Positions Currently Available

Program Assistant
Family Resource Center - SCI Graterford

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Program Assistant position is a part-time position in the Family Resource Center (FRC) that is located in the visiting rooms at Graterford prison. The goal of the FRC is to promote positive interaction between incarcerated men and their loved ones, particularly their children.

Program Assistants, of which there are three, report directly to the Program Coordinator. Each staff person can expect to work approximately 15 -20 hours per month on site at the FRC. Current hours of operation are 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Additional hours will be scheduled each month for staff and/or program planning meetings held on-site or at the Prison Society. The Program Coordinator schedules staff based on coverage requirements.

Program Assistants work as a team along with the Program Coordinator.

Job responsibilities include:

1. Facilitate activities that promote positive family relationships;
2. Provide resources for both incarcerated and non-incarcerated family members;
3. Encourage incarcerated men and their families to use FRC activities and resources;
4. Assist in the creation of program activities;
5. Model safe and healthy interpersonal and family relationships;
6. Maintain a clean and organized FRC;
7. Decorate the FRC in a family-friendly manner;
8. Document FRC activities;
9. Stay current about issues pertaining to incarceration and the family;
10. Attend staff meetings, in-services and training programs;
11. Comply with all Department of Corrections regulations and policies;
12. Represent the FRC and Prison Society in a professional and positive manner in all interactions with prison staff, incarcerated men, and their children and families;
13. Perform other tasks assigned by Program Coordinator.

 

Qualifications:

1. Associate degree from an accredited college or university required in early childhood or elementary education, psychology, social work, criminology or human services field; BA from an accredited college or university preferred in similar areas of study;
2. Minimum 1 year experience working with children and/or families;
3. Creativity and interest in creating and running family-friendly and developmentally-appropriate activities;
4. Ability to establish effective relationships incarcerated men and their families, including with children;
5. Ability to relate to different kinds of people;
6. Knowledge of child development and/or the needs of families and children with incarcerated loved ones;
7. Strong communication and problem solving skills;
8. Initiative-taker and team player;
9. Transportation required;
10. Spanish speaking a plus;
11. Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance (no more than 1 year old).

The Prison Society is an equal opportunity employer. Retirees and ex-offenders are encouraged to apply. Travel allowance is available when appropriate.

Submit cover letter and resume to:
   
    Andre Myers,Human Resources Coordinator
    245 N. Broad Street, Ste. 300
    Philadelphia, PA 19107

Submission of cover letter and resume via email is preferred.

S.T.E.P. Case Manager
SCI Graterford (Montgomery County)

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Services To Elder Prisoners Program(S.T.E.P.) of the Pennsylvania Prison Society is a prison-based program designed to assist prisoners age 50 and older to acclimate and adjust to prison life, develop and/or improve life skills, and prepare for successful reintegration into the community.

Job responsibilities include:

1. Timely preparation and submission of daily, weekly and monthly paperwork including client service logs and supporting documentation for contract reimbursement.
2. Preparation of call out lists for each institution prior to each group, workshop and/or individual session.
3. Providing weekly and monthly statistical reports on level of service indicators related to the S.T.E.P. Project when requested.
4. Enhancing educational curricula, training materials, and programming as necessary to support the success of participants.
5. Providing additional resource material pertinent to the ongoing development of S.T.E.P. Project resources.
6. Recruiting, training and supervising those who serve as mentors and resource persons to prisoners enrolled in the S.T.E.P. Project.
7. Participating as a presenter in staff and volunteer training and development.
8. Developing and maintaining professional relationships with prisoners, corrections staff, community-based service providers and Prison Society staff.
9. Creating linkages in the community to support the success of the S.T.E.P. Project and its participants.
10. Initiating contacts with family and community networks to develop Homeplan Release Packets and provide a copy of the completed form to the appropriate Correctional Counselor for filing in the DC-14.

Qualifications:

1. Bachelors degree, or relevant life experience, within one or more of the allied fields of social work, education, psychology, and/or gerontology and at least one year of direct social service delivery experience.
2. A valid Pennsylvania driver's license and access to an automobile.
3. Employment is contingent upon approval of visiting privileges by the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections.
4. Computer skills a must (word, publisher, excel)
5. Must be able to work independently and as part of the communications team.
6. Must be willing to take initiative.
7. Reports to Director of Communications and Development

Duties::

The Case Manager will conduct an ongoing series of life skills workshops and individual counseling sessions to build the self-esteem, communication and mediation skills of older prisoners, enabling the elder inmate to adjust to prison life and/or successfully reintegrate into the community upon his release from SCI Graterford. The Case Manager will work closely with the Project Manager in conducting the ongoing review of institutional needs as related to the elder population, provide adjustments to programming as necessary, and participate in supervisory visits and meetings.

The Prison Society is an equal opportunity employer. Retirees and ex-offenders are encouraged to apply. Travel allowance is available when appropriate.

Submit cover letter and resume to:
   
    Doug Albertson, S.T.E.P. Program Manager
    PO Box 1711
    Wilkes-Barre, PA 18703

Submission of cover letter and resume via email is preferred.