Restorative Justice Facilitator

Description

Central Virginia Community Justice is seeking a part-time restorative facilitator who will collaborate with co-facilitators in guiding conversations between those responsible for harm and those harmed.

CVCJ provides a brave space for those involved in harm to lead their own accountability and healing. We facilitate restorative conferences to divert cases away from the criminal system, as well as to repair harms outside of the system. Through dialogue, those impacted by harm have voice and agency to address their needs, and those responsible for harm have the opportunity to take accountability through actions and acknowledgement. Our cases begin with “groundwork” meetings in which the co-facilitators meet with each person involved in the harm individually to work through what happened, the impacts, and the needs moving forward to foster safety and healing. Once all participants are prepared, the co-facilitators guide them in a face-to-face meeting (the “conference”) where participants create an agreement and a plan for follow-through. Co-facilitators continue to be in touch with participants throughout the follow-through process until the agreement is fulfilled. The co-facilitators’ role is to guide–not direct–the process. Co-facilitators trust in the wisdom of the participants and seek to draw that out.

CVCJ is a new nonprofit with support and enthusiasm from many community stakeholders. We anticipate growing and expanding rapidly over the next few years, prioritizing a shared-leadership model in which committed staff can guide the direction of the organization. Thus we are looking for reflective, collaborative and creative individuals to join our facilitator team.

TO APPLY:

Please submit a resume and cover letter to info@communityjusticeva.org, or an email or document telling us why your skills and life experience uniquely qualify you for this position.

Please register for an upcoming info session to learn more about the position: https://www.communityjusticeva.org/events

Job Duties

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Collaborate with co-facilitator for in-person, zoom and phone meetings with harmed and responsible individuals, for both court-involved cases referred by the Commonwealth as well as non-criminal cases of harm
• Keep prompt and accurate online case log notes
• Collaborate proactively and promptly with co-facilitators and coordinators over email, zoom and in-person about case strategy and decisions
• Attend monthly 1.5 hour evening staff meetings
• Attend 2-4 professional development trainings per year

Skills Required

NEEDS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• A familiarity with and commitment to the values that are central to CVCJ’s work: upholding human dignity and choice; offering curiosity and listening; providing opportunities for accountability, safety and healing.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate kindly and effectively with the awareness that our participants have likely experienced significant trauma. Previous training or experience with trauma-informed care, active listening, nonviolent communication, or other dialogue techniques is preferred but not required.
• Desire for growth and the ability to give and receive feedback about strengths and areas for improvement.
• Familiarity with Google Drive and Zoom (or willingness to learn).
• CVCJ does not currently have an office. Employees must have access to internet, computer, and private workspace, and be able to check and respond to email and phone messages at least every other day. Meetings occur at local community spaces (such as churches and libraries).
• While we accept applications from persons of all backgrounds and identities, we are in need of rounding out our current facilitators to better reflect and serve our current client population. In particular, our facilitator group needs to expand in the following ways: people of color; bilingual people; people who have had contact with the justice system or harm as either a harmed person or person responsible for the harm; “credible messengers” who have connections with neighborhoods that have high rates of arrests.

Work Schedule

This is an as-needed position dependent on the number of cases we currently have and the pace of each case, both of which are unpredictable. Facilitators commit to spending up to 5 hours a week on a case (though some weeks there might be no work needed). Depending on CVCJ’s needs and facilitator availability, some facilitators may work more than one case at a time.

Additional Info

HIRING PROCESS

• Mutual Discernment Period – CVCJ will offer one or more qualified applicants the opportunity to enter into an unpaid “mutual discernment” period with CVCJ to learn more about RJ and the organization to determine if the job is a good fit. The applicant will be asked to:
  • Attend a discussion group after reading a few short assigned articles and videos about RJ
  • Attend one staff meeting
  • Shadow (observe) a groundwork meeting and conference on an active CVCJ case
• Training Period – If after the mutual discernment period, both CVCJ and the applicant wants to proceed, applicants will be offered the opportunity to attend paid RJ training. Applicants are paid $25/hr for their time during this period.
  • Facilitator trainee will participate in an intensive 2-4 day RJ training by an approved trainer. The cost of the training is paid for by CVCJ.
  • Receive CVCJ onboarding with co-directors.
  • If desired or needed, shadow (observe) one or more full case.
• Mutual discernment and training periods can be customized to account for different skill and experience levels.
• Apprenticeship Period – Upon completion of core RJ training, and sufficient familiarity with the RJ process, facilitators are assigned cases with a co-facilitator who will mentor them. RJ facilitation work is paid at $35/hr.

CVCJ is an equal opportunity employer. We co-create a culture of inclusion for all staff that respects their individual strengths, views, and experiences. We believe that our differences enable us to be a better team. Our commitment to diverse employees who reflect the experiences and identities of those impacted by harm is central to our mission and to our impact. Criminal history is not a barrier to employment. We know that different perspectives help generate better ideas for safety and healing in our community.