Prison Program Coordinator

RISE Academy•Lincoln, NE

About The Position

The Prison Program Coordinator will coordinate with, teach, and facilitate RISE classes at the Nebraska Department of Corrections Facilities, serving the men and/ or women at those facilities. This opportunity is ideal for someone with an educational and/or social service background who is comfortable working with diverse populations. The Prison Program Coordinator will lead six-month cohorts from kick-off to program completion, facilitating an innovative curriculum focused on reentry planning, character development, job readiness and entrepreneurship. This position reports to the Director of the In-Prison Program. About RISE RISE is the largest nonprofit organization in Nebraska focused solely on habilitative programming in prisons and reentry support. At RISE, transformation starts pre-release and continues post-release. Our inside/out model bridges incarceration to the community and considers all the critical steps in that journey. We prepare and train people for each phase through intensive character development, employment readiness, job creation through entrepreneurship, family programming and case management. We transform people in the community by building awareness and empathy that leads to support and opportunity. These connections heal families, create employment pathways and lower recidivism. The mission of RISE is to break generational cycles of incarceration. RISE has received a “Best Places to Work in Omaha” award from Baird Holm and the Greater Omaha Chamber. RISE is a recipient of the Non-Profit Association of the Midlands Catalyst Award, honoring non-profits that inspire action, advance excellence and innovation, and drive transformation while making a meaningful impact. In 2025, RISE received the Roger Baldwin Civil Libertarian of the Year Award from the ACLU of Nebraska.

Requirements

Strong communication skills, adept at building relationships, and able to intelligently and credibly articulate RISE’s story and mission.
Full-time (40 hours per week), with flexible scheduling to meet the needs of the program, including potential weekend and evening hours.
Strong presentation and facilitation skills, capable of holding space for challenging conversations and fostering growth.
Excellent judgment and ability to maintain effectiveness, professional demeanor, and a positive attitude even in ambiguous or high-pressure situations.
Highly organized and adaptable, able to assess student needs and pivot teaching styles as necessary.
High emotional intelligence, creating an inclusive environment and a safe space for sharing.
Must be willing to work flexible hours, occasionally working evenings and weekends.
Must have access to a vehicle, possess a valid driver’s license, and proof of insurance.
RISE is a background-friendly employer and seeks to employ those who have lived experience within the system we serve; background checks may be run on final candidates as a compliance measure.

Nice To Haves

Teaching experience or a Bachelor’s in Social Work, MSW, or related degrees are a plus.
Familiarity with concepts such as ‘Motivational Interviewing’ and pro-social communication is preferred.
Collaborative with a "can-do" attitude; willing to roll up sleeves and do whatever it takes to support team priorities.

Responsibilities

Lead and facilitate class discussions, activities, and curriculum for RISE cohorts across multiple facilities, focusing on reentry planning, character development, job readiness, and entrepreneurship.
Maintain class rosters, updating and removing participants who are regularly absent or pose disciplinary problems, and document these changes in the program database.
Help answer participant questions about the program and curriculum, providing written feedback on assignments and return packs.
Assist with the preparation, logistics, and execution of program-related events, coordinating with facility staff to ensure all necessary arrangements are in place.
Ensure client confidentiality is maintained at all times.
Coordinate the needs of the program with facility staff and communicate these needs in a consistent and timely manner.
Update program databases to reflect changes in the class roster, and maintain records of homework grades and other relevant data.
Supervise cohort leadership, including Peer Facilitators and Table Leads, ensuring they are effectively leading their peers and engaging in career development in their own roles.
Facilitate or connect continuing education opportunities for program graduates who remain in the facility.
Build and maintain relationships with Nebraska Department of Corrections staff in order to support the RISE program.
Conduct one-on-one sessions with program participants, offering mentorship and personalized support as needed.
Adapt to class schedules that may be changing on an ongoing basis.
Other duties as agreed upon.