Educational Navigator, UPWARD - Prison Education Program

Under the general direction and supervision of the Dean for UPWARD – Prison Education Program, the Educational Navigator of UPWARD – Prison Education Program provides justice-involved students with information, advice, and guidance suitable to the attainment of career and technical, academic transfer, and/or employment.

This position will work with the populations at the Nebraska State Penitentiary, Community Corrections Center-Lincoln, and Reception and Treatment Center as they attain college‑readiness status, apply to programs of study based on career planning, test and register for courses, and assist throughout the academic term to provide or direct students to needed assistance for academic success. The UPWARD Educational Navigator will also connect students with holistic reentry planning and preparation to enhance post‑carceral success.

This position requires travel to all correctional facilities and SCC campuses as needed to perform the essential functions of the Educational Navigator responsibilities as deemed necessary, work with the campus administration and staff on each campus and department of corrections to enhance student success, serve as the communication link between NDCS students, staff, and campus administration, and serve as a member of the campus and college administrative units.

This is a full-time regular position based out of Lincoln, but works across correctional facilities and campuses in a 15‑county area.

• Assist current and prospective students in developing educational goals leading to career and employment choices based on reentry‑friendly careers, individual abilities, interests, and personality characteristics.
• Administer, score, and interpret career guidance and other assessment interests; provide occupational and educational information to enable individuals to formulate career decisions.

• Collaborate with assessment and testing services to provide advising services to current and prospective students who have completed college placement testing.
• Assist in off‑site test administration and test score interpretation with prospective students.
• Assist in the interpretation and implications of test scores as they relate to the admissions and registration processes.
• Follow up on student referrals from the assessment and testing center to interpret placement scores and advise students on course placement, career development, program admission, and appropriate testing resources.

• Provide presentations, workshops, and individual group meetings to current and prospective students regarding educational opportunities.
• Collect and analyze information about individuals through records, tests, interviews, and other professional sources to appraise interests and abilities, and personality characteristics to aid students in making and carrying out career, technical, and educational objectives.
• Assist with general registration activities. Routinely assist students with course registration and advising.
• Provide the students with information regarding college admissions and specific program requirements, deadlines, and information.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for students regarding the admissions process and transitioning to college.
• Work with interested students to identify basic skills and/or developmental learning needs, assist with the selection of a program of study aligned with career planning, recommend course enrollment, encourage scholarship applications and/or third‑party support, and lead justice‑involved students towards an overall plan…