Restorative Justice Facilitator

Position: Facilitator

Department: Specialized Programs

Location(s): Citywide – All VIP locations

Reports To: Manager, Restorative Justice Program

Classification: Full Time – Exempt

The Violence Intervention Program (VIP) partners with Latinx communities and all communities of color to end gender-based violence. Created as a grassroots response to intimate partner violence and sexual assault, VIP has always centered survivors in its leadership and has worked to create a community of staff that reflects the rich national, ethnic and racial diversity of the communities it serves. VIP operates three non-residential social service programs, two residential shelter and housing programs, three specialized programs, a bilingual helpline, and a robust community engagement team.

The Restorative Justice Program at VIP is one of the first restorative justice programs to be developed within a domestic violence agency. The program will be working directly with survivors of domestic violence and people/communities who have caused them harm. The goal of the restorative justice program will be to engage survivors and everyone impacted by harm in creating the responses that they need to transform interpersonal violence. The program is dedicated to creating transformative approaches for healing of survivors, their families and communities.

The Restorative Justice Facilitator is an exuberant and compassionate individual with a demonstrated commitment to developing alternative approaches to community healing and restoration with families impacted by domestic violence. The Facilitator reports directly to the Restorative Justice Manager and is responsible for conducting outreach and running a variety of community building and restorative circles designed to offer support to Latinx survivors, families and community. The ideal candidate is an active listener and skilled communicator who engages people with compassion and empathy and views conflict as an opportunity for transformation. The facilitator is approachable and works closely with the Restorative Justice Manager to provide culturally responsive restorative practices to diverse groups of people in multifaceted roles. The candidate embraces values of diversity, cultural humility, teamwork, and community empowerment.

Direct Service and Facilitation:

• Facilitate community-building and restorative circles with clients, and as needed with community and family members, person who caused harm and staff;
• Support the Restorative Justice Manager in facilitating a restorative justice process for cases involving interpersonal harm;
• Engage in outreach, scheduling, and intake interviews of clients, community and family members, and other necessary parties;
• Participate in preparatory sessions with clients to prepare them for a restorative process;
• Provide clients with documentation of program completion, exit materials, and other relevant resources;
• Organize and participate in community meetings/events that promote the program (includes occasional evenings and weekends).
• Communicate with referral sources and community partners to ensure appropriate case outcomes for clients;
• Be available for 1:1 consultation to provide emotional support, safety planning and necessary referrals to clients.
• Participate in relationship building, recruitment, and trainings of community members who volunteer to participate in restorative programming;

Program Development and Planning:

• Assist Manager in developing and designing new program materials and trainings, and updating protocols and resources based on staff and client feedback;
• Participate in strategic planning and implementation efforts to address systemic issues impacting clients;
• Attend ongoing training in restorative justice and circle practice provided by the program.

Administrative:

• Evaluate program effectiveness/efficiency to ensure highest standards of excellence in services;
• Create and maintain accurate and comprehensive data including narrative and statistical information for reporting, compliance and quality assurance purposes;
• Work with Director of Quality Assurance and Compliance and Director of Specialized Programs to ensure timely delivery of all grant reports;
• Work closely with Development Department, providing programmatic and statistical data for support of grant(s) application(s);
• Perform other tasks as required including any related administrative duties as needed.

Requirements:

• Must have Bachelor’s degree or three to five years of relevant lived, educational, and/or professional experience;
• Fully Bilingual Required (English/Spanish – verbal and written);
• Experience and passion for group facilitation and group-based work preferred;
• Previous experience facilitating restorative justice-based programming, and/or a familiarity with principles of restorative justice required;
• Minimum of one (1) year of circle practice experience preferred;
• Strong verbal, written, communication and documenting skills;
• Must be well organized, work independently and collectively, while maintaining a flexible schedule;
• Must be knowledgeable in working with diverse communities, particularly Latinx, people of color, and low- income populations, and must deliver services with cultural humility;
• Must be able to exercise good judgment and sensitivity at all times;
• Must ensure agency, program and client confidentiality at all times;
• Must work well with a team and bring self-awareness and accountability to the workplace;
• Must be passionate about intersectional social justice issues impacting survivors of trauma.

Compensation & Benefits:

• Full-time, non-exempt position, working 35 hours per week with a pay rate of $60,000/year.
• We cover 85-90% of the cost of medical (United Healthcare/Oxford), dental (Aetna) and vision (VSP) coverage for employee and spouse/children/family. Flexible Spending Accounts & Health Savings Accounts available.
• Unlimited Time Off program, 12 paid holidays, a mid-year and end-of-year office closure.
• Summer Friday schedule (optional)
• Commuter benefits (Mass Transit & Parking)
• 403b retirement plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• Disability & Life Insurance

• Fully Bilingual Required (English/Spanish – verbal and written)
• Previous experience facilitating restorative justice-based programming, and/or a familiarity with principles of restorative justice required
• Minimum of one (1) year of circle practice experience preferred