Program Coach (Oakland)
Full-Time Position Start Date: December 15, 2026
Who We Are
CROP (Creating Restorative Opportunities and Programs) is an Oakland-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to reimagining reentry through a holistic and human-centered model. Driven by innovative approaches to education, advocacy, housing, personal leadership development, and workforce pathways, CROP works to reduce recidivism and create opportunities for justice-impacted individuals. Founded by leaders with direct lived experience in the criminal justice system, CROP’s programs aim to transform lives and communities.
What You’ll Do
The Program Coach plays a key role in supporting participants throughout CROP’s Ready 4 Life (R4L) program, focusing on personal leadership development and digital literacy. This position involves guiding participants through mindset shifts, personal responsibility, and life navigation while providing ongoing coaching during key program phases, including upskilling, apprenticeships, and housing placement.
A key responsibility of the Program Coach is delivering CROP’s programming inside prisons to help transform institutional culture, prepare individuals for successful reentry, and create pathways into the Ready 4 Life program. Through these efforts, the Program Coach fosters personal growth, promotes positive behavioral change, and helps participants successfully transition back into their communities.
In addition to individualized coaching, the Program Coach leads program presentations within institutions, supports applicant recruitment, and participates in the applicant screening process. This role is critical to fostering participant growth and ensuring successful program engagement.
OAKLAND PROGRAM DELIVERY AND COACHING
- Facilitate CROP’s signature three-day onboarding seminar and orientation for new participants
- Deliver CROP’s three-month Leadership 4 Life curriculum
- Support digital literacy and financial wellness instruction
- Provide both group and 1:1 coaching throughout the program’s duration, supporting personal leadership development and behavioral change
- Lead community engagement activities and hands-on learning experiences - such as community events and service projects - that foster personal growth, promote contributing to others, and instill a sense of responsibility and gratitude toward the broader community.
- Facilitate postgraduate support, including virtual Alumni Support meetings as needed
PROGRAM PARTICIPANT RECRUITMENT AND SUPPORT
- Lead the admissions process for R4L candidates, including reviewing applications, conducting initial screenings, and interviewing potential participants
- Recruit program participants within correctional institutions and regional organizations through information sessions, one-on-one conversations, and distributing application materials
- Build and maintain relationships with program participants, establishing clear norms, values, and a supportive cohort culture
- Ensure adherence to program schedules while collecting and implementing participant feedback to continuously improve program delivery
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AND COACHING IN CALIFORNIA STATE PRISONS
- Travel weekly to California State Prisons to deliver CROP’s personal development curriculum, fostering leadership growth and reentry readiness. This includes visits to the LA office at least twice a year or up to 10 work days annually to connect with team members and contribute to shared projects and initiatives
- Coach participants on setting and achieving personal development goals, implementing positive behavioral changes, and successfully navigating the practical aspects of reentry
- Lead workshops and activities that build practical reentry skills, changing institutional dynamics by creating a forward-looking environment focused on successful community return
PROGRAM EVALUATION AND REPORTING
- Document participant progress, including learning component scores, attendance, and individual metrics
- Provide regular reports on participant outcomes and recommend program improvements to the Managing Director
- Maintain accurate records to support program evaluation and organizational reporting
TEAM COLLABORATION AND ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE
- Participate in cross-departmental initiatives that strengthen CROP's overall program offerings and impact
- Contribute to a positive organizational culture by modeling CROP's values in all interactions with participants, colleagues, and partners
- Perform other duties as assigned to support organizational goals and participant success
Who You Are
You excel in collaborative environments, driven by your deep understanding of accountability and a people-centered approach to mentorship. Your empathy and passion for supporting justice-impacted individuals shine through in your work, making you a compassionate and effective advocate for personal and systemic change. You're passionate about CROP's mission, eager to bring your unique perspective and expertise to work that truly matters. With strategic insight and strong execution skills, you know how your contributions help move the organization's goals forward.
We believe great talent comes from many backgrounds and career paths - whether you've followed a traditional career trajectory or taken a unique route to this point in your professional journey. We encourage candidates to apply even if they don't meet every qualification listed below. If you're excited about this role and our mission and think you could be a great fit, we'd love to hear from you.
ROLE FOUNDATIONS
For this role, there are a few essential requirements:
- Based out of Bay Area
- Lived experience navigating the criminal justice system and reentry process
- 5+ years experience in program facilitation with justice-involved populations
- The ideal candidate must demonstrate a significant shift in their thinking during their incarceration, reflecting a personally responsible perspective through their actions, decisions, and commitment to personal growth
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
We're especially excited about candidates who bring experience and capabilities in some of these areas:
Knowledge
- Understanding of Reentry and Personal Development: A strong grasp of the reentry process and how personal development, behavioral change, and leadership growth are crucial for successful reintegration into society.
- Familiarity with Correctional Systems: Knowledge of institutional culture within California State Prisons and how to navigate and transform it to foster growth and readiness for reentry.
Skills
- Coaching and Mentoring: Experience in one-on-one coaching to guide participants through mindset shifts, personal responsibility, and life navigation. Ability to offer ongoing support and adjust coaching strategies to meet individual needs.
- Curriculum Design and Delivery: Experience delivering personal development curricula, including digital literacy and financial wellness, to a diverse group of individuals.
- Recruitment and Screening: Prior experience with identifying high potential candidates for transformative programming, leading admissions processes, and engaging with individuals inside prisons to promote program enrollment.
- Data Management and Reporting: Proficient in tracking and documenting participant progress, measuring success, and providing data-driven feedback for continuous improvement.
Abilities
- Empathy and Emotional Intelligence: Ability to understand and relate to the personal struggles and aspirations of justice-involved individuals, providing compassionate support and fostering trust in the coaching relationship.
- Adaptability in High-Pressure Environments: Ability to thrive in challenging environments, such as correctional facilities, and adapt quickly to changing circumstances while maintaining a positive and supportive presence.
- Relationship Building: Skilled in cultivating meaningful, long-lasting relationships with participants, peers, and stakeholders, ensuring continued engagement and support throughout the program.
Additional Details
Compensation and Benefits This full-time, non-exempt position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including healthcare, holidays, and paid time off. The hourly wage range for this position is $35.58 to $38.94 per hour. This role requires adherence to security protocols and completion of specialized training for working within California State Prisons to ensure compliance and safety.
Schedule
This is a full-time, 40 hour per week, hybrid position. General hours of employment are 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday – Friday. The role requires regular presence in our Oakland office, periodic travel to various CA state prisons, and occasional travel to our LA office.
Supervision
This role is supervised by the Reentry Case Manager.
Application
CROP is committed to hiring talented and qualified individuals with diverse backgrounds for all of its roles, with an emphasis on uplifting the proximate leadership of talent with criminal records. CROP believes that the gathering and celebration of unique backgrounds, qualities, abilities and cultures strengthens our workplace and supports the success of our programs. CROP also is deeply committed to equity and as such never discriminates on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, class, conviction history, immigration status, age, ability, or mental health.
Application Submission Includes
Please submit a resume and cover letter.
Applications will be received and reviewed until December 1st. After this time, we may continue to review applications on a rolling basis, however, encourage candidates to apply before the deadline and/or as soon as possible. If you have any questions about the application or the position, please contact Ricky Godoy at ricky.godoy@croporg.org.