Higher Education in Prison Field Coordinator

Posting closing date: September 23, 2026

PURPOSE OF POSITION

The University System of Maryland (USM) is seeking a Higher Education in Prison Field Coordinator to support the Office of Academic and Student Affairs (ASA) in the successful implementation of "Aligning Services for Justice-Impacted Students within the University System of Maryland", USM's grant from the Ascendum Education Group. This position also supports all other aspects of USM's prison education efforts.

This is a one-year contract position that is eligible for annual renewal. Funding for the position is tied to the grant, which is currently scheduled to continue through Fall 2029.

Responsibilities

Program Development

• Assists the Director in the development and implementation of retention, reentry, and student success strategies across USM and partner institutions.
• Assists USM campuses with developing standard operating practices for helping students transition from the prison campus to the community campus.
• Develops training materials and conducts training on best practices for supporting justice-impacted college students for USM campus student support service departments
• Develops, implements, and maintains an alumni network of justice-impacted graduates of Maryland colleges and universities
• Assists in the development, coordination, and support of regional education/reentry hubs

Partnerships & Opportunity Development

• Builds relationships with USM institutions' units responsible for student access, retention, and success
• Collaborates with USM institutions and other Maryland college partners to develop a coordinated approach to providing student support services for justice-impacted college students
• Builds and maintains relationships with employers, workforce development programs, community organizations, and reentry service providers throughout Maryland
• Participates in local, state, and national conversations related to higher education in prison, reentry, retention, and post-release student success

Administrative Support

• Develops and maintains resource lists and student-facing materials
• Collaborates with colleges and universities to develop strategies for tracking retention and reentry outcomes.
• Handles administrative tasks such as scheduling meetings, sending communications, drafting reports, and maintaining project documentation
• Assists in the planning of yearly USM prison education symposiums

ANNUAL SALARY

$75,000 - $90,000

Requirements

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.

Experience

• Two (2) years of experience in reentry support, student services, workforce development, social services or related fields
• Experience supporting individuals from diverse or underserved populations
• Experience building relationships with community partners, students, clients, or program participants

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Ability to comply with all policies and procedures of Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills
• Knowledge of the national higher education in prison landscape
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills
• Ability to interact professionally, patiently and diplomatically with a wide variety of constituencies
• Strong organizational, project coordination, time management, written and verbal communication, and presentation skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines simultaneously
• Detail-orientation and strong follow-through
• Proficiency with of MS Office applications and collaboration tools such as SharePoint
• Demonstrated commitment to educational access and student success
• Ability to travel to PEP program sites and partner locations across Maryland

Preferred Qualifications

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in higher education administration, public policy, criminal justice, or a related field.

Experience

• Experience in reentry support, student services, workforce development, correctional education, or related work
• Experience working directly with justice-impacted populations
• Experience working in correctional, prison education, or other high-security institutional settings
• Experience developing or implementing student success, retention, transition, or reentry programs
• Experience building or managing alumni engagement, mentorship, or community programs
• Experience facilitating trainings, workshops, or technical assistance initiatives

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Knowledge of barriers facing individuals returning from incarceration through professional, volunteer, community-based, or direct lived experience.
• Familiarity with Maryland reentry resources, workforce development programs, and community support networks
• Administrative, teaching, or advising experience within a post-secondary educational setting.

Benefits

• Paid Leave: 22 days of annual leave, 15 days of sick & safe leave, 16-17 holidays, 3 personal leave days, 12 weeks paid family medical leave
• Health Benefits: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with flexible spending accounts
• Retirement Plans: Supplemental retirement options with major providers like Empower, Fidelity, and TIAA
• Life Insurance: Optional term life and AD&D benefits through MetLife
• Tuition Benefits: Tuition remission for employees and their families
• Training & Development: Free professional development conferences and unlimited LinkedIn Learning access
• Credit Union Access: Membership eligibility for SECU, Maryland's largest credit union
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Free counseling, legal, financial, and work-life support services