SY 24-25 Anticipated Restorative Justice Coordinator

Position Overview

The Restorative Justice Coordinator will work as part of the leadership team of the Office of Education Options, to develop a strategy for systems change, and to support the implementation of new and innovative approaches to school discipline for Chicago's Options Schools. This work includes developing policy directives for Options Schools that reduce reliance on suspension and expulsion, in line with the new District wide Uniform Code of Conduct. The Restorative Justice Coordinator will work closely with school leaders and faculty at the 50-Options School sites, developing capacity at the school level, providing leadership and coordination with the juvenile court and Department of Probation, as well as providing training to support implementation of restorative strategies and approaches in these realms. Options Schools are experiencing a period of rapid growth, and this position will be responsible for supporting the development of school discipline approaches for new schools as they are approved and throughout their planning and incubation.

The Restorative Justice Coordinator will train school faculty in facilitating "reentry circles" for youth who are returning to school post-detainment, a new approach meant to provide a supportive and welcoming transition for students who have returned to school, as well as trainings in other restorative approaches such as peer juries and peace circles. The Restorative Justice Coordinator will be responsible for developing strategies Options Schools can use to support for young people in school after they have been detained or incarcerated. Because Options Schools serve a large number of youth who are formerly detained or incarcerated, it is important that these schools are well equipped to support the specific educational and socio-emotional needs of these students. The Restorative Justice Coordinator will support Options Schools in developing new approaches to school discipline which help to reduce out of school suspension and expulsion rates, and reverse the "school to prison pipeline."

Principal Responsibilities

• Develop Network level strategy for capacity building at the more than 50 Options Schools.

• Develop Network policies and alternative approaches to school discipline for Options Schools, which focus on reducing harm and increasing youth engagement in school.

• Build and maintain strong relationships and joint strategies with leaders at the juvenile court and Department of Probation for Cook County.

• Support Principals and other leaders at Options Schools in building a cultural shift in their schools, including a focus on restorative practices.

• Work collaboratively with the Juvenile Justice Reengagement Team, to develop new and restorative approaches to supporting the transition back to school for youth who have been out of school because they were detained or incarcerated.

• Build strong relationships with school leaders, as well as counselors and teachers at Options Schools.

• Assess the current need for training in restorative justice approaches at Options Schools, and develop a strategic plan for training and program development.

• Develop training curriculum and facilitate trainings for school faculty at Nancy B. Jefferson Alternative School, as well as Options Schools which enroll a high number of students who are formerly detained or incarcerated.

• Build and maintain positive relationships and healthy communication with parents, guardians, students, probation officers, staff and school administrators.

Skills & Abilities

The ideal candidate will:

• Develop and maintain strong, empathetic relationships with students and their families.

• Have a background in restorative justice practices, including development of curricula and training.

• Demonstrate understanding of the ethical and legal implications of this work and respect for the rights of students and families, including the need for confidentiality.

• Evaluate and address social service and other needs of at-risk students, and coordinate efforts of service providers and community organizations.

• Be able to work with minimal supervision outside of formalized office setting.

• Be willing to work flexible hours to meet needs of families, and to attend evening meetings.

• Have significant experience working with court and/or gang-involved youth.

• Have worked with youth in a confined setting such as a jail or prison.

• A minimum of 5 years of highly successful related experience.

• Documented skills in leading productive teams through complex situations.

• Demonstrated mastery of restorative justice and school climate & culture best practices.

• Previous supervision and evaluation of staff is highly desirable.

• Exhibit passion and the ability to thrive amidst change and challenging conditions while maintaining a positive outlook and forward looking perspective.

• Takes personal responsibility for mistakes and learns from them, while consistently following up with analysis and corrective action.

• Commitment to social justice and public schooling in particular.

• Effective oral and written communication skills.

Type of Education Required:

• Masters Degree in Clinical Social Work, Law, or related field.

Type of Experience and Number of Years:

• Minimum of 5 years working with adolescents in an educational, advocacy, or social service setting.

• Experience evaluating and meeting the social service needs of juvenile offenders and coordinating efforts of various social service agencies health, and community organizations.

• Experience working with court-involved youth, or young people who are gang affiliated.

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