Jobs at The Last Mile
We are training incarcerated individuals to become professional web developers. We work inside prisons. Our students are denied access to the Internet. While working inside prison has its obstacles, the drive and determination with which our students tackle their own challenges inspires us to do our best.
The Last Mile, a non-profit based in San Francisco, is the first prison program in the US to provide in-prison software engineering training. The goal is to prepare students for employment as front-end developers and web designers post-release. Students learn HTML, CSS, Javascript, Python and more all without internet access.
Curriculum Developer
Business Development Manager
Job Title : Curriculum Developer
Work Location: San Francisco
Reports to: Director of Education
Annual Salary: Commensurate, based on experience
The Last Mile, a non-profit based in San Francisco, is the first prison program in the US to provide in-prison software engineering training. We believe that having a job is key to successful reentry and breaking the cycle of incarceration, and our goal is to prepare students for employment as front-end developers and web designers post-release. Through in-prison software engineering training and continued education and mentorship post-release, The Last Mile bridges the gap between incarceration and freedom.
The Education Team at The Last Mile is searching for a passionate and empathic Curriculum Developer to help us build and refine our curricula. You will support the Curriculum Director in developing strategy for and iterating on the current curriculum to ensure it incorporates the most in-demand skills by employers and the best teaching practices from our growing team of instructors. In addition, this role will expand our curriculum to identify and provide additional training that are in-demand in industry, such as IT certifications, UI/UX design, and entrepreneurship.
As Curriculum Developer, you will work closely with classroom facilitators, students, content partners, and the larger Education Team. You will develop responsive curricula that introduce and prepare students for a career in technology, collaborate closely with our Remote Instruction and Community Engagement teams to align the instruction and support that students receive, and support the design of technical assessments to evaluate student performance and provide individualized feedback.
Responsibilities:
- Develop replicable, scalable curricula and course materials that respond to the needs of incarcerated students with support from the Director of Programs and Curriculum Director
- Write and design new modules and tutorials to expand the breadth and depth of computer science related instruction for our students.
- Design content for pilot projects to differentiate offerings across student demographics.
- Participate in the Curriculum Team’s content development and review cycle by researching best practices in pedagogy and current technology needs, writing educational content, reviewing team members’ work, and publishing final content in the LMS.
- Prepare instructional documentation templates to communicate complex and technical information easily.
- Collaborate closely with other TLM staff including the Curriculum Director, Director of Programs, Director of Education, Academic Support Representatives, and LMS engineers to manage and refine curriculum
- Assess needs and provide recommendations on improving continuing education
- Use feedback from students and facilitators to drive curriculum updates and changes.
- Maintain a positive and supportive attitude at all times. Provide honest and constructive feedback and appropriate encouragement to students and colleagues.
- Develop frameworks for tracking student metrics and success, revamp current assignments and final assessment.
Education and/or Work Experience Requirements:
- 1-3 years of professional experience, which may include teaching young people, writing technical curriculum, or working in engineering roles.
- Experience using JavaScript to build web applications
- Knowledge of current tools, best practices, and trends in the tech industry
- Successful completion of a developer bootcamp OR a degree in Computer Science
- Embrace challenges and adopt new responsibilities with creativity, initiative, and self-direction.
- Be an intellectually curious and responsive team contributor, delivering and receiving feedback regularly, and eager to learn and stay up to date on computer science education.
- Demonstrate comfort with adjusting work to evolving priorities in a dynamic work environment.
- Believe that anyone can learn to code.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Intermediate to advanced proficiency with HTML5, CSS3, jQuery, MySQL, and/or MERN stack.
- Experience working with incarcerated individuals, at-risk youth, or similar populations.
- Curriculum development or software engineering experience.
- Knowledge of Python, UX/UI, Project Management, Web Design, and/or Native app development
- Proficiency in GitLab, especially developing lesson branches and optimizing dependencies.
- Strong writer who can craft engaging content for students, teachers, and volunteers.
- Ability or interest in leading virtual instruction or in scripting and/or being featured in pre-recorded videos
- Curious to learn new systems, tools, and technologies quickly in order to build curriculum.
