Youth Essential Coordinator Reflections

Reap-Inc; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Reap-Inc’s Reflections program in the Portland area places a Youth Essential Coordinator in schools to provide restorative interventions, support student engagement, and reduce disciplinary exclusions through Elevate, Mindful Moments, and Restorative Circles.

You will collaborate with teachers, counselors, and families, manage a caseload, document outcomes, and help students build social-emotional skills while promoting inclusive school communities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Psychology, Social Work, or related field.
• Minimum 2 years proven experience working with youth in behavioral or disciplinary support.
• Knowledge of restorative justice, social-emotional learning, and conflict resolution.
• Ability to engage diverse youth and families and to advocate for student needs.
• Proven ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary school teams.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct support to students referred to Reflections programming with restorative interventions (Elevate, Mindful Moments, Restorative Circles).
• Manage a caseload of students with disciplinary and behavioral needs.
• Offer individual and group support emphasizing social-emotional skills and resilience.
• De-escalate conflicts and act as mediator in escalated situations.
• Collaborate with staff to develop individualized support plans and coordinate with external resources.

Skills

Restorative justice

De-escalation

Conflict resolution

Student advocacy

Social-emotional learning

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Education

Bachelor’s degree in Psychology

Bachelor’s degree in Social Work

Traditional Health Worker credentials preferred

Job description

Under the umbrella of the Behavioral Health Program, Reflections serves as one of REAP’s core programs as a proactive, student-centered approach to supporting students identified as having behavioral and disciplinary challenges. By using targeted interventions grounded in restorative justice and social-emotional skill building, Reflections holistically addresses the strengths, challenges, and experiences of students struggling with behavior and engagement, while also opening opportunities for leadership and active participation within their school communities.The Reflections Youth Essential Coordinator (YEC) is a critical role responsible for facilitating Reflections programming at assigned public schools in the Portland Metropolitan area. This position involves providing student-level interventions that are alternative to exclusionary discipline and working closely with staff, administrators, and other stakeholders to ensure that students and school communities have the resources necessary to succeed academically and socially.Essential FunctionsReasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.Duties and responsibilities emphasized in the Reflections Program:Provide direct support to students referred to Reflections programming by school admin through the administration of Reflections interventions: Elevate, Mindful Moments, and Restorative Circles.Manage a caseload of students referred for disciplinary and behavioral needs.Provide individual and group support to students through a restorative justice lens, focusing on behavioral management, social-emotional skill building and emotional resilience.Exercise conflict resolution and de-escalation with students struggling with emotional dysregulation and peer-to-peer conflict, acting as a mediator and point of contact for escalated situations.Additional Program Specific Requirements:Support and hold students accountable to social and academic goals, creating incentives and leadership opportunities that foster growth and personal development throughout their involvement in the Reflections program.Support and empower students by teaching self-advocacy skills, emotional awareness, and confidence building.Provide academic support for students struggling with classroom engagement through the form of classroom push-ins and work space.Collaborate with school staff, counselors, and other wraparound professionals to create, contribute to, and execute individualized support plans and provide student advocacy.Participate in school staff and community partner meetings to establish program presence, progress, and foster opportunities for care coordination and student support.Engage with parents and guardians by communicating disciplinary processes, discussing student behavior, providing updates on intervention plans, and collaborating on strategies for support at home.Connect and refer students to external resources including behavioral health services provided by the REAP Behavioral Health Program (BHP).Prepare reports on behavioral trends, intervention outcomes, and recommendations for future supports.Help evaluate school discipline policies from an equity lens to create solutions and foster behavior norms that contribute to a positive school culture and support the diverse needs of students and school community.Evaluate the effectiveness of activities and interventions per the existing Reflections curriculum, working with other program staff to continuously determine best practices and improve service delivery.Core CompetenciesAbility to develop and implement effective behavioral and emotional support strategies while using a strengths-based approach.Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build positive relationships with students, families, and school staff.Strong facilitation skills and ability to manage group dynamics, address conflict, and foster an inclusive environment.Proven ability to work collaboratively with diverse, multidisciplinary teams and advocate for student needs.Flexibility and adaptability to respond to the evolving needs of students and the program.Emphasis on setting clear social emotional boundaries with staff and students.Strong organizational skills with the capability to manage multiple tasks, projects, and deadlines effectively.Supervisory ResponsibilityThis position does not manage a team.Work EnvironmentThis position operates primarily within a typical office and/or school setting, involving desk work, computer use, in-person and phone communication, note-taking, and the use of standard office equipment (e.g., computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets). The role requires the ability to navigate and perform effectively in emotionally and physically challenging environments while working with students, staff, and families. Flexibility and adaptability to changing tasks and settings are essential. The position involves frequent interaction in both indoor and outdoor community environments, which may include walking, standing, and engaging in conversations in potentially loud or crowded spaces.Physical DemandsThe physical demands described here represent those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this role. Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Regular duties include talking, hearing, and general mobility within school and office environments. While largely a sedentary role, occasional filing is required, along with participation in field trips or external events, which may necessitate physical activity. This role occasionally requires lifting office supplies or files (up to 25 pounds), and tasks such as opening filing cabinets and bending or standing.Position Type/Expected Hours of WorkThis is a full-time, Monday–Friday position, located onsite at a REAP-designated school and/or the REAP corporate headquarters, as assigned by your supervisor. The position also requires occasional availability for evening and weekend events. The main office is located at 10808 NE Halsey St., Portland, OR 97220.TravelNo regular travel is anticipated outside of the assigned school site and REAP headquarters. Occasional travel may be required for trainings or other organization-related needs, as directed.Education/Requirements:Bachelor’s degree in Education, Psychology, Social Work, or a related field.At least 2 years proven experience working with youth, particularly in a behavioral or disciplinary support setting.Experience de-escalating challenging behaviors and utilizing intervention strategies to support youth with diverse needs.Knowledge of restorative justice and restorative justice practices, social-emotional learning, conflict resolution, and effective intervention strategies.Ability to assess and respond to the diverse needs of students, including those from varying cultural and socio-economic backgrounds.Ability to develop and implement effective behavioral and emotional support strategies while using a strengths-based approach.Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build positive relationships with students, families, and school staff.Strong facilitation skills and ability to manage group dynamics, address conflict, and foster an inclusive environment.Proven ability to work collaboratively with diverse, multidisciplinary teams and advocate for student needs.Flexibility and adaptability to respond to the evolving needs of students and the program.Emphasis on setting clear social emotional boundaries with staff and students.Strong organizational skills with the capability to manage multiple tasks, projects, and deadlines effectively.Traditional Health Worker credentials are preferred. This can include Peer Navigator, Peer Support Specialist, Peer Wellness Specialist, or Youth Support Specialist.Preferred but Not RequiredWorking knowledge of networking and fundraising skills.Strong project management skills.Prior experience with documentation for case management and grant related purposes.Bilingual capabilities.