Prison Program Facilitator

Job description: Prison Program Facilitator
Position Available: Avenal
($20/hr, Part-time Hourly, Non-Exempt)

About Our Work:
Defy’s entrepreneurial programs enable one of America’s largest forgotten communities to defy the odds. We equip our Entrepreneurs in Training (EITs) with new skills, new connections, and a new belief to match their new purpose, and succeed in their new life of economic independence. Defy works to address layers of racial injustice through our commitment to changing perceptions, breaking cycles of recidivism, and helping people to create equity in historically marginalized communities. Because we know that employment is key in preventing recidivism, Defy engages the business community through employer partnerships and by offering fair chance hiring workshops to educate companies about the importance and benefits of giving formerly incarcerated individuals a fair chance at a job. Our volunteer events also serve to shift volunteers’ hearts and minds about people with criminal histories, so that we can recruit more agents of change in our mission. To achieve greater economic inclusion and lower recidivism and incarceration rates, Defy aims to increase the number of fair chance employers, investors, and formerly incarcerated people who are ready for careers or to launch a small business.

Come and Defy the Odds with us!

CEO Your New Life (CEO YNL) In-Prison Program
Embracing the challenges to come, our CEO of Your New Life (CEO YNL) in-prison program turns anxiety into real belief. This holistic and confidence-building curriculum prepares Entrepreneurs In Training (EITs) to rewrite their future with comprehensive employment-readiness, healthy habits, and entrepreneurship training during their incarceration. Our cohorts are six to nine months long and class meets 2-3 times per week. Built into our curriculum, Defy has partnered with a diverse network of leaders within the business sector to volunteer at our prison business coaching events and offer one-on-one guidance and support. As part of our class, EITs will have a developed an understanding of the entrepreneurial journey culminating in a business pitch competition and “certificate of entrepreneurship” from Drucker School of Management, Claremont Graduate University.

About Our Position
Our part-time Prison Program Facilitator position is ideal for someone with an entrepreneurial, teaching, coaching and/or social service background who is comfortable and available to:

1) Work with diverse, incarcerated populations
2) Travel to prisons and facilitate classes inside
3) You know how to build and maintain healthy boundaries.
4) Work part-time (2-3 evenings/weekend days per week), typically 2–3-hour class periods plus administrative support for a total of 5-15 hours per week (average 8 – 10 hours per week)

Individuals with lived experience are encouraged to apply

Responsibilities

• Act as the primary facilitator-coach of Defy Ventures CEO YNL curriculum 2 to 3 times per week, during evenings and/or weekends at either one of the following prisons: Avenal
• Lead inclusive spaces for collaborative cohort learning with groups of currently incarcerated adults, including working with graduates of the program serving as peer facilitators
• Prep for weekly classes and ensure all necessary materials are accounted for
• Help answer participants questions about the program
• Ensure return packs and deliverables are completed at each class session
• Communicate weekly with supervisor regarding class progression
• Send weekly class roster and provide brief explanation for any attrition (e.g., disciplinary, transfer, dropout, release)
• Assist with visit and event preparation (e.g., event needs, volunteer clearances, supplies, etc.)
• Work with prison staff to ensure participants receive the appropriate permission to attend all program functions
• Attend and support approximately three volunteer events over the course of each 6–8-month class session
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements

• Available to work part-time (2-3 evenings/weekend days per week), typically 2–3-hour class periods plus administrative support for a total of 5-15 hours per week (average 8 – 10 hours per week).
• Strong interpersonal and communications skills, with the ability to intelligently and credibly articulate Defy’s story and mission
• Teaching or group facilitation experience is a plus
• Collaborative team player with a "can do" attitude; willing to roll up sleeves and do whatever it takes to support Defy priorities
• Strong presentation and facilitation skills
• A willingness to learn and deepen your facilitation practice and open to feedback
• Excellent judgment and ability to maintain a professional demeanor and positive attitude, even in ambiguous situations and during high-pressure periods
• Ability to receive necessary clearances from (name of prison) to enter the prison facility
• Must show proof of Covid-19 vaccination at least 48 hours prior to start
• Reliable transportation and valid driver’s license
• Individuals with lived experience are encouraged to apply

Who You Are
You are organized, skilled at building relationships, and an excellent facilitator. You are comfortable working with populations who’ve experienced trauma, mental illness, homelessness and/or substance dependency. You’ve led groups or taught classes related to business, personal development, leadership or career readiness and are comfortable creating an inclusive environment and a safe space for sharing.
You are adept at keeping discussions constructive and positive, even in challenging situations. You have experience or believe you would be comfortable working with incarcerated individuals and with prison staff to keep Defy’s entrepreneurship, personal development, and career readiness program on track. At Defy, your task is to ensure that our in-prison program is executed successfully. You know how to build and maintain healthy boundaries.

Compensation
Hourly Rate of $20/hour

About Defy Ventures
Defy Ventures’ mission is to change mindsets to give people with criminal histories their best shot at second chance. We are working to cut the recidivism rate in half by leveraging entrepreneurship as a tool to increase economic opportunity and inspire personal transformation. Defy’s prison and post-release programs provides entrepreneurship, employment, and personal development training to support formerly and currently incarcerated people to successfully reenter society by obtaining meaningful employment and, when ready, to start a small business. Entrepreneurs-in-Training (EITs) “defy the odds” through our program which includes intensive leadership development, Shark Tank-style business pitch competitions, and executive mentoring. We seek to build a redemptive, authentic community between EITs and our volunteer community. For more information on Defy Ventures, please visit defyventures.org.

Defy Ventures is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

How to Apply

Please upload your application (thoughtful cover letter and resume) via our posting

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $20.00 per hour

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $20.00 per hour

Schedule:

• 4 hour shift
• Evening shift

COVID-19 considerations:
Candidate needs to be fully vaccinated

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Avenal, CA 93204: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Application Question(s):

• Are you fully vaccinated?

Experience:

• teaching or facilitation: 1 year (Required)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)

Work Location: One location