Manager, Los Angeles Prison Programs

You are organized, skilled at building relationships, and an excellent facilitator. You are comfortable working with incarcerated populations. You’ve led groups and are able to 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 programs in and around Los Angeles County are executed successfully both through managing program facilitators and facilitating select programs yourself.

You will be entrusted with your own share of responsibility and will work independently. You will supervise up to several part-time facilitator staff members. 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 Defy Ventures’ Los Angeles (Koreatown) office. Work from home is permitted up to three days per week and work will also be performed on site at two prison facilities (one in DTLA and one in Lancaster, CA).

Responsibilities

General Management and Facilitation Duties

• Responsible for overall implementation of Defy’s career and entrepreneurship skill-building program in prisons and transitional facilities in and around Los Angeles County
• Facilitate Defy Ventures’ CEO of Your New Life curriculum in a state prison in Lancaster, CA, and a transitional facility in DTLA.
• Visit each facility regularly (approximately monthly) to observe instruction and interface with facility staff and participants
• Track data and process materials into database systems
• Provide all necessary feedback and updates on program implementation to local and national program leadership
• Observe and support program facilitators
• Attend trainings and program-focused meetings with the national program team to achieve program quality
• Build and maintain relationships with correction officials and staff; serve as a liaison between correctional officials and Defy team members
• Troubleshoot issues/areas of concerns
• Coordinate with post-release program team to build connectivity between prison and post-release programming
• Supervise up to 3-5 remote part-time staff
• Support program development in coordination with local and national program teams
• Work with correctional officials and Defy staff to execute, facilitate, and host in-custody events such as, but not limited to: program Kickoffs, Business Coaching Days and Business Pitch Competitions & Graduations
• Ensure all necessary paperwork and approvals are completed with correctional officials before events
• Support prison event execution
• Hours may include evenings (a typical facilitation schedules might be evenings 2x weekly) and weekends (occasional events)
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements

• Strong interpersonal and communications skills, with the ability to credibly articulate Defy’s story and mission
• Management experience is a plus
• Detail oriented and organized—able to handle multiple high-level priority projects at once
• Program or project management experience
• Education and strong facilitation experience or a Bachelor’s in Social Work, MSW, or other related degrees is a plus.
• Collaborative team player with a "can do" attitude; willing to roll up sleeves and do whatever it takes to support team priorities
• Strong presentation and facilitation skills
• Excellent judgment and ability to maintain effectiveness, professional demeanor, and positive attitude, even in ambiguous situations and during high-pressure periods
• Aggressive self-starter, able to handle high pressure situations and come prepared to all meetings/events
• Ability to navigate a fast-paced, ever-changing environment
• 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 Los Angeles County)
• Must be able to receive clearance from prison partner facilities
• Able to lift 15 pounds
• Lived experience is a plus