Job Listing
🔗Associate Director of Workforce Development
Website Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site, Inc.
Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site (ESPHS) is a museum interpreting the legacy of American criminal justice reform from the site of the world’s first penitentiary. The facility pioneered the large-scale use of solitary confinement in the early 19th century and housed approximately 85,000 people during its 142 years of operation. The building itself was an architectural wonder: its revolutionary wagon-wheel design has been copied by more than 300 prisons around the globe. Although the prison now stands in ruin, its story remains relevant today. Today, Eastern State Penitentiary attracts hundreds of thousands of guests from around the world each year to explore the site’s fascinating past and contemplate some of the most critical issues facing our nation. Its innovative public history program draws connections to contemporary justice reform through an approach that values multiple perspectives, amplifies marginalize voices, and respects a broad range of visitors' interests.
Location: Hybrid
Reports to: Director of Education and Tour Programs
Position Type: Full-Time, Exempt
Salary: $75-$80k
About Us:
Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site provides comprehensive support to individuals transitioning from incarceration to successful reentry coming home. Through our workforce development and holistic reentry programs, we aim to create opportunities for meaningful employment and personal growth.
Job Summary:
The Associate Director of Workforce Development and Reentry Programs will oversee and lead the strategic planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of our workforce development and reentry initiatives, including the Preservation Trades Center and LEAD Fellowship. The ideal candidate will have lived experience with the criminal justice system and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by individuals reentering society from incarceration. This role requires a compassionate leader committed to empowering individuals through education, job training, and support services.
Key Responsibilities:
Program Development and Management:
- Develop and implement comprehensive workforce development and reentry programs. Work in direct partnership with Director of Education on public programs, and with Senior Director of Preservation & Operations for preservation content.
- Oversee the day-to-day operations of all reentry and workforce development programs.
- Ensure programs are aligned with the organization’s mission and goals.
- Create and monitor program budgets, ensuring financial sustainability and efficiency.
- Travel will be required to promote the program and recruit program participants, including recruitment at local correctional facilities.
Strategic Planning:
- Collaborate with the executive team to develop long-term strategies for program growth and sustainability.
- Identify and pursue funding opportunities, including grants and partnerships.
- Conduct regular assessments of program effectiveness and implement improvements as needed.
Support and Advocacy:
- Provide direct support and mentorship to program participants.
- Advocate for the needs and rights of individuals transitioning from incarceration and facing other barriers to employment.
- Develop and maintain relationships with program partners, agencies, employers, and other stakeholders to support participants’ success.
Staff Supervision and Development:
- Recruit, train, and supervise program participants, program staff, and volunteers.
- Foster a positive and supportive work environment.
- Provide ongoing professional development opportunities for staff and program participants.
Data and Reporting:
- Collect and organize feedback from program participants and staff to assist in program evaluation and improvement.
- Maintain accurate records and data on program participants and outcomes.
- Prepare regular reports for the executive team, board of directors, program partners, and funders.
- Utilize data to drive program improvements and demonstrate impact.
- Assist in maintaining the workforce development budget, tracking expenses, and processing reimbursements.
Community Engagement:
- Represent the historic site at local and national events, meetings, and conferences.
- Build and maintain relationships and serve as main point of contact with local businesses, employers, service providers, and government agencies. This includes program updates, scheduling, professional development, and offsite trips.
- Promote awareness and understanding of reentry issues within the community.
- Schedule, plan, and execute events such as career chats, training sessions, alumni engagement and other gatherings.
Benefits
All NCPE interns received an hourly stipend, the rate is listed at each position description. Additionally, interns receive paid time off (PTO), paid Federal holidays if working full-time, and access to NCPE's Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for career and personal counseling, coaching, and referrals. Project sites may also offer a housing allowance and/or commuting stipend; this information is also listed in the description or offered during the interview.
