Associate Program Director, Criminal Justice Program

The American Friends Service Committee is a Quaker religious organization that promotes lasting peace with justice, as a practical expression of faith in action. Drawing on continuing spiritual insights and working with people of many backgrounds, we nurture the seeds of change and respect for human life that transform social relations and systems.

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POSITION DESCRIPTION

TITLE: Associate Program Director, Criminal Justice Program

JOB CATEGORY: Exempt (Salary)

STATUS: Full-Time

TYPE OF EMPLOYMENT: Regular

DIRECT SUPERVISOR: Program Director, Ann Arbor Criminal Justice

REGION/UNIT: US/Midwest

LOCATION: Ypsilanti, MI, USA In office three days per week with the option to work remotely one to two days per week.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: April 7, 2026.

For consideration, please attach your Cover Letter and Resume to the online application in addition to answering the Application Questions.

GENERAL SUMMARY OF POSITION

The Associate Program Director of AFSC's Michigan Criminal Justice Program works in direct partnership with the Program Director to support and guide Program Staff, Volunteers, Inside Connectors and Participants in fulfilling the Mission of our program: Accompanying women serving long sentences in Michigan through incarceration to liberation.

This Mission is met by creating, supporting and engaging networks of interpersonal relationship through the three (3) main tenants of our program work: The Good Neighbor Project (TGN), Moms Empowering Moms (MEMs), and Welcome Home Good Neighbor Freedom Hub (WHGN).

The Associate Program Director will be responsible for leading, guiding and participating in the exchange of educational dialogue with currently and formerly incarcerated people to formulate an informed written analysis and participatory action plan for all Transformative Justice Campaign Initiatives drafted, supported and promoted by our work. As our work at the MCJP of the AFSC is directly connected to the only women's prison in the state of Michigan it will be imperative for the Associate Program Director to have the skill set to incorporate a feminist framework into the development of strategic narrative change and diligently advocate for the inclusion of said framework when working across gendered barriers within coalition movement work.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS / RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

Organizing and Outreach

• With program associate, recruit and train dedicated Good Neighbor Volunteers.
• Provide leadership in various stakeholder circles when needed.
• Provide advocacy help & resources, including the formation of freedom strategies, plans and applications, for and with women serving long sentences in Michigan.
• Help lead coalitions and mobilize people to challenge the use of punishment-based systems in MI, particularly the use of long punishment on women and their loved ones.
• Provide and/or supervise direct advocacy for women involved in our program work when needed.
• Stay informed and connected to larger prison related issues in Michigan.
• Support the program associate in liaising with the WHV national Lifers of America (NLA).
• Support policy and cultural campaigns.
• Occasionally work on volunteer committees as well as with other AFSC regional and national criminal justice colleagues.
• Build relationships with policy stakeholders in various power positions throughout the state in order to influence policy and shift narratives on punishment in MI.
• Develop and provide workshops and political education opportunities inside Michigan prisons and/or in the community.

Supervising Staff, Volunteers, and Interns

• Direct supervision of program associate.
• Direct supervision of grant funded organizers.
• In coordination with consultant, develop training and mentorship for staff and volunteers according to various learning styles.
• In Coordination with program director and consultant, supervise, coordinate, train, and provide ongoing support and mentorship to all volunteers (inside and outside of prison).
• This position will be asked to take on Program Director duties when needed.
• Co-Supervise all aspects of the work, including:
• Good Neighbor work / Welcome Home good Neighbor work (co-mentor and relationship based models for all our work)
• Parole navigation, commutation applications and other avenues towards freedom.
• Moms Empowering Moms.
• Partnerships and opportunity development for long service women returning to the community.
• NLA liaison.

