Turtle Program Coordinator 2

Sustainability in Prisons Project (SPP)

 

Position title: SPP Turtle Program Coordinator 2 – SPP Graduate Research Assistant

Employer: The Evergreen State College (Evergreen) and WA Department of Corrections (WA DOC)

Hours: 19 hrs/week, mostly during regular business hours

Duration: July 10th, 2017 to June 30, 2018; one-year extension dependent on funding

Location: Sustainability in Prisons Project office (Seminar 2 E 2119)

Pay: $15/hour; additional funding may be available for thesis work on SPP topic

Supervisor: Kelli Bush, SPP Program Manager: bushk@evergreen.edu

Close Date: Please send cover letter and resume to Kelli Bush by June 12th 2017

 

Background:

The Sustainability in Prisons Project is a partnership founded by The Evergreen State College (Evergreen) and the Washington Department of Corrections (WA Corrections). Graduate students work collaboratively with both partners and additional collaborators to coordinate programs and support SPP’s mission:

 

Our mission is to bring science, environmental education, and nature into prisons. In response to the dual crises of ecological degradation and mass incarceration, we create programs to reduce the environmental, economic, and human costs of prisons. Scientists, inmates, prison staff, students, and community partners empower each other to innovate inside and outside prison walls. Together we promote education, conserve biodiversity, support sustainable practices, and help build healthy communities.

 

Responsibilities:

This position will coordinate efforts of both founding organizations (Evergreen and WA Corrections) and other partners. Primary duties include coordinating the western pond turtle (WPT) rehabilitation programs at Larch (LCC) and Cedar Creek Corrections Centers (CCCC) and facilitating complimentary environmental education. In addition, this position supports communication and technical assistance for other SPP programs at the two facilities (LCC and CCCC) including beekeeping, aquaponics, native plant cultivation and a pilot woodpecker nest predation research program as needed. The position is also expected to contribute to general SPP goals.

 

Reporting, Accountability and Advancing SPP:

  • Provide weekly updates to supervisor and to the team every two weeks at staff meetings.
  • Actively participate in promoting the staff team and the organization as a whole, including:
    • Participating in team meetings
    • Creating and collaborating on outreach and dissemination materials
    • Identifying and acting on opportunities for inter-program support and enhancements
    • Presenting on SPP to varied audiences in multiple venues
    • Considering and contributing to proposals for new funding for SPP programs
  • Maintain good communication through regular updates with team members at each site.
  • Update task lists and keep current in a format agreeable to coordinator and supervisors.
  • Provide reports detailing accomplishments and progress as required by funding sources.
  • Reference and update program protocols

 

Technician Education and Support:

  • Lead and facilitate training and provide relevant educational materials including background research and publications for incarcerated program participants
  • Track inmate technician (technician) participation in program
    • Assist with program recruiting and participate in technician interviews with prison staff
    • Provide opportunities for technicians to use their skills and knowledge to improve the programs
    • Provide educational opportunities and materials such as workshops, research articles, seminar discussions, and in-prison training; provide off-site training as time allows and opportunities are available
    • Lead the process to track, issue, and modify program certifications as needed
    • Administer program evaluation surveys to inmates
  • Provide release packets with resources for re-entry into the community and items for their portfolios

 

    • Train technicians in facilitating and opening discussion groups and giving talks and tours
  • Provide Northwest Earth Institute reading materials monthly and sit in or participate in a discussion group every other month during weekly check-in

 

  • Support development of the monthly “Turtle Talk” newsletter at Cedar Creek Corrections Center by providing appropriate and current science news articles, editing the first draft, and sending to the SPP Liaison for final review

 

Western Pond Turtle (WPT) Program Coordination:

Duties at both Cedar Creek Corrections Center (CCCC) and Larch Corrections Center (LCC)

  • Coordinate, monitor, communicate status, and collect reports and data for the Western Pond Turtle (WPT) Recovery programs to be provided to a broad group of program partners
  • Visit CCCC ~once per week and visit LCC ~once every six weeks
  • Lead communication with WPT recovery community including weekly status updates on turtle health for the following partners: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), PAWS Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, Woodland Park Zoo, and Oregon Zoo.
  • Coordinate monthly visits for the veterinarian or WDFW biologist to check-up on the shell healing process
  • Transfer instructions, updates, and other information from biologists and/or veterinarians to the technicians and SPP Liaisons at both facilities;
  • Suggest protocol changes and assist with implementation of changes as needed
  • Provide monthly program updates and communicate field training and turtle release opportunities to prison superintendents and SPP liaisons
  • Work collaboratively with all partners to assist in identifying and solving program-related issues
  • Take photos to document lesions on turtle shells and provide updated photos to turtle recovery team at least monthly
  • Coordinate and participate in program tours and media visits
  • Write and update protocols in partnership with the WPT recovery team and technicians
  • Prepare program “fact sheets” and posters for media, visitors, conferences, and outreach
  • Assist with animal transportation and field work for WDFW as time is available
  • Identify and pursue opportunities to increase inmate participation in scientific research
  • Request infrastructure and equipment maintenance and inform prison maintenance staff of environmental requirements as needed
  • Be on call to assist with turtle healthcare emergencies and facilitate steps to provide care
  • Coordinate with other SPP staff to provide program coverage when not available
  • Identify supply and materials needs, make purchase requests, track all turtle program expenses, deliver project supplies and equipment, and oversee supply and equipment inventory
  • Monitor and ensure quality of data collection and record keeping

 

Honey Bee, Aquaponics, Plantain, and Woodpecker Nest Predation Research Programs:

Provide minimal support to these less resource intensive SPP programs

  • Check and note status of programs during regular program visits; provide all partners updates as needed
  • Communicate any concerns expressed by the SPP Liaison and/or technicians to respective program experts
    • SPP Green Track Program Coordinator (bees)
    • Aquaponics Contractor (aquaponics)
    • SPP Conservation Nursery Manager (plantain)
    • Biologist/Researcher (Woodpecker Nest Predation)
  • In coordination with regular facility visits, deliver supplies, data sheets, and/or educational resources to and from programs
  • Deliver educational programs and resources to program participants in coordination with services and materials provided to turtle technicians
  • Coordinate lectures, workshops, and training as resources allow

 

Supervision

  • Direct the work of volunteers and undergraduate interns who provide general program and research support as needed
  • Give instruction and work collaboratively with technicians and DOC SPP Liaison to provide quality care for the turtles and other animals with the guidance of the protocol

 

Opportunities:

    • Work in a collaborative, engaged community of incarcerated individuals , corrections professionals, scientists, researchers, faculty, staff, and students
    • Provide valuable contributions to SPP programs
    • Assist in offering environmental education
    • Present the project at conferences, publish articles, and actively share knowledge with other groups about engaging the incarcerated community in conservation and education.
  • Provide valuable contributions to SPP programs and contribute to the establishment of the SPP Network

 

 

Required Qualifications

  • Currently enrolled in an Evergreen graduate program
  • Available to work 19 hours a week, mainly during office hours Monday-Friday (some hours may be flexible)
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Willingness and ability to follow directions, collaborate on projects, and give and hear feedback
  • Current driver’s license and available and reliable vehicle for trips to prisons in western Washington (mileage will be reimbursed)
  • Willingness and ability to work safely in a correctional setting and to communicate and collaborate with Corrections staff and supervisors to address concerns and respond to inmate requests

 

Desired Qualifications

  • Knowledge and/or experience in the field of conservation biology, zoology, veterinary science, animal behavior, wildlife rehabilitation, teaching and/or herpetology
  • Experience caring for animals, particularly reptiles
  • Experience in public speaking