhance positive communication processes and practices and maximize a positive and engaging organizational environment by encouraging input, reflective and transparent communication, and compassion and respect toward the views and ideas of others.
Marginal Functions
- Maintain inventory of office and classroom equipment.
- Identify the availability of grants or similar sources of outside funding as appropriate; apply for such funds. Provide administration and reporting on grants received.
- Serve as the facilitator of any divisional teams.
- Participate in college-wide activities, meetings, and teams as appropriate to the position.
- May be required to perform associated duties, functions, or assignments in other divisions, programs, or areas as required.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
- Must be able to work varied days, hours, shifts, locations, and campuses as required.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Must be able to obtain Volunteer credentials with the Nebraska Department of Corrections.
- Knowledge of and experience in recruiting, screening, interviewing, hiring, supervising, evaluating, and motivating staff. Skill and ability to interview prospective employees and counsel current employees; conduct performance appraisals on staff.
- Knowledge of local, regional, and national aspects associated with dual credit and career education opportunities.
- Knowledge of and experience with operating budgets and using sound accounting principles for public sector entities. Ability to create and monitor a budget to manage and plan the activities of the division.
- Ability to critically review policies and procedures and to provide input on developing/formulating operative procedures for the division and college. Ability to do operational and strategic planning.
- Knowledge of methods and strategies used to motivate employees. Ability to utilize/implement effective motivational approaches to create a congenial/cohesive workgroup.
- Knowledge of and skills in facilitating group processes, managing group dynamics, and providing positive leadership. Ability to organize and direct group activities for specific tasks.
- Ability to deal courteously and tactfully with the public.
- Knowledge of current practices in secondary and higher education, primarily community colleges.
- Knowledge and experience in using computers and peripherals, Internet, and computer software applications.
- Ability to travel frequently between campus locations within the college area.
- Ability to meet timelines/deadlines.
- Ability to interact and communicate effectively with diverse audiences both orally and in writing.
- Ability to lift and carry up to (50) fifty pounds for short distances, move tables, chairs, and media equipment.
- Ability to communicate effectively both in writing, in person, and on the phone.
- Ability to use basic computer skills.
- The individual must possess the above skills and abilities or be able to explain and demonstrate that the individual can perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, using some other combination of skills and abilities.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Education, Human Relations, Psychology, Business, Administration, Criminal Justice, or a related field of study.
- Two (2) years of instructional experience in a post-secondary or secondary institution.
- Two (2) years of supervisory and leadership experience.
Desired Qualifications
- Master’s degree in education or related field.
- Supervisory and leadership experience in secondary or post-secondary education with experience in planning, budgeting, interpersonal relations, team building, motivational and communication skills, and interacting with a diverse audience of people.
- Experience in prison education.
- Experience within the carceral system.
- Technical skills to understand the delivery of course content in a variety of modalities.