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Prison Educator Jobs in Utah (NOW HIRING)

Deputy Sheriff I

Beaver, UT · On-site

$28.66/hr

Transports prisoners and mental subjects/patients to and from courts, prison, jail and mental ... Requirements Education and Experience: * Successful completion of (P.O.S.T.) Police Officers ...

Transports prisoners and mental subjects/patients to and from courts, prison, jail and mental ... Education and Experience: * Successful completion of (P.O.S.T.) Police Officers Standards and ...

Transports prisoners and mental subjects/patients to and from courts, prison, jail and mental ... Requirements Education and Experience: * Successful completion of (P.O.S.T.) Police Officers ...

Prison Educator information

See Utah salary details

$12

$20

$30

How much do prison educator jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 26, 2026, the average hourly pay for prison educator in Utah is $20.96, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.50 and $23.65 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a prison educator?

A prison educator is a professional who provides educational instruction and training to individuals incarcerated in correctional facilities. Their goal is to help inmates improve literacy, earn diplomas or degrees, develop vocational skills, and prepare for successful reentry into society. Prison educators may teach a variety of subjects, including basic education, GED preparation, vocational skills, or life skills. They play a crucial role in rehabilitation by offering inmates opportunities for personal and professional growth.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a prison educator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Prison Educator, you need a solid background in education, subject matter expertise, and often a teaching license or relevant certification. Familiarity with learning management systems, assessment tools, and correctional facility protocols is typically required. Exceptional communication, cultural sensitivity, and resilience are crucial soft skills for engaging and supporting incarcerated learners. These skills ensure effective instruction, foster positive learning environments, and help reduce recidivism through education.

What are some common challenges faced by prison educators, and how can they be addressed?

Prison Educators often encounter challenges such as limited access to resources, varying literacy levels among students, and the need to adapt teaching methods for a secure environment. Building rapport and trust with incarcerated learners is essential, as is maintaining flexibility to accommodate institutional schedules or restrictions. Successful educators collaborate closely with correctional staff and other educators to create a supportive learning environment while adhering to security protocols. Ongoing professional development and peer support can help in overcoming these challenges and enhancing teaching effectiveness.

What is the difference between Prison Educator vs Prison Counselor?

AspectPrison EducatorPrison Counselor
Required CredentialsTeaching certification or relevant educationCounseling certification or psychology degree
Work EnvironmentClassrooms within correctional facilitiesPrivate or group counseling sessions in correctional settings
Employer & Industry UsageEducational institutions, correctional facilities

Prison Educators focus on teaching academic or vocational skills within correctional facilities, requiring teaching credentials. Prison Counselors provide mental health support, requiring counseling certifications. Both roles work within correctional environments but serve different inmate needs, making them distinct yet complementary roles in the justice system.

What are popular job titles related to Prison Educator jobs in Utah?

For Prison Educator jobs in Utah, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Prison Educator job openings in Utah as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 19% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $43,594 per year, or $21 per hour.

Assistant Director: Prison Education Program

Taylorsville, UT • On-site


Salt Lake Community College
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools • 1 - 5K employees

