Program Coordinator, PAWS

The New York City Department of Correction (DOC) is an integral part of the City’s evolving criminal justice system, participating in reform initiatives and strategies aimed to move the City towards a smaller jail system without compromising public safety. The DOC is responsible for maintaining a safe and secure environment for our employees, visitors, volunteers and people in our custody. Importantly, safe jails enable DOC to provide people in custody with the tools and opportunities they need to successfully re-enter their communities. The DOC operates facilities and court commands across the five boroughs with more than 9,000 diverse professionals and knowledgeable experts.

The NYC DOC has a unique opportunity for a Program Coordinator within the Division of Programs and Community Partnerships to coordinate a specialized canine program for individuals assigned to our care. Under the direction of one of the Assistant Commissioners assigned to the Division of Programs and Community Partnerships, the selected candidate will focus on the coordination and administration of a program that will provide individuals in custody with experience and instruction in the care and training of rescued dogs with the goals of increasing the dogs’ adoptability, while instilling a sense of pride and responsibility in the individuals, who will acquire new skills to obtain employment upon release. The Program Coordinator will be responsible for the overall canine training, pathways to employment in animal care and related professions, coordination of fosters and adoptions, maintaining a partnership with rescue and shelter organizations. The duties of this position will include but not be limited to:

• Develop strategies and long-term goals related to the implementation and expansion of the canine program for individuals in custody.
• Develop, implement, coordinate, and monitor various types of canine programs for individuals in DOC custody.
• Facilitate basic animal behavior modification, training, and animal care skills to program participants on the participating housing units.
• Actively recruit, engage, and sustain partnerships with community organizations, volunteers, and other entities for the purpose of program sustainability and expansion.
• Conduct a full range of activities related to capacity building such as uniform staff training, curriculum development, animal selection and care, temperament screening protocols and participant recruitment.
• Research grant funding opportunities, meeting with foundations and potential funders, preparing, developing, and submitting grant proposals.
• Comply with grant reporting and tracking requirements as required by foundations, donors, and other entities.
• Maintain data and files on programming efforts and individual participation.
• Assist with quality assurance and monitoring of program to ensure compliance with newly developed standards.
• Formulate audit protocols, preparing for and performing audits, compiling data, and preparing reports to summarize findings.
• Develop recommendations to maximize program participation.
• Design and implement outcomes and metrics and conduct program evaluation to determine attainment of goals and provide recommendations for continued program improvement/modification.
• Serve as liaison with internal and external entities to ensure effective program operations.
• Prepare report and presentation materials for briefings with internal and external stakeholders.
• Participate in therapeutic pet visits to specialized housing units, including but not limited to mental observation units.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and two years of experience in community work or community centered activities in an area related to the duties described above; or
2. High school graduation or equivalent and six years of experience in community work or community centered activities in an area related to the duties as described above; or
3. Education and/or experience which is equivalent to “1” or “2” above. However, all candidates must have at least one year of experience as described in “1” above.