The Education Preparedness Program (EPP) is an initiative through the Center for Urban Research, Teaching and Outreach (CURTO) housed in the College of Arts and Sciences, that provides high impact educational opportunities to Marquette undergraduate students and individuals who are directly impacted by incarceration, as well as wrap-around academic support to impacted students enrolled in the EPP. We are now one year into the program and we have successfully launched seven EPP courses and supported an inaugural class of thirty-seven EPP students. Our program is expanding to support ten EPP courses in AY 2022-2023, which will be taught on campus and inside two correctional facilities.

To support our program expansion the EPP seeks a part-time peer support associate to offer direct student support. This position walks in tandem with the legal system impacted students, societal stakeholders, and Marquette University staff who comprise the Education Preparedness Program (EPP). Many of our EPP students have experienced significant trauma and need specialized attention to address their unique needs. A Certified Peer Support Associate can assist students in navigating the hurdles incumbent with starting educational aspirations in a higher education context.

1. Model effective coping skills and self-help strategies based on experiential knowledge.

2. Selectively share personal information regarding lived experience with participants, providing hope and help in addressing behaviors, circumstances, and patterns.

3. Communicate and advocate to and with supervisors and other staff about the needs, skills, and goals of peers.

4. Promote wellness, independence, self-direction, and self-autonomy in decision making.

5. Provide support to individuals in crisis, or individuals needing social interventions.

6. Support and direct participants in advocating for themselves to obtain effective resources, opportunities, and services.

7. Foster a sense of belonging, supportive relationships, and community within the participant cohort.

8. Direct and encourage participants toward learning and practicing new interpersonal skills.

9. Encourage participants to participate in social, recreational, and other therapeutic activities that enhance interpersonal skills and develop social relationships, including the development of work skills.

10. Work with the EPP leadership team to develop best practices to address the needs of program participants.

11. Seek out and participate in community activities to provide resources for program participants.

12. Perform other duties and responsibilities as required, assigned, or requested.

Working toward GED is required and high school diploma a plus.

Microsoft suite certification through office technology.

Certification as a trainer or facilitator.

Community organizational skills targeting marginalized demographics.

2 years minimum working with legal system impacted persons.

National organizational recognition regarding leadership training.

Extremely Patient.

Strong sense of empathy.

Pragmatically optimistic.

Strong work ethic.

Highly motivated.

Maintain confidentiality.

Treat all participants with dignity, courtesy, and respect.

Familiarity or enrollment in secondary education.

Familiarity with licensing or certification through municipalities.

Community organizational skills targeting marginalized demographics.

Valid driver's license and ability to travel.

Interact with community stakeholders and key leaders.

Ability to build relationships to provide resources and opportunities for clients.

Ability to recruit and retain legal system impacted persons.

Paralegal diploma preferred.

2 years minimum working in the nonprofit sector preferred.

Department of Correction training or certification as trauma informed facilitator.

Legal system impacted through incarceration preferred.

Strong communication skills with multiple demographics.

Strong skills in recruiting and training.

Leadership and organizational skills.

Ability to conduct research to determine best practices and problem solving.

All applications for this position must be received through Marquette University's electronic recruiting system. Please attach a cover letter and resume, as well as the names and contact information for two references. Any certification documentation may also be attached as other document.

It is the policy of Marquette University to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other applicable federal or state-protected classification.