The Hartford Community Restorative Justice Center is hiring a full-time Program Coordinator to support restorative justice and reentry programming.
This position supports three core areas of HCRJC’s work: Reparative Panels, Circles of Support and Accountability, and Reentry Navigation. The Program Coordinator helps facilitate structured restorative processes, supports participants in completing program expectations, coordinates volunteers, communicates with victims or impacted parties when appropriate, and maintains accurate documentation.
A strong candidate will be interested in restorative justice, criminal justice reform, reentry, corrections, diversion, or community accountability. Staff work as part of a team and follow HCRJC’s policies, supervision, and program expectations.
Who We Are
For more than 15 years, the Hartford Community Restorative Justice Center has served Hartford and surrounding communities as a place for accountability, repair, and reentry. We work with people after harm, incarceration, and conflict. Our restorative justice work includes Reparative Panels, Circles of Support and Accountability, and Reentry Navigation. Our approach is relational, but structured. We believe change is possible when people have clear expectations, meaningful accountability, and a community willing to stay engaged.
What the Role Involves
HCRJC is a busy, community-facing office where some days are planned and others shift quickly. Staff may prepare for a Reparative Panel, coordinate with volunteers, respond to a referral, support a COSA meeting, or meet with someone navigating reentry. The work is human and practical. Staff are expected to be warm, clear, organized, and consistent while following program expectations, documenting their work, and maintaining healthy boundaries.
This role does not provide treatment, legal advice, or emergency response. When needs fall outside HCRJC’s role, staff work with a supervisor to connect the person to the appropriate provider or agency.
Approximate Focus of the Role
The Program Coordinator’s time will vary based on referrals, participant needs, and program schedules. In general, the role is expected to focus on:
50% Circles of Support and AccountabilitySupporting COSA meetings for people returning from incarceration. This may include coordinating volunteers, attending meetings, supporting participant engagement, tracking participation, and maintaining records.
30% Reparative PanelsSupporting structured restorative justice processes for participants referred through the justice system. This may include scheduling panels, preparing participants and volunteers, facilitating meetings, communicating with victims or impacted parties, tracking agreements, and documenting progress.
20% Reentry Navigation and Program SupportMeeting one-on-one with people returning from incarceration and providing limited support for related restorative justice programming as assigned. This may include helping participants identify next steps, make referrals, connect with community resources, support documentation, follow up on referrals, or assist with tasks that help programs run smoothly.
Core Responsibilities
The Program Coordinator will:
- Support Reparative Panels, COSA, and Reentry Navigation
- Facilitate structured restorative justice conversations
- Work one-on-one with participants navigating reentry
- Coordinate volunteer schedules, preparation, and communication
- Communicate with victims or impacted parties as part of restorative justice programming
- Help participants understand expectations and follow through on next steps
- Communicate with Hartford Probation and Parole, the Department of Corrections, and community partners
- Maintain accurate notes, records, agreement tracking, referral tracking, and reporting data
- Schedule meetings, prepare materials, and support daily office operations
- Follow HCRJC policies, maintain boundaries, and bring concerns to a supervisor
Who We Hope Applies
This role may be a strong fit for someone interested in restorative justice, reentry, criminal justice reform, corrections, diversion, or community accountability. We value professional, volunteer, educational, and lived experience. Applicants with relevant lived experience are encouraged to apply. The right candidate will be dependable, grounded, organized, and able to balance compassion with accountability.
Qualifications
A bachelor’s degree is preferred but not required. Relevant experience may include restorative justice, reentry, corrections, criminal justice, volunteer coordination, facilitation, or community-based work. Candidates should have strong communication skills, good follow-through, sound judgment, basic computer skills, and the ability to maintain confidentiality and follow policies.
HCRJC is an equal opportunity employer.
Pay: $22.00 - $24.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply
Application Question(s):
- What interests you about restorative justice, reentry, criminal justice reform, corrections, diversion, or community accountability work?
- This role involves facilitating structured conversations with participants, volunteers, and sometimes victims or impacted parties. Please describe any experience you have with facilitation, group conversations, accountability processes, volunteer-led programs, or similar work.
- This role requires clear boundaries, documentation, and working within HCRJC’s policies and supervision. How would you handle a situation where a participant needs support that falls outside your role or HCRJC’s scope?
Work Location: In person
