Application Guide

How to Apply for Technical Assistance Coordinator

at Alliance for Higher Education in Prison

🏢 About Alliance for Higher Education in Prison

The Alliance for Higher Education in Prison is a national convener and resource hub dedicated to expanding access to quality higher education for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals. It uniquely centers the leadership of system-impacted people, making it a mission-driven organization where your work directly contributes to social justice and educational equity.

About This Role

As the Technical Assistance Coordinator, you will lead the Alliance's $10.3M, five-year TA partnership with AIR, managing a portfolio that spans universal, targeted, and specific technical assistance. This role is impactful because it shapes the support infrastructure for the entire HEP field, ensuring programs and practitioners have the resources and guidance they need to thrive.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve coordinating with AIR partners on project milestones, facilitating virtual meetings with TA providers and HEP programs, and developing resources or toolkits for the field. You might also spend time analyzing program needs, preparing reports for funders, and responding to emails from stakeholders seeking guidance.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Alliance for Higher Education in Prison Is Looking For

  • Experienced in project management, with a track record of coordinating complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives and meeting deliverables on time and within budget.
  • Knowledgeable about higher education in prison or related fields (e.g., criminal justice reform, reentry, educational equity), with an understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities in this space.
  • Skilled in relationship-building and communication, able to work effectively with diverse stakeholders including practitioners, researchers, policymakers, and system-impacted individuals.
  • Strategic thinker who can design and implement TA across different scales, from creating shared resources to providing customized support.

📝 Tips for Applying to Alliance for Higher Education in Prison

1

Highlight any direct experience with technical assistance, curriculum development, or resource creation, and quantify your impact (e.g., number of programs supported, resources developed).

2

Demonstrate your understanding of the HEP landscape by referencing specific challenges or recent developments in the field, such as the restoration of Pell Grants for incarcerated students.

3

Showcase your ability to work remotely and independently, with examples of managing projects across time zones and using virtual collaboration tools.

4

Emphasize your commitment to centering system-impacted voices, perhaps by mentioning any involvement with formerly incarcerated communities or advocacy groups.

5

Tailor your resume and cover letter to the Alliance's mission, using language from their website and job description to show alignment.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your passion for educational equity and the mission of the Alliance, and how your personal or professional experiences have prepared you to contribute.', 'Your project management expertise, especially in coordinating complex partnerships or grants, and your ability to manage multiple priorities.', 'Your understanding of technical assistance as a tool for field-building, and your ideas for how you might approach universal, targeted, and specific TA.', 'Your collaborative skills and experience working with diverse stakeholders, including those who are system-impacted.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Visit the Alliance's website and read their latest reports, resources, and news to understand their current priorities and initiatives.
  • → Learn about the American Institutes for Research (AIR) and their work in education and criminal justice to understand the partnership context.
  • → Research the funding source, Ascendium Education Group, and their focus areas to align your application with their goals.
  • → Familiarize yourself with the broader HEP field, including key organizations, recent legislation (e.g., Pell restoration), and best practices.
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you approach developing a TA plan that serves the entire HEP field while also meeting the specific needs of individual programs?
2 Describe a time you managed a complex project with multiple partners. How did you ensure alignment and communication?
3 What do you see as the biggest challenges facing higher education in prison today, and how might technical assistance address them?
4 How do you incorporate feedback from system-impacted individuals into your work? Give an example.
5 How would you prioritize tasks when faced with competing deadlines from different stakeholders?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic cover letter that doesn't mention the Alliance or the specific role, showing lack of interest.
  • Focusing solely on your desire to help incarcerated individuals without demonstrating the project management and strategic skills required.
  • Failing to address how you would handle the remote, independent nature of the role, or not having examples of self-driven work.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Alliance for Higher Education in Prison!

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