Eligible NCPE interns who successfully complete their internships may count their position towards earning a Public Land Corps (PLC) Non-Competitive Hiring Authority certificate. To be eligible to earn a PLC certificate, an intern must be 30 years old or younger (or 35 if a veteran). Once earned, the PLC hiring authority certificate may be used to apply for eligible Federal temporary, term, or permanent positions. Successful completion of a NCPE internship does not guarantee Federal employment. Contact manager@preservenet.org for more details.
Eligibility
To be eligible, applicants must be
*at least 18 years old;
*no older than 30 years of age (or 35 years if a Veteran) when beginning the internship; applicants who are 31 or older (or 36 or older if a Veteran) are not eligible;
*currently enrolled in a degree-seeking academic program at the college level (or recently graduated within the past 12 months)
*be a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident.
Interns are not allowed to work more than 1200 hours total in the program; previous interns must stay within this overall limit. The length of an internship can vary from 10 to 30 weeks if full-time (40 hours per week) or longer if on a part-time schedule. If selected, the exact starting date will be determined by you and the NPS supervisor. The stipend rate is $17.00 per hour unless otherwise listed.
The successful candidate is responsible for finding and paying for travel to and housing at the internship location; some exceptions apply. The supervising office may be able to assist in locating housing but it is ultimately up to the individual accepting the internship to find accommodation.
The National Council requires all interns working in-person at Federal facilities and/or with Federal employees receive the Covid-19 vaccination. Please be advised that you may also be required to wear a mask, depending on the protocols adopted by your work site. Also be aware that, due to Government-wide security requirements, a background check will be required if you are selected for a position. This will include providing information about recent housing and employment history. The position supervisor will have more information about these requirements and procedures at the time of hiring. You may direct any questions to NCPE's Internship Program Director, Julee Johnson, at manager@preservenet.org.
Please note that interns are not NCPE or NPS employees. Stipends are academic awards and taxes are not withheld, nor are social security contributions made on your behalf. These funds may be taxable, however, so consult a tax preparation professional if you have questions.
How to Apply
You may review NCPE's internship opportunities anytime without registering. Use the search function to find listings by location, keyword, or area of interest/category. Once you identify one or more positions of interest, there is a 3-step application process.
Step 1: Click on the Apply for Job button, then select Universal Application. Click on Register to create a User Account, which requires a username and email. A link will be sent to you from manager@preservenet.org to create a password. We suggest that you add this email to your safe senders list so you don't miss receiving this important link. You will be instructed to Log In to Preservenet using your username or email and password, which will take you back to the Universal Application.
Step 2: The Universal Application is required to apply for all NCPE internships. You fill out this form only once. In addition to contact information, educational status, work history, and experience, it requires two attachments: (1) the 2 most recent years of academic transcripts. These may be unofficial transcripts if official versions are unavailable. A PDF is preferred, labeled Your Your Last Name_Your First Name_Transcript. (2) a resume or CV (curriculum vitae). Please limit to a maximum of 4 pages; 2 pages are preferred. A PDF is preferred but jpg, png, doc, or docx file types are accepted. Label Your Last Name_Your First Name_Resume. This form may be saved as a draft and completed later. Use the link provided to return to the form.
Step 3: Once you submit the Universal Application, you may browse and apply for NCPE internships using the link provided. Complete the application process by clicking on the Apply for job button found at each internship listing and upload the required Essay. Use the essay to explain why you are applying for an internship, including how your interest areas will benefit the National Park Service (NPS) and how the internship will further your studies and career goals. Be as specific as possible; there is a 400-word maximum length. Submit the essay to finish the application for that position. You may apply for a maximum of 6 internships during an application round; there is no limit at other times of the year. DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP!
Once the deadline for submission has passed, NPS supervisors will review the applications and may contact candidates for a phone interview. Candidates who are not selected will be notified. Please allow about 4 weeks after the deadline before inquiring about the status of your application.
Logging in with a Registered User Account and completing the Universal Application is required to apply for NCPE Internships. Please visit the Universal Application page to register for an account and complete the form. After logging in and completing the form, refreshing this listing will display the Job Application to apply online.