Facilitator, Restorative Circles

THE ORGANIZATION

The Center for Justice Innovation (formerly the Center for Court Innovation) is a non-profit organization that works with communities and justice systems to advance equity, increase safety, and help individuals and communities thrive. The Center's goal is to identify and resolve as early as possible the challenges that bring people into the criminal and civil legal systems. It does this in a number of ways—by developing and running programs that reduce the need for incarceration and enhance economic opportunity, conducting original research to identify what works, and sharing what we learn from our programming and research with those seeking to transform the justice system around the world.

The Center is an 800-employee, $100 million nonprofit that accomplishes its vision through three pillars of work: creating and scaling operating programs to test new ideas and solve problems, performing original research to determine what works (and what doesn’t), and providing expert assistance and policy guidance to justice reformers around the world.

Operating Programs

The Center’s operating programs, including the award-winning Red Hook Community Justice Center and Midtown Community Court, test new ideas, solve difficult problems, and attempt to achieve systemic change within the justice system. Our projects include community-based violence prevention programs, alternatives to incarceration, reentry initiatives, and court-based initiatives that reduce the use of unnecessary incarceration and promote positive individual and family change. Through this programming, we have produced tangible results like safer streets, reduced incarceration, and improved neighborhood perceptions of justice.

Research

The Center's research teams are staffed with social scientists, data analysts, and lawyers who are academically-trained or have lived experience and who conduct research in the U.S. and globally on diverse criminal-legal system and justice issues. Their work includes evaluating programs and policies; conducting exploratory, community-based studies; and providing research translation and strategic planning for system actors. The Center has published studies on topics including court and jail reform, intimate partner violence, restorative justice, gun violence, reentry, sixth amendment rights, and progressive prosecution. The research teams strive to make their work meaningful and actionable to the communities they work with, policymakers, and practitioners.

Policy & Expert Assistance

The Center provides hands-on, planning and implementation assistance to a wide range of jurisdictions in areas of reform such as problem-solving courts (e.g., community courts, treatment courts, domestic violence courts), tribal justice, reducing incarceration and the use of fines/fees and reducing crime and violence. Our current expert assistance takes many forms, including help with analyzing data, strategic planning and consultation, policy guidance, and hosting site visits to its operating programs in the New York City area. 

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Center for Justice Innovations Upstate Syracuse New York Office is seeking a Restorative Circle Facilitator for its Restorative Justice Program of the Syracuse Peacemaking Project. Reporting to the Restorative Justice Coordinator, the Restorative Circle Facilitator will be responsible for running a variety of restorative circles designed to build community, offer support, or respond to harm. The Center for Justice Innovation has developed several initiatives centering restorative justice philosophy, providing opportunities for healing, relationship building and repair, and genuine expressions of accountability in lieu of isolation and punishment. These initiatives utilize “restorative circles”, a unique form of communication inspired by indigenous justice and community building practices. One such initiative, Southside Expansion, brings together youth and families in conflict, along with volunteers from the community, to discuss the impact of conflict, the underlying circumstances and impact of a specific incident or offense, and how to make amends, move forward, and avoid future conflict. By involving community members in the local administration of justice, restorative circles aim to give voice to community concerns, build new social connections, and restore confidence in the justice system.

The facilitator will take a lead role in facilitating community building circles, conducting outreach to potential participants, and building relationships with community members and local organizations. In addition, the Facilitator will support the Restorative Justice Coordinator in the development and facilitation of a restorative justice process for cases involving interpersonal harm between individuals, and support the development of the site’s growing restorative justice offerings.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Direct Service and Facilitation:

• Facilitate community building and restorative circles with program participants, community volunteers, community stakeholders, and staff;
• Support the Restorative Justice Coordinator and other restorative justice staff in facilitating a restorative justice process for cases involving interpersonal harm;
• Collaborate with and support restorative programming at other Center for Justice Innovation sites;
• Engage in outreach, scheduling, and intake interviews of program participants, community volunteers, and other necessary parties;
• Participate in preparatory sessions with program participants to prepare them for a restorative process;
• Provide participants with documentation of program completion, exit materials, and other relevant resources;
• Collaborate with community partners including the Syracuse City School District, Hillbrook Detention Center, the Center for Community Alternatives, community healing and wellness partners, the Office of Children and Family Services, and other stakeholders;
• Participate in community events, including occasional evenings and weekends as needed.

