Manager, Inland Empire Programs

You are organized, skilled at building relationships, and an excellent facilitator. You are comfortable working with incarcerated populations. You’ve led groups and can create an inclusive environment and a safe space for sharing, while maintaining professional boundaries. You are adept at keeping discussions constructive and positive, even in challenging situations. You are encouraging and can “roll with resistance.” You are comfortable building relationships with prison system staff and leadership to keep Defy’s program on track. You will ensure that our prison and post-release programs in the Inland Empire are executed successfully both through facilitating Defy’s program in prison and serving as the point of contact for Defy participants, whom we call “Entrepreneurs in Training” or “EITs”, when they come home.

You will be entrusted with your own share of responsibility and will work independently. You will have the support of teammates who look out for you and want you to succeed. This opportunity is ideal for someone with an educational and/or social service background who is comfortable working with diverse populations. This is a full-time hybrid-based position in the Inland Empire. Work from home is permitted during the week when it is not being performed on site. On-site work will occur at one to two prison facilities in Chino. This position will also require work in the field (e.g. meeting EITs to provide case management resources, traveling to develop relationships with resource providers, etc.).

Responsibilities

• Responsible for overall implementation of Defy’s prison and reentry programs in the Inland Empire
• Facilitate Defy Ventures’ CEO of Your New Life curriculum in up to two prisons in Chino, CA
• Track data and process materials into database systems
• Provide all necessary feedback and updates on program implementation to local and national program leadership
• Build and maintain relationships with correction officials and staff
• Troubleshoot issues/areas of concerns
• Serve as the primary point of contact for Entrepreneurs in Training (EITs) who have returned home after incarceration to the Inland Empire
• Engage EITs and establish trusting, collaborative relationships in support of their reentry goals
• Provide reentry and employment coaching, barrier removal support, housing navigation, and case management to released EITs
• Coordinate with correctional officials and Defy staff to execute coaching and pitch competition events in prison, including managing required paperwork and submission deadlines
• Support prison events
• Hours may include evenings (a typical facilitation schedules might be evenings 2x weekly) and weekends (occasional events)
• Other duties as assigned

 Requirements

• Education and strong facilitation experience and/or a Bachelor’s in Social Work, MSW, or other related degrees.
• Strong presentation and facilitation skills
• Must have a reliable car and a valid driver’s license. There will be regular travel (driving) in this role throughout Southern California (concentrated in the Inland Empire)
• Must be able to receive clearance from prison partner facilities
• Able to lift 15 pounds
• Lived experience is a plus