- Can communicate clearly and effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Familiarity with Understanding by Design, Universal Design for Learning, and/or Agile Development Methodologies.
Work Environment:
This position will be primarily located in San Francisco, and will require visits to the TLM prison locations.
Please send resume and cover letter to jobs@thelastmile.org if you are interested.
TLM is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and second chances at our organization. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, or any other protected class.
Job Title : Business Development Manager
Work Location: San Francisco (TLM Office), Remote, San Quentin State Prison
Annual Salary: Commensurate, based on experience
The Last Mile has successfully implemented the first computer programming curriculum in a US prison. Our innovative approach to recidivism prevention combines web engineering and accessibility quality assurance education with reentry support.
Top students from Code.7370 at San Quentin that have demonstrated exceptional skill and ability are eligible to work in The Last Mile Works, the first web development shop inside a US prison. Our goal is to better prepare them for employment upon release by providing them with work experience, a professional portfolio, and familiarity with common workplace practices, toolings, and workflows. TLM Works participants are exposed to real experiences such as interviewing for a job, meeting client expectations, time-budgeting, task management, peer-reviews, ongoing professional development, weekly one-on-ones with a project manager, and social soft-skills in a team setting with peers and supervisors.
TLM Works program participants develop and ship software, WCAG 2.1 accessibility assessments, and services to paying clients while earning market comparable wages.
Beyond a strong foundation in HTML/CSS and Javascript, TLM Works participants have experience working with PHP, WordPress, JavaScript, Node, ReactJS, D3.JS, and operational awareness of cloud infrastructure and fundamentals.
Position Description:
As the Business Development Manager for TLM Works, you will be the primary person responsible for client acquisition and retention and TLMW marketing and client relations while maintaining TLMW’s brand and mission. TLMW is a small and relatively young development shop, working in a nontraditional environment.
Our Business Development Manager is tasked with finding new clients through posting marketing materials online, attending events, in-market networking, etc. Explaining to prospective clients both the services we offer as well as the nature of The Last Mile and our developers is crucial to the success of this position. In addition to pursuing new leads and on-boarding new clients, the second primary responsibility for this role is liaising between the Web Development Manager and the clients, serving as a gateway of communication between current (and prospective) clients and the development team about the status of current work, change requests, etc.
This role presents the opportunity for leadership and growth within the department.
Work environment:
Professional. You will be working from the TLM office space in SOMA San Francisco on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and remotely for the rest of the week. Occasionally, you will be working in a monitored and restricted correctional institution around program participants (incarcerated developers). While working remotely, interactions will be done mostly via Google Hangouts or over the phone, but in person meetings and event attendance should be expected.
Years of experience: 1-3 years
Duties and responsibilities:
- Work with and develop the current prospect database within specified business sectors to generate effective leads & exceed sales targets for the business
- Work closely with TLM Works clients to understand their product vision, and break it down into an actionable proposal for the development team
- Help clients understand our iterative development approach and unorthodox environment
- Work with design resources to ensure comprehensive delivery of designs and assets to the development team
- Create Bid proposals, Statements of Work, Professional Service Agreements and Invoices with each client
- Build partnerships with marketing/designers looking to outsource development support
- Work hands-on with the development team to prioritize, plan, and deliver software that meets client requirements
- Maintain a sales plan including cold-calling, direct marketing, and attending industry events to build relationships with key prospects
- Identify opportunities for campaigns, services, and distribution channels that will lead to an increase in sales
- Respond to incoming Requests for Information (RFIs), Requests for Proposals (RFPs) in a professional and creative manner
- Arrange and participate in internal/external client debriefs
Education and/or Work Experience Requirements:
- 1-3 years experience in web development (or related) sales and/or marketing
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Preference given to those passionate about justice reform, workforce development, technology, and sales
Work Environment:
- This position is typically conducted in an office setting (44 Tehama Street) or remotely. Frequent visits to San Quentin State Prison are also expected
- While working in a state correctional facility, employee is responsible at all times for following all procedures and precautions for working safely in a prison environment
Please send resume and cover letter to jobs@thelastmile.org if you are interested. Start date is expected ASAP.
