Wrongful Conviction Training Associate Director, Illinois Innocence Project

Wrongful Conviction Training Associate Director, Illinois Innocence Project

Posting Category: E

About UIS: Located in the state capital, the University of Illinois Springfield is one of three members of the University of Illinois system. The University serves more than 4,000 students in 44 graduate and 56 undergraduate programs. You are encouraged to visit the university web page at

Application deadline: 12/2/2025

Minimum Starting Salary: $92,000 annually

Summary:
This position is responsible for ongoing, statewide delivery of the Illinois Innocence Project's Wrongful Conviction Awareness & Avoidance (WCAA) Police Training Program at each of the state's police academies as part of the Base Law Enforcement Training program and expansion into the Illinois Mobile Team Units as part of in-service training.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Provide WCAA program leadership and management. Direct the day-to-day operations of the IIP WCAA training program by establishing and supervising program goals, curriculum, policies, procedures and staff, and supervising one direct report to achieve the program's mission. Oversee and collaborate with the CSPL Research and Evaluation Team to develop survey instruments to capture the pre and post impacts of the IIP training. Advise IIP attorneys, exoneree speakers, and other speakers on curriculum delivery. Collaborate with the coordinator of the Exoneree Speaker's Bureau to develop and maintain a pool of speakers. Provide regular reports on the status of the training program to IIP leadership.

• Develop law enforcement and community outreach, including relationships with police academy directors and staff, policymakers, the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board, the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police, the Illinois Sheriffs' Association and other external constituents. Present at key stakeholder conferences, such as the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement & Standards, and the Innocence Network. Serve as the primary spokesperson for WCAA at training sessions, public events, and in the press

• Oversee curriculum development and instruction. Develop and lead the WCAA curriculum committee in updating the training curriculum annually, incorporating the most recent research and findings as appropriate. Oversee and direct ongoing research, evaluation, and data mining on new findings regarding policing practices and wrongful convictions.

• Provide fiscal oversight of WCAA, ensuring operation within the confines of the organizational budget. Oversee, coordinate, and expedite logistical arrangements including schedule and travel for WCAA training sessions. Work closely with IIP financial administration and IIP leadership to manage the WCAA budget and financial decisions for the program

• Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

(1) Master's degree from an accredited university in a human services field (i.e. public administration, criminal justice, law enforcement, etc.)
(2) At least ten (10) years' experience as a police officer
(3) At least five (5) years as a Field Training Officer (or experience facilitating trainings, other equivalent teaching, or training experience)
(4) At least two (2) years' experience facilitating wrongful conviction trainings and presentations

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
Ability and willingness to travel (with a valid driver's license) frequently within Illinois and occasionally out of state.

.Preferred demonstrated knowledge in curriculum development

Preferred knowledge of wrongful convictions and postconviction claims of actual innocence

Preferred demonstrated passion for improving police training and methods.

Preferred demonstrated interest in working with the freed and exonerated community.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Ability to hire and lead staff in a manner that develops staff and meets organizational objectives.

Ability to work effectively and collaborate with others, including IIP leadership, IIP staff and students, attorneys, members of law enforcement at all levels, individuals impacted by wrongful convictions, policymakers, and other key stakeholders.

Physical Demands:

• Standing : Occasionally

• Walking : Occasionally

• Sitting : Frequently

Travel Requirements:
40% Travel to all WCAA training across the state, conferences and meetings

Employment Policies and other information:

UIS is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer with a strong institutional commitment to recruitment and retention of a diverse and inclusive campus community. Women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

As a qualifying federal contractor, the University of Illinois System uses E-Verify to verify employment eligibility.

The University of Illinois may conduct background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer of employment. Background checks will be performed in compliance with state and federal law.

The University of Illinois System requires candidates selected for hire to disclose any documented finding of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment and to authorize inquiries to current or former employers regarding findings of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment. For more information, visit Policy on Consideration of Sexual Misconduct in Prior Employment.

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

UIS employment in this role is not covered by Social Security, and instead, is covered by the State University Retirement System.

• You will not pay Social Security taxes and your earning will not be on your Social Security Record. (Your record will, however, show your Medicare wages.

• Your pension from the State Universities Retirement System may affect the amount of your:

• Social Security benefit and

• Social Security benefit as a spouse

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act to complete the application and/or interview process. Requests may be submitted by contacting UIS HR at or call

***Please Note: All postings close at 5:00pm CST on the posting close date.***