7.3

Company rating: 7.3 out of 10

Based on 19 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

365th of 623 rated colleges and universities

People enjoy working here

Good employer

Recommended by students


Full-time

Retirement

Posted 8 days ago


Job description

Salary: Depends on Qualifications
Location : Taylorsville Campus, UT
Job Type: Exempt Full Time
Job Number: 202500841
Division: Student Affairs
Department: Learning Advancement
Opening Date: 08/19/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
FLSA: Exempt
Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.
All employees are expected to maintain a permanent residence within the State of Utah as a condition of employment. New employees must provide a valid Utah residential address within 30 days of their start date.
Job Summary
The Assistant Director of the Prison Education Program will engage with SLCC administrators, staff and faculty, Department of Corrections personnel, incarcerated students, community partners, and other stakeholders to develop and deliver SLCC classes/programs to incarcerated individuals in the Utah prison system. The emphasis of this position is on academics and curricula. The Assistant Director will contribute to regional and national conversations about educational equity, poverty, and incarceration and post-incarceration success. This is an at-will position.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities & Knowledge Skills & Abilities
The Assistant Director of Prison Education is responsible for creating an effective educational program for incarcerated students. They will supervise staff, engage with stakeholders on and off campus, manage budgets and college-owned resources, serve on college and community committees, and complete projects in a timely manner. Given the job responsibilities, the ability to obtain and maintain clearance at the prisons will be a necessary condition of employment. The Assistant Director is directly responsible for course scheduling; faculty recruitment, training and support; student advising; course assessment and quality control; curricular agreements with other colleges; educational technology, and supervision of prison education program staff.
Important knowledge, skills and abilities for the Assistant Director position include:
  • Ability to develop and maintain strong working relationships with a broad group of stakeholders.
  • Strong communication and cross-cultural skills.
  • Knowledge pertaining to prison programs and educational systems.
  • Knowledge and experience in a variety of pedagogical practices that can be employed inside a correctional facility.
  • Detail oriented.
  • Project-management skills.
  • Proficiency with computers including Microsoft Office applications, spreadsheets, and databases.
  • Experience in writing and ascertaining grant funding.
  • Ability to successfully supervise others.
  • Ability to communicate effectively with a broad range of people with a variety of abilities and backgrounds, to maintain good working relationships across the College.
  • Ability to work with all groups from a variety of academic, socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds, and with community college students, faculty, and staff, including those with disabilities.
  • Ability to work comfortably with incarcerated students in a supportive and non-judgmental fashion.
  • The Assistant Director will split their time between the prison and the SLCC campus and will often need to work non-traditional hours.

Minimum qualifications
  • Bachelors degree in a discipline taught in SLCC's General Education program.
  • At least 1-year of part or full-time experience working full-time doing any kind of job in a jail, prison, or after someone gets out.
  • At least 2-years of successful part or full-time teaching experience in higher education.
  • Valid driver's license.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Master's degree in a discipline taught in SLCC's General Education program
  • At least 1-year of successful higher education teaching in a corrections setting.
  • At least 2-years of successful non-teaching work in a corrections or rehabilitation setting.
  • Experience conducting quantitative or qualitative research.

SLCC Information
Salt Lake Community College is Utah's largest open-access college in the state. We proudly educate 45,000+ students pursuing degrees in 100+ programs across 8 areas of study, and Utah's fastest growing industries and four-year baccalaureate programs consistently welcome SLCC graduates. Every SLCC employee has a hand in transforming students' lives to strengthen its surrounding communities. SLCC employees work at 8 locations across the valley and capital city of Salt Lake with easy access to the beautiful Wasatch Mountains, world-class outdoor recreation, sporting events, museums, history, and arts and entertainment.
Salt Lake Community College seeks and values contributions from each community member and welcomes new perspectives. A respectful work environment is its top priority; academic excellence and lasting transformation occurs when we can collaborate freely. As an emerging Hispanic Serving Institution, SLCC leads the state with the highest enrollment of students from the Latinx/a/o community. SLCC is committed to serving students and being a model for inclusive and transformative education.
Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) is fully committed to policies of equal employment and nondiscrimination. The College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, disability, religion, protected veteran status, expression of political or personal beliefs outside of the workplace, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.
SLCC is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems ("URS"). In addition to URS, SLCC offers several other retirement account options.
This position is subject to a successful completion of a criminal background check.
  • More information about Salt Lake Community College benefits:

  • Find our Total Compensation Estimator here:

01
Do you have a Bachelors degree in a discipline taught in SLCC's General Education program?
  • Yes
  • No

02
Do you have at least 1-year of part or full-time experience working full-time doing any kind of job in a jail, prison, or after someone gets out?
  • No
  • Yes

03
Do you have at least 2-years of successful part or full-time teaching experience in higher education?
  • Yes
  • No

04
Do you have a valid driver's license?
  • Yes
  • No

Required Question


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