Community Navigator

Illinois Prison Project (IPP) is a nonprofit organization in Chicago that seeks to reduce mass incarceration by providing legal services to individuals incarcerated in the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC). IPP focuses on novel and creative approaches to prison reduction and engages in public education, advocacy and direct legal representation. IPP’s mechanisms for release include clemency, parole, youth parole, medical release, resentencing, administrative relief and post-conviction filings.

Through its education work, IPP spreads awareness to community members, policy makers, and other stakeholders about the injustices wrought by the criminal legal system and mass incarceration. The Education Team also disseminates legal information to communities impacted by incarceration through our Community Navigator Network. IPP is hiring a Community Navigator who will co-oversee the Community Navigator Network and contribute to the mission of IPP’s Education Team. People with direct carceral experience are highly encouraged to apply.

IPP requires all team members to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Proof of vaccination will be required. Candidates must be available to begin full-time work no later than September 15, 2025.

Responsibilities:

• Generate and maintain educational resources assisting people in navigating systems surrounding clemency, medical release, resentencing, sentencing credit, reentry, facility transfers, grievance processes, and other areas of incarceration in Illinois
• Generate and deliver presentations to educate the community about the realities of mass incarceration, perpetual punishment, and criminal legal reform in Illinois
• Participate as an expert speaker in educational events, community gatherings, and IPP fundraisers as needed
• Oversee the Community Navigator Network, including training new navigators, conducting initial assessments with community members in need of support, corresponding with incarcerated navigators, and administering resource distribution via US mail
• Operate the IPP phone line, which includes fielding calls from people who are incarcerated
• Respond to resource requests via phone, email, and website inquiry

Desired Qualifications:

• Excellent communication skills, particularly with communities impacted by the trauma of incarceration with an emphasis on harm reduction and restorative justice perspectives. Being a certified Circle Facilitator is strongly preferred, but not a requirement.
• A strong familiarity with IDOC systems, including some or all of the following topics: sentencing credit, electronic detention, medical release, commutation, first thirty days after release
• Direct experience with advocating within the inner workings of the Illinois Department of Corrections
• Extensive knowledge of the legal, political, and historical landscape that has contributed to mass incarceration and perpetual punishment in Illinois
• A familiarity with pro-se legal advocacy and experience with organizing communities directly impacted by incarceration
• Five years of experience in a field related to the criminal legal system, including direct experience advocating in a prison setting (this can be formal advocacy work like working in a law library or informal work like filing petitions on behalf of a loved one)
• Basic proficiency with Google Suite (including Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Drive, Google Docs, and Google Sheets), Zoom, Telzio, Slack, and Filevine (or another legal case management system)
• The ability to reach prison facilities throughout the state (i.e., driver’s license and ability to travel for long day trips as needed). Pre-approval to volunteer within the Illinois Department of Corrections preferred, but not required.

Location: IPP maintains a hybrid work environment, including working remotely and out of IPP’s office at 53 West Jackson Blvd in Chicago, Illinois. This position will have travel requirements and in-person requirements throughout Illinois.

Reports To: Assistant Director of Education

Compensation: We offer a competitive salary and benefits package.

• This is a full-time position with a starting salary of $60,000, and planned quarterly bonuses making the total salary equivalent to $68,315-$88,808 in accordance with IPP’s payscale which is based on experience. Full benefits include generous vacation leave, sick leave, and 401k along with health, dental, vision, long-term disability, short-term disability, and life insurance.

Illinois Prison Project is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates without regard to race, color, religion or belief, sex, pregnancy, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, military and veteran status, criminal record, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Illinois Prison Project believes that diversity and inclusion among our teammates is critical to our success as an organization, and we seek to recruit, develop, and retrain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool.

How to Apply:

• Please send 1) a resume, 2) a cover letter, 3) an advocacy-related work sample (video clip, written publication, or podcast that demonstrates your approach to this work), and 4) the names and contact information (phone number and/or email address) of three individuals who can speak to your character and work ethic, specifically around your advocacy and/or knowledge of prison reform (such as a former supervisor, a colleague, a caseworker, a spiritual advisor, or anyone else who can thoughtfully reflect on how you engage and carry yourself in shared spaces) to hiring@illinoisprisonproject.org with “Community Navigator” in the subject line.
• Applications are due August 17, 2025 though applicants will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
• Due to the large volume of applicants, we cannot guarantee that we’ll be able to reply to individual emails about an applicant’s status. No phone calls, please.