About the Initiative

This is not a traditional prison program.

The San Quentin Initiative operates a real workplace culture inside a correctional facility—including café, kitchen, hospitality, and job-readiness operations—designed to prepare incarcerated men for successful employment and reentry through structure, standards, and real work experience.

We are building a model where dignity is restored through accountability, professionalism, and employable skill development.

Position Overview

The Director of Operations & Workforce Development is responsible for leading all daily operations of the San Quentin Initiative, managing workforce training, maintaining institutional compliance, and cultivating a culture of professionalism that earns the respect of both participants and custody staff.

This leader will operate at the intersection of corrections, workforce development, business operations, and human transformation.

This role requires a calm, disciplined, mission-driven leader who can command respect without ego and operate effectively within CDCR structure.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

• Oversee daily café, kitchen, and workplace training operations inside the facility
• Establish and maintain SOPs, routines, and professional standards
• Manage tools, inventory, schedules, and workflow
• Ensure ServSafe and food safety compliance

Workforce Development

• Train participants in job readiness, punctuality, communication, and professionalism
• Maintain structured schedules and accountability systems
• Track measurable outcomes related to skill development and readiness for employment

CDCR & Institutional Coordination

• Work cooperatively with custody staff, supervisors, and administration
• Ensure full compliance with CDCR rules, documentation, and reporting
• Maintain professionalism and credibility within the institution

Community & Employer Pipeline

• Build relationships with employers and reentry partners
• Coordinate transition pathways from training to employment
• Represent the initiative in meetings, tours, and public-facing opportunities

Culture Building

• Create an environment where standards equal dignity
• Model calm authority, consistency, and respect
• De-escalate conflict through presence and leadership

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional/lived leadership experience (10+ years)
• 7–10+ years of leadership experience in structured or high-accountability environments
• Experience in one or more of the following:
• • Workforce development or vocational training
  • Reentry or rehabilitation programs
  • Hospitality, food service, or operations management
  • Military leadership
  • Probation, parole, or corrections-related services
• Strong organizational and documentation skills
• Ability to pass CDCR clearance and background requirements

Highly Valued Experience

• Military NCO/Officer leadership
• Reentry program management
• Trade or vocational instruction
• Hospitality or kitchen operations
• Trauma-informed or restorative justice training
• ServSafe certification (or willingness to obtain)

Leadership Traits Required for Success

• Calm under pressure
• Consistent, structured, and disciplined
• Firm but respectful
• Observant and emotionally intelligent
• Mission-first, ego-last
• Comfortable in correctional environments
• Belief that real work and standards restore dignity

What This Role Is Not

This is not a case manager, counselor, or classroom instructor role.
This is not a command-and-control corrections position.

This is a leadership role focused on building a professional workplace culture inside a prison.

Compensation

• $50,000 – $120,000 annually, based on experience and background
• Professional development and certification support
• Opportunity to build and lead a nationally replicable model

How to Apply

Submit a resume and a brief statement describing:

Why you are comfortable leading in structured, high-accountability environments and how you believe real work can change lives.