JOB DESCRIPTION -
Restorative Justice Coordinator - Job Code 505051
Restorative Justice Coordinator (Dean of Students) Job Description - SSICP
SUMMARY
The SSICP Restorative Justice Coordinator serves as an equity focused, student-centered, restorative practices leader. The RJC/Dean of Students will support all SSICP scholars, teachers and parents by collaborating closely with the administrative team to ensure that the school's mission and vision is carried out through the implementation of restorative justice practices, priorities and goals as aligned to the school's Continuous Improvement Work Plan. An essential element of this role is a passion and belief that all SSICP scholars will attain academic excellence with the appropriate support and resources. The RJC Dean will lead the work of supporting scholars and holding them accountable to honoring school-wide expectations that are outlined in the TARSway. The RJC Dean will serve as the leader of restorative practices for the SSICP school community and will ensure district compliance in Aspen as well as full implementation of the TARSway. This role requires the ability to engage multiple stakeholders and the initiative to engage scholars and staff in maintaining a positive and safe school environment.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Builds effective relationships with school leadership, staff, scholars, families and community members
Liaison between parents and SSICP
Supports the security team to implement Physical Restraint Time Out and Restorative Practices
Ensure incident report entry and management on all required district platforms (Aspen, Focus, SSM, etc.)
Core Values and Mindset
Believes that all students can succeed
Believes in the brilliance of the South Shore community
Maintains an equity lens that is asset versus deficit based
Respects and adapts to people across all lines of differences including racial, ethnic, and other identities
Believes in the value of professional learning by seeking out new information and requesting feedback to improve professional skills
Professional Responsibilities
Recommends disciplinary action for students in violation of established discipline codes
Cultivates a culture of healing and safety through accountability, skill-building, and relationships
Facilitate restorative practices across universal, targeted, and intensive tiers of support with all school community stakeholders
Facilitate Tier 1 proactive restorative practices with administrators, staff, students, and families
e.g. check-ins, establishing shared values, community building, restorative conversations, classroom talking circles and restorative communication to build community and celebrate students and achievements
Facilitate and connect students, families, staff and administrators to appropriate Tier 2 and 3 responsive restorative practices
e.g. Restorative Conversations, Peace Circles, Peer Conference, Re-entry Processes, Crisis or Trauma Support
Sets up and maintains a physical space for the implementation of restorative practices (e.g. school Peace Room and assisting teachers in creating classroom-based spaces for restorative work)
Provide training and coaching to build capacity within school community in restorative justice mindset and skills
Models and co-facilitates restorative practices in classrooms and in staff meetings, with an objective of building staff capacity to facilitate, including a restorative discipline protocol to communicate school-wide expectations for restorative justice practices
e.g. intro to restorative justice, restorative communication, restorative conversations, talking circles, peace circles
Identifies trainers to support whole school implementation
When individual student social, emotional, and/or behavior issues arise, consult with school staff on restorative prevention, de-escalation, and intervention strategies, and identify opportunities for minimizing or addressing behavior issues in the future
Develops students’ restorative justice skills through Peer Conference, restorative justice workshops for students, and restorative justice leadership and facilitation opportunities for students
Includes student-led community events
Participates in the Chicago and CPS restorative justice community to further the growth of restorative justice including communities of practice and coaching
Attends regular professional development training and coaching in restorative justice, cultural competency, anti-racism, trauma responsiveness, circle practice, and related topics
Develops data-informed strategic goals for schoolwide restorative practices implementation within the Connectedness and Wellbeing Priority area of the school’s Continuous Improvement Work Plan
Collects and analyzes schoolwide data on the implementation of restorative practices to identify areas for growth, inform training and coaching offerings
Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
General skills in:
Analyzing problems and recommending effective solutions
Communicating effectively to engage a variety of stakeholders
Ability to interface with students, families, teachers, school leaders, and classroom support staff to find creative solutions to challenging problems
Providing excellent customer service
Previous experience in a school setting/or working with adolescents
Two years of training and/or experience in restorative justice and circle practice
Ability to work after school and weekend hours
At least two years of direct experience implementing conflict mediation (e.g. de-escalation, facilitating conversations to repair harm) and positive youth development in a school or community setting
Education and/or Experience
Physical Demands
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 sit and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is required to stand and walk. The employee must occasionally utilize appropriate physical restraint techniques if a scholar is a physical danger to themselves or others. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Disclaimer
The following statements of the job description are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by an employee in this category. The description does not contain an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills and other requirements necessary to perform in this position.
