Prison Education Initiative Program Coordinator
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Academic Services and Student Experience
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Opening at: Mar 15 2026 - 11:00pm CDT
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Closing at: Mar 29 2026 - 11:00pm CDT
Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process.
Job Category:
Academic Staff
Employment Type:
Terminal (Fixed Term)
Job Profile:
Academic Program Specialist
Job Summary:
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is a public, land-grant institution that exemplifies the "Wisconsin Idea" that the resources of the university should benefit all the citizens of the state. The Division of Continuing Studies (DCS) provides and supports high-quality continuing education, outreach, service and scholarship related to personal enrichment and professional development. The Prison Education Initiative (PEI) is housed within DCS and supports UWs statewide in delivering degree and other college programs to students incarcerated in Wisconsin state prisons.
This position will work independently under the supervision of the Prison Education Initiative Operations Director. This position will also work closely with other PEI and Odyssey Beyond Bars (OBB) staff. This position is responsible for many decisions involved in daily programming operations, and has delegated authority to speak/act on behalf of program staff.
This position involves project management, workflow development, and broader academic operations. This includes leading and improving implementation of many systems, including transcript intake, student admissions and enrollment, program transfer coordination, security clearances for our team and instructors, and planning for major events. This position will also be responsible for key operational workflows such as data entry, textbook and supply ordering, supply distribution, and more. This position will also lead tutoring in person at one site, including recruitment and training of new tutors, as well as virtual tutoring at other sites.
This position will cooperate with many campus units at UW-Madison, UW-Green Bay, UW-Eau Claire, UW-Stout, and other UWs, as well as with a wide range of external partners.
This position may require some work to be performed in-person, onsite, at a designated campus work location. Some work may be performed remotely, at an offsite, non-campus work location. Specifically, it will require work inside Oakhill Correctional two partial days a week. The remainder of the time may be from home, or attending meetings at UW campuses as needed.
This position is a two year, fixed-term terminal position. Options to convert this position to renewable are dependent on continuation of funding and program support. Final appointment is subject to the approval of DOC to regularly enter the facility and perform work.
Key Job Responsibilities:
Utilizes independent judgement regarding development, implementation, promotion, and evaluation for one or more academic programs, initiatives, or events: 15%
Identifies program, needs, contributes to the development of unit workflows, schedules logistics and secures resources for meetings, events, and interviews: 30%
Department:
Continuing Studies, Adult Career and Special Student Services
Compensation:
Minimum $50,000 ANNUAL, Depending on Qualifiications
Required Qualifications:
- Excellent problem solving and independent decision-making skills
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Adaptable interpersonal skills
- At least one year of full time experience providing administrative support and working directly with students in a higher education in prison program
- At least two years experience using Salesforce in day-to-day work and training others on the use of Salesforce
- Experience doing purchasing and reconciling using Workday
- Event planning experience, including coordinating large events following UW purchasing guidelines
- Experience working for or closely with Wisconsin Department of Corrections (DOC)
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience working with various communities and adult learners
Education:
Bachelor’s Degree required
How to Apply:
To apply for this position, please click on the "Apply Now" button. You will be asked to upload a resume, cover letter, and list of three professional/supervisor references as a part of the application process. References will not be contacted without prior notice. Please ensure your resume and cover letter address how you meet the minimum/preferred qualifications for the position.
Contact Information:
Zachary Yafai, HR Business Partner
zyafai@wisc.edu
Institutional Statement on Diversity:
Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgrounds and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, visit the Human Resources Workplace Poster website.
To request a disability or pregnancy-related accommodation for any step in the hiring process (e.g., application, interview, pre-employment testing, etc.), please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR) in the division you are applying to. Please make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you.
Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including sexual violence and sexual harassment.
The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).
The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department.