Program Development and Planning:

• Develop new circle curriculums and assist with other program development activities, including the creation of new program materials and trainings, and updating protocols and materials based on staff and participant feedback;
• Participate in the outreach and recruitment of community volunteers for circles for restorative justice-based programming through community meetings/events and other means of promoting the program (including some nights);
• Assist in the development, facilitation, and logistics of the training program for new community volunteers;
• Assist the Restorative Justice Coordinator with the design and creation of new restorative justice diversion programming for cases involving interpersonal harm, including a variety of start-up activities such as assisting with the creation of program materials, protocols, and resources;
• Assist with staff training and program oversight, as needed;
• Participate in strategic planning and implementation efforts to address systemic issues impacting program participants;
• Attend ongoing training in restorative justice and circle practice provided by the program;

Administrative:

• Participate in administrative responsibilities, such as processing referrals, conducting intake assessments, meeting with potential participants, tracking outreach efforts and program compliance, and progress notes;
• Communicate with referral sources and community partners to ensure appropriate case outcomes for program participants;
• Assist in data collection, project evaluation, and grant reporting to various funding sources;
• Maintain appropriate client information and volunteer management in electronic database;
• Additional relevant tasks, as needed.

Qualifications: The ideal candidate should be an energetic problem-solver and creative thinker. Candidates must have a strong skill set in facilitating and leading groups, and have knowledge of restorative justice and commitment to social justice. Strong writing and organizational skills are strongly preferred.  The ideal candidate will also possess a positive attitude toward people whose opinions, cultural traditions, and religious beliefs are different from their own. Other qualifications include: 

• Bachelor’s degree or three years of relevant lived, educational, and/or professional experience;
• Experience and passion for group facilitation and group-based work required;
• Previous experience facilitating restorative justice-based programming, and/or a familiarity with principles of restorative justice strongly preferred;
• Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds in a culturally competent manner;
• Comfort working with adolescents and adults;
• Knowledge of community-based resources throughout Onondaga County, preferred;
• A self-starter who can successfully be part of a diverse workforce and get things done in a fast-paced environment, and;
• Willingness to work collaboratively with a variety of stakeholders and community partner agencies.

The ideal candidate should be willing to express vulnerability and share stories from their own lived experience as part of group facilitation. The candidate should be a deep listener and skilled communicator who easily connects with people and views conflict as an opportunity for transformation. Candidate must have a collaborative working style as well as flexibility and openness to working in a variety of people in a multifaceted role. Position requires a willingness and ability to work with a variety of different stakeholders and members of the community including residents, and stakeholders. Candidate must be able to work with people from diverse backgrounds and identities, and demonstrate a commitment to an anti-racist, anti-oppressive, and social justice-centered practice.

Additional preferred qualifications include:

• Previous knowledge of and experience with restorative or transformative justice practices strongly preferred;
• Experience working with individuals impacted by violence or trauma, and;
• People who have been impacted by interpersonal violence or harm are encouraged to apply.

Position Type: Full-time; flexible schedule with potential for evening and weekend hours with advanced planning.

Position Location: Syracuse, NY

Compensation: The compensation range for this position is $27.48 - $35.98 annually based on a 35-hour work week and is commensurate with experience. The Center for Justice Innovation offers an excellent benefits package including comprehensive healthcare with a national network, free basic dental coverage, vision insurance, short-term and long-term disability, life insurance, and flexible spending accounts including commuter FSA. We prioritize mental health care for our staff and offer services like Talkspace and Ginger through our healthcare plans. We offer a 403(b) retirement plan with a two-to-one employer contribution up to 5%.

The Center for Justice Innovation is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace, and as such, we do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, national origin, age, military service eligibility, veteran status, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, or any other category protected by law. We strongly encourage and welcome applications from women, people of color, members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities, as well as individuals with prior contact with the criminal justice system. Our aim is to create a supportive and respectful environment where every individual, irrespective of their background or identity, feels valued and included.

As of February 10, 2023, New York City Executive Order 25 rescinded the requirement of the COVID-19 vaccination for City workers, new hires, and contracted employees. Accordingly, the Center does not require all new hires be vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus; however, the Center recommends all staff, interns, and volunteers stay up-to-date on the vaccination.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete an employment eligibility verification document form upon hire. Kindly refer to the job posting for the relevant contact information. If the contact details are not provided, we kindly ask that you refrain from making inquiries via phone or email, as only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

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