Official CPS Job Description
Restorative justice is grounded in the worldview that fostering connection and belonging, addressing people's needs, and building their skills is more effective in creating a healthy and safe community rather than punitive measures. The Restorative Justice Coordinator reports to the school principal and works directly with students, staff, admin, families, and school stakeholders to facilitate restorative practices, build schoolwide systems and capacity for restorative justice, and advance the reach of restorative justice in the CPS community.
Main job function:
Cultivate a schoolwide culture of healing and safety through accountability, skill-building, and relationships.
Primary Responsibilities:
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Facilitate restorative practices across universal, targeted, and intensive tiers of support with all school community stakeholders
-
Facilitate Tier 1 proactive restorative practices with administrators, staff, students, and families (e.g. check-ins, establishing shared values, community building, restorative conversations, classroom talking circles and restorative communication to build community and celebrate students and achievements).
-
Facilitate and connect students, families, staff and administrators to appropriate Tier 2 and 3 responsive restorative practices (e.g. restorative conversations, peace circles, Peer Conference, re-entry processes, responding to crisis or trauma, and offering support).
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Setting up and maintaining physical space for the implementation of restorative practices at all tiers (e.g. creating a school Peace Room or assisting teachers in creating classroom-based spaces for restorative work).
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Provide training and coaching to build capacity within school community in restorative justice mindset and skills
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Design and lead training for staff and administrators on restorative justice (intro to restorative justice, restorative communication, restorative conversations, talking circles, peace circles). Develop scope & sequence that meets the school’s restorative justice needs and goals.
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Model and co-facilitate restorative practices in classrooms and in staff meetings, with an objective of building staff capacity to facilitate, including a restorative discipline protocol to communicate school-wide expectations for restorative justice practices
-
Provide individual and team coaching for administrators and staff to develop restorative justice skills; observe the facilitation of restorative practices and provide constructive feedback. When individual student social, emotional, and/or behavior issues arise, consult with school staff on restorative prevention, de-escalation, and intervention strategies, and identify opportunities for minimizing or addressing behavior issues in the future
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Collaborate with and seek input from stakeholders, including parents and community members, through outreach, focus groups, and shared leadership
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Develop students’ restorative justice skills through Peer Conference, restorative justice workshops for students, and restorative justice leadership and facilitation opportunities for students (including student-led community events)
-
Participate in the Chicago and CPS restorative justice community to further the growth of restorative justice
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Participate in programming for Restorative Justice Coordinators, including communities of practice and coaching
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Connect the school to local restorative justice-related community partners, resources, tools, professional development, etc.
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Attend regular professional development training and coaching in restorative justice, cultural competency, anti-racism, trauma responsiveness, circle practice, and related topics
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Develop data-informed strategic goals for schoolwide restorative practices implementation within the school’s Continuous Improvement Work Plan. Collecting and analyzing schoolwide data on the implementation of restorative practices to identify areas for growth, inform training and coaching offerings.
Required Training and Experience:
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A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university is required; Public Administration, Education or Human Services preferred.
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Previous experience in a school setting/or working with adolescents
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Two years of training and/or experience in restorative justice and circle practice
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Ability to work after school and weekend hours
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Four years of direct experience implementing conflict mediation (e.g. de-escalation, facilitating conversations to repair harm) and positive youth development in a school or community setting
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Four years of experience building relationships and collaborations with students, teachers, administration, parents, and/or community partners
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Ability to interface with students, families, teachers, school leaders, and classroom support staff to find creative solutions to challenging problems
Benefits:
Health & Wellness: Your Care, Your Choice
CPS is committed to providing comprehensive health coverage to our employees and their eligible dependents. You'll have access to a variety of choices to best fit your needs:
- Medical Plan Options
- Pharmacy
- Dental
- Vision
- Behavioral Health & EAP
- Employee Wellness Program
Financial Security: Planning for Today and Tomorrow
We understand the importance of financial stability, which is why CPS offers strong retirement and savings options:
- Basic Life Insurance
- Life and Disability Insurance
- Pension Plans
- Supplemental Retirement Plans (403(b) and 457(b))
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
- Spot Pet Insurance
Work-Life Balance: Supporting Your Personal and Professional Life
CPS values the well-being of its employees and offers competitive paid time off policies:
- Paid Leave
- Sick Leave
- Vacation Days
- Parental Leaves
- Short-Term Disability
- Religious Holidays
- Leaves
Reference the Chicago Public Schools: A Comprehensive Benefits Overview or the benefits handbook for comprehensive details.
