Restorative Practices Coach

Alternatives, Inc.; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Alternatives, Inc. is seeking a Restorative Justice trainer and project coach to support schools in implementing restorative practices throughout the academic year.

You will lead professional development, assess current structures, and build capacity among staff, students, and community stakeholders. The role emphasizes collaboration, accountability, and ongoing improvement.

Qualifications

• Experience in using and coaching others on restorative mindsets, restorative language, talking circles, restorative conversations, peace circles, and peer conference.
• Experience working in schools or related social service fields.
• Knowledge of adult learning principles and ability to deliver engaging staff development.
• Ability to assess school structures with a restorative lens and coach teams to improve.

Responsibilities

• Build restorative mindsets and capacity for staff, students, and community stakeholders.
• Facilitate professional development and workshops.
• Consult school leadership on restorative practices implementation.
• Develop project plans and provide weekly updates to administration and coordinator.
• Represent Alternatives at forums and events as assigned.
• Participate in fundraising initiatives.

Skills

Restorative Practices

Adult learning

Training delivery

Project coaching

Communication

Tools

Google Drive

Microsoft Office

Video conferencing

Job description

Description

Position Overview:

Our Restorative Justice (RJ) programs provide direct support, training, leadership development, and capacity-building to schools and organizations that seek to become restorative. This position provides training, assessment and coaching projects designed to build capacity for Restorative Justice at assigned schools throughout the school year.

Responsibilities:

• Build restorative mindsets and capacity for school staff, students, and community stakeholders, to implement Restorative Practices.
• Facilitate various forms of professional development:
• Thought-partnering, collaborative reflection, and planning
• Modeling, co-facilitating, and observing Restorative Practices implementation
• Small-group and whole-staff training and workshops
• Consultation to school leadership and school teams on the development and implementation of systems and structures for Restorative Practices
• Create project plans and update them weekly. Send weekly update to school admin, district and your coordinator.
• Facilitate Alternatives’ RJ trainings for Chicago Public Schools, other agencies and Alternatives staff as assigned.
• Represent Alternatives’ at relevant forums and events as assigned.
• Participate in agency fundraising initiatives.
• Participate in relevant staff and team meetings, including weekly supervision with RJ Supervisor.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Conduct diagnostic assessments and create final report for each project including recommendations for growth
• Actively participate in all applicable staff and team meetings, professional development trainings and supervision meetings.
• Represent Alternatives at relevant forums and events as assigned.
• Participate in Alternatives’ fundraising initiatives.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

1. Experience in using and coaching others on restorative mindsets, restorative language, talking circles, restorative conversations, peace circles, and peer conference
2. Experience working in schools (a background in social service, student support, or community organizing also considered)
3. Knowledge of adult learning principles and ability to deliver engaging and clear staff professional development
4. Ability to assess existing school structures and policies with a restorative lens and coach school teams in areas needing improvement
5. Ability to develop respectful professional relationships, build trust in a limited time, and engage and inform school leaders, staff and students around Restorative Practices
6. Ability to handle multiple projects and responsibilities and work in multiple school buildings or online
7. Ability to efficiently and strategically build school capacity within the constraints of limited resources
8. Cultural competency and ability to navigate and promote sensitivity to issues of race and equity
9. Competency with Google Drive and Microsoft Office and video conferencing tools
10. Professionalism in the areas of punctuality, documentation, organization, and phone/email responsiveness
11. Meticulous attention to detail and meeting deadlines
12. Consistently learning and working within the following frameworks: Anti-oppression, Positive Youth Development, Trauma-informed and Balanced and Restorative Justice.
13. Skilled at working with young people at high risk for juvenile justice and child welfare system involvement
14. The COVID vaccine is mandatory for all employees to the full extent permissible under applicable law