Restorative Justice Specialist & Family Liaison
Job Title: Restorative Justice Specialist & Family Liaison
Classification: Full-Time Exempt
Salary: $25 - $28/hr
Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Paid Time Off, Paid Jury Duty, Paid Holidays, Credit Union, 401k, Mileage Reimbursement.
Reports To: Associate Director, Equity & Justice, Deputy Director of Programs
Location: San Andreas Continuation School (San Benito County)
Position Focus:
The goal of the Youth Alliance Restorative Justice Specialist & Family Liaison is to fundamentally shift the way we respond to youthful wrongdoing from punitive, zero tolerance approaches that cause more harm to restorative approaches that heal and repair harm. YA’s goal is to connect, provide training and technical assistance to support restorative practices in schools, communities, and the justice system. This position will work directly with referred students as a means to dismantle the school-to-prison pipeline.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The Restorative Justice Specialist & Family Liaison (RJSFL) is responsible for implementing school program objectives and satisfying the deliverables related to the restorative justice demonstration programs based in schools and the surrounding neighborhood. The RJSFL will serve as an in-house and regional expert for safe school climate and restorative practices, representing Youth Alliance on designated school district, community, or statewide committees and collaboratives. The Restorative Justice Specialist & Family Liaison will report to the Equity and Justice Associate Director and the Deputy Director of Programs.
Specifically, the RJSFL will:
Establish a collaborative working relationship with YA staff and with administrators, faculty, community-based organization staff, and others at the designated school sites.
Establish positive relationships with students and families.
Offer training, and technical assistance and support to staff and students in facilitation of Restorative Conferences, Restorative Conversations, Peacemaking Circles, Community-Building Circles, Talking Circles, etc.
Facilitate and co-facilitate Restorative Conferences, multi-disciplinary team meetings, Restorative Conversations, Peacemaking Circles, Community-Building Circles, Talking Circles, etc. among students and staff.
Together with the responsible site administrator, develop and implement a referral system for Restorative Conferences for youth involved in school discipline matters including a protocol for screening to determine appropriateness of case for referral to restorative methods and advocacy for support services.
With support from the Director, the RJSFL supports aligning programs with district and agency priorities including the Local Control Accountability Plan specifically in positive school climate, parent engagement as well as site/department specific school site safety plans, and emergency protocols.
Consult with the Parent Education Coordinator and/or other designated YA staff to support the launch and operation of a youth component to parent education organizing to drive student-centered education leadership and advocacy at the middle and high school levels.
Complete administrative tasks such as data entry for reports, collecting consent forms from youth participants in intensive circle or conferencing processes, budgeting and invoicing, and planning meetings and events.
Complete intake assessments, prepare participants, send confirmation notices, facilitate process, develop agreed-upon plans, and conduct follow-up for Restorative conferences and circles.
Prepare written reports and enter data into the database on an ongoing basis.
Support training, technical assistance for parents and the targeted neighborhood community and congregation members in facilitation of Restorative Conferences, Conflict Circles, and Circles of Support and Accountability.
Review and maintain familiarity with staff policies and procedures, District Disciplinary Hearing Process, the Parent Guide, and pertinent sections of the Education Code. Support and advocate for positive changes as needed.
Work with the team on research and evaluation to implement program and whole school systems change evaluation strategies. Collect data (both verbal and written), and maintain database records.
Assist in inventory of social-emotional learning or prevention supplies and order if needed.
Engage in professional development; keep abreast of best school practices and research in the field of Restorative Justice and family engagement.
Assist with supervision during the students time outside for break and lunch supervision.
Perform or support facilitating weekly and monthly community-building circles at four Alternative Education school sites.
Create community-building circle themes as needed.
Other duties as assigned.
Employment Standards:
Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree required. Masters Degree in Education or Social Work a plus. Minimum of two years experience coordinating programs. Trained in restorative justice. Experience leading teams, conducting presentations, and meeting facilitation. Computer proficiency to include working knowledge of email, document creation in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other software. Bilingual (Spanish/English) required. Biliterate is a plus.
Knowledge: Experience working with diverse populations in an educational setting. Knowledge of education concepts, child growth, youth development, and behavior characteristics and atypical child behavior characteristics; application of curriculum and instructional objectives for children; Knowledge of restorative approaches that heal and repair harm, school-based positive school climate strategies, and positive student behavior management techniques and intervention/prevention strategies. English usage, punctuation, spelling and grammar; basic arithmetic concepts, excellent record keeping, record management, maintenance of grant compliance and fiscal records and systems; and computer usage.
Abilities: Ability to confidently communicate with diverse stakeholders; instruct and plan learning activities in coordination with or support of educational success; training and directing of staff; excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills; exercise good judgment and acting calmly in emergency situations; dealing effectively with clients and the public; and the ability to work effectively with persons differing in value systems, ethnicity, cultural backgrounds, language capabilities. Ability to train and direct staff, excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills, and effective in working with youth, families, and the public. Demonstrate an understanding, patient, and receptive attitude toward children and parents; meet requirements associated with the tasks outlined in the position description; establish and maintain effective work relationships with those contacted in the performance of required duties. Own automobile with valid California Driver's License.
Physical Demands/Work Environment: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee regularly is required to stand, walk, and sit; use hands and fingers, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; stoop, kneel. Balancing, Climbing, and Crawling are not required. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds. Assistance is required above this amount.
Licenses and Certificates: A valid First Aid and CPR certificate may be required.
Special Requirements: Must be able to meet and receive Fingerprinting/Background Check and TB Test clearance as required by the school district to work with children in a school setting. Must be physically able to assist clients and/or staff in the evacuation of program facilities in emergencies. Must be grounded in social and racial justice principles and act as an advocate/educator to develop equitable education systems.
To Apply:
Please submit/email the following documents to rigo@youthall.org
Cover Letter
Resume
Position open until filled. We will be reviewing applications as they are received.
Youth Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides innovative and culturally relevant services that strengthen and enrich youth, families, and the community. Youth Alliance has served San Benito County since 1995. Youth Alliance believes long-term community wellness is best done in partnership with youth, families, and stakeholders. YA utilizes a relationship based outreach model within a framework of positive youth development, family, and personal healing, and social equity to engage, empower, and coalesce resources.
Youth Alliance | 310 4th Street, Ste 101 Hollister CA 95023 (831) 636-2853
Youth Alliance is an Equal Opportunity Employer