Communications

• Adhere to all AFSC policies and procedures.
• Respond directly to women who we support via telephone, email, in writing or other creative ways upon recommendation of the team.
• When needed, speak on the viewpoints of AFSC at Quaker meetings and gatherings, colleges, religious and political organizations.
• Represent AFSC in coalitions and collaborations.
• Help raise the profile of AFSC's Michigan Criminal Justice Program by engaging in social media strategies and collaborative messaging work with other program staff, volunteers, and women participating in our program work.
• Commitment to values centered work with kindness, patience, compassion and understanding. Reflect graceful accountability when mistakes are made. Lead efforts for peaceful mediation of conflict and an overall commitment to the long-term, humble amends and harm reduction to bridge and relationship building.
• Ensure responsibility in maintaining healthy relationships with our allies.

Collaboration with Supervisor

• Assist the program director with research and writing projects related to trends and patterns in the criminal legal and punishment system in MI, which have been identified through direct communications with women in prison, loved ones of people in prisons, academic and grassroots experts, and review of data and research.
• Assist program director in creating, implementing and evaluating office culture policies and practices that promote effective teamwork and self-care.
• Support Fundraising efforts, through meeting attendance, grants, individual donations, and grassroots fundraising.
• Assist program director in representing AFSC at appropriate coalition, collaborative and other network meetings and events.

Other

• Regular attendance and punctuality are required.
• Operates safely in all conditions and follows policies and procedures.
• Other duties and projects as assigned.

SUPERVISORY / MANAGEMENT REQUIREMENTS

Directly or indirectly supervises employees. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include training and engaging employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

• High school, GED or equivalent experience required. Bachelor's degree in related field preferred.
• Minimum four years' experience in in advocacy, organizing, and/or working for social and/or transformative justice and change work required. Additional two years' experience with individuals impacted by the criminal legal and punishment system preferred. Each year of completed degree in a related field can be considered as experience.
• A deep and demonstrable understanding of intersectional justice that is rooted in working for racial, gender, LGBTQIA+ justice and disability rights and economic justice
• Demonstrated ability to be an effective and compassionate advocate on behalf of people in prison and their loved ones.
• Experience working with community-based, social justice program work.
• Ability to work evenings and/or weekends and to travel, as
• Ability to work effectively independently and within a team environment.
• Experience with standard Microsoft Office and related technology.
• Must be capable of working under tight time constraints in a high-volume environment with multiple priorities.
• Understanding of and commitment to the principles, concerns, and considerations, of AFSC in regard to issues of race, class, nationality, religion, age, gender and sexual orientation, and disabilities. Demonstrated ability to work and communicate with diverse staff.
• Commitment to Quaker values and testimonies. Understanding of and compatibility with the principles and philosophy of the American Friends Service Committee including non-violence and the belief in the intrinsic worth of every individual.
• Respect for and sensitivity to cultural, ethnic, racial, gender and religious diversity and familiarity with non-violent approaches to problem solving.
• Ability to organize, plan ahead and prioritize multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Understanding of and commitment to the principles, concerns, and considerations of AFSC in regard to issues of race, class, nationality, religion, age, gender and sexual orientation, and disabilities.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

COMPENSATION

The AFSC offers a competitive Total Rewards package. This position is Salary Family: Program Job Code Associate Program Director. Minimum Starting Salary $60,000. Comprehensive medical and hospitalization plan; term life, STD & LTD, defined benefit pension plan, 403b match, plus other benefits including vacation, PTO, sabbaticals, extended leaves, holidays, participation in unemployment and worker's compensation and social security.

The American Friends Service Committee is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values diversity within our organization. Qualified persons are encouraged to apply regardless of their religious affiliation, race, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation or disability.

AFSC's Central Office and some of its offices in the U.S. are unionized workplaces. This position is represented.

AFSC maintains a deep commitment to a mandate of care for our staff and communities. The American Friends Service Committee is a smoke-free workplace.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Position duties and expectations change over time. This job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive, exclusive or exhaustive list of the job functions that an employee in this position may be asked to perform from time to time. The employee may perform other related duties as assigned to meet the ongoing needs of the organization. If there is ever a time that you are unsure what is expected of you, you are expected to meet with your manager and ask questions. If you are unsure how to perform a certain task, ask your manager before performing.