Corrections Education Navigator (SCCC)

Grays Harbor College•Aberdeen, WA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Corrections, in partnership with Grays Harbor College, offers educational services to incarcerated students at Stafford Creek Corrections Center (SCCC). This role involves working within a correctional facility, requiring the ability to pass an NCIC background check and maintain continual access. The Corrections Education Navigator reports to the Associate Dean of Education at SCCC and is responsible for guiding students through various educational programs, including Adult Basic Education, Vocational, Post-Secondary, and academic support services. The position also involves coordinating with Navigators at other community colleges and DOC Counselors to ensure a smooth transition for students upon release. Grays Harbor College is committed to student learning, faculty and student success, fostering an inclusive and culturally relevant environment, and managing resources effectively. This is a full-time, grant-funded position, contingent on continued funding.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in a related field from an accredited college or university – or - Combination of education and/or work experience related to career readiness, career counseling or career navigation.
Experience working in an educational and/or vocational workforce setting.
Experience working with diverse populations.
Experience and intermediate skills with Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, or other business software.
Must be able to pass an N.C.I.C. background check and be cleared to work in a prison.
Must be able to attend 4-week Department of Corrections CORE training and all annual required trainings.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in a carceral setting.
Experience developing educational and employment pathways or resources for hard-to-place clients.
Knowledge of community resource services.

Responsibilities

Participate in facility orientations and provide ongoing guidance on accessing postsecondary and/or pre-apprenticeship programs available to students during incarceration.
Develop educational plans with students to be incorporated into the Individual Reentry Plans (IRP) with counselors, the Department reentry navigators, community corrections staff, and multidisciplinary teams in accordance with RCW 72.09.270.
Assist students with applying for college including completing and submitting financial aid and scholarship applications, coordinating phone calls or virtual meetings with colleges and/or apprenticeships in the community, addressing student loan debt, and establishing repayment plans.
Engage incarcerated students who complete their high school equivalency to explore additional pre-apprenticeship and postsecondary education opportunities, including access to employment data on specific programs.
Assist students with acquiring high school and postsecondary transcripts from previous educational programs.
Coordinate with Community-based Education Navigators to facilitate a smooth transition from prison to postsecondary education and apprenticeship programs including two- and four-year colleges.
Utilize the Department-provided Monthly Education Assistance data report to identify and engage in outreach to incarcerated individuals close to release.
Document case notes and navigation services provided to students in Offender Management Network Information (OMNI), including Chronos and Scorecard regularly.
Participate in Board Navigator meetings, the Department Reentry Navigators meetings, and other trainings/meetings as assigned to facilitate sharing information, resources, and best practices to enhance the effectiveness of the navigator program.
Proctor college placement and basic skills tests as needed.
Provide staffing support to the Student Voice Council (SVC), including attending meetings and coordinating SVC into faculty and staff hiring processes.
Provide excellent customer services to students, potential students, campus partners and community partners.
Promote student success, retention, and diversity in support of the mission, vision, and strategic priorities of Grays Harbor College.