Restorative Specialist

Primary Purpose:


The Restorative Specialist leads the implementation of restorative practices and social-emotional learning initiatives designed to build positive school culture, strengthen relationships, and reduce exclusionary discipline practices. The specialist works collaboratively with students, staff, families, and community partners to promote accountability, empathy, conflict resolution, and student success through restorative approaches.


This position supports the development of a safe, inclusive, and relationship-centered learning environment by facilitating restorative circles, mediations, behavioral interventions, and professional development for staff.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Experience in social work programming, youth development, or community-based programs.
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, preferred
• College coursework in education/ youth issues,social work, preferred
• Demonstrated proficiency in Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Forms, Slides) and Canva
• Strong organizational and communication skills
• Candidate must have a satisfactory outcome of a fingerprinting background check. Non-refundable fee of approximately $50.00 paid by the employee

Education/Certification:


Bachelor's degree in Education, Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, Human Services, Criminal Justice, or related field required.


Required Experience:

• Experience working with school-based personnel, community groups, and youth groups.
• Experience working in K-12 education, afterschool programs, or youth development.
• Experience coordinating programs.
• Experience creating restorative, instructional or enrichment materials.
• Experience facilitating or supporting professional development (preferred).

Knowledge/Skills:

• Demonstrated ability to effectively work with others and provide leadership to youth and adults.
• Knowledge of restorative processes, restorative circles and best practices for adolescent development and engagement strategies.
• Ability to design and evaluate restorative programming.
• Ability to create flyers, digital communications, and social media content.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.
• Strong organizational/clerical skills.
• Strong communication skills.
• Strong data reporting and management.
• Strong collaborative skills.
• Effective detail-orientation.
• Exemplary event/program management skills.
• Flexibility/problem solving.
• People oriented

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

• Develop, coordinate, and implement a comprehensive campus restorative practices program aligned with district goals and student support initiatives.
• Lead school-wide restorative practices including community-building circles, restorative conferences, mediations, and re-entry meetings.
• Promote a proactive culture focused on relationship-building, accountability, belonging, and student voice.
• Support campus efforts to reduce suspensions, improve attendance, and strengthen campus climate.
• Serve as a trained facilitator for restorative circles, peer mediations, and conflict resolution processes.
• Guide participants through structured dialogue focused on accountability, healing, and restoring relationships.
• Support reintegration meetings for students returning from disciplinary placements or extended absences.
• Assist with de-escalation and crisis response when appropriate.
• All other duties as assigned by the Principal or Designee

Professionalism:

Program Coordination and Support

• Conduct weekly observations to evaluate program quality and provide feedback and support
• Develop systems and structures to ensure safe, organized, and engaging restorative program environments
• Collaborate with campus staff to ensure alignment with district expectations
• Applies positive youth development practices (belonging, leadership, SEL, restorative and trauma-informed approaches).

Enrichment and Academic Support

• Review and develop restorative program aides and support staff
• Support implementation of research based restorative practices such as social contracts, restorative circles, conflict resolution, and problem solving
• Ensure programming supports student growth, responsibility, and respect
• Assist the campus in developing and delivering curricula and other resources (such as speakers/trainers and supplies).

Student Growth and Development

• Collect, monitor, and analyze campus data related to discipline referrals, attendance, restorative interventions, and campus climate.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation of restorative practices implementation and student interventions.
• Provide reports and recommendations to campus administration regarding program effectiveness and student support needs.
• Assist with campus improvement planning related to student behavior, school climate, and equity initiatives.

Events & Programming

• Assist in planning and executing campus and district-wide events
• Support coordination of special programs, showcases, and student experiences
• Be available to work flexible hours to accommodate evening and weekend activities

Communications & Marketing

• Create flyers and digital communications for afterschool programs
• Develop and manage social media content to highlight program success

Organization Improvement

• Provide ongoing coaching and professional development for teachers, administrators, and staff regarding restorative practices, de-escalation strategies, and relationship-centered behavior management.
• Model effective restorative practices within classrooms and campus settings.
• Collaborate with campus leadership teams to embed restorative practices into daily campus operations and student discipline systems.
• Assist teachers with classroom community-building strategies and restorative responses to student behavior.

Communication and Community Relations

• Build positive relationships with students, families, and community organizations to strengthen support systems for students.
• Establish and maintain open communications with parents, students, principals, teachers, and support staff by conducting conferences.
• Serve as a liaison between school personnel, families, and external agencies when appropriate.
• Facilitate family conferences and support parent engagement in restorative processes.
• Collaborate with the campus staff to plan and execute campus and district-wide family activities
• Be a positive role model for students, support the mission of the district.
• Maintain a professional relationship with colleagues, students, parents, and community members.
• Use effective communication skills to present information accurately and clearly.

Professional Growth and Development


The restorative specialist participates in professional growth and development through activities such as the following:

• Participate in national and state level organizations to stay abreast of latest research and best practices.
• Attend professional development opportunities related to restorative practices and trauma informed approaches
• Read, synthesize, and disseminate research and information related to best practices from books, journals, listservs, websites, and other media formats.
• Attend meetings and participate in staff development activities to improve job-related skills.

Qualities of Effective Restorative Specialist:


The restorative specialist exhibits qualities such as the following:

• Student-centered mindset with a passion for restorative practices and trauma informed approaches
• Creative, flexible, and proactive approach to program development
• Commitment to equity and access for all students
• Daily attendance and punctuality at work are essential functions of the job.
• Complies with District policies, as well as state and federal laws and regulations.
• Complies with the standards of conduct set out in Board Policy DH (Legal) and (Local) and with any other policies, regulations, and guidelines that impose duties, requirements, and standards.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Provides coaching, monitoring, and performance feedback in coordination with the campus Principal or Designee.
• Collaborate with the campus Principal or Designee on staffing, program evaluation, and continuous improvement efforts

• Provide coaching and feedback to program aides
• Supervise assigned program aide(s), and volunteer(s) as assigned.
• Plan and assign work to program aide(s) and volunteer(s) and oversee completion.

Equipment:

• Personal computer, printer, calculator, telephone, copier, fax machine, shredder, and other equipment associated with the position.
• Work is performed in a standard classroom environment.
• The incumbent has the ability to use a defibrillator.

Working Conditions:

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors

• Work with frequent interruptions and maintain emotional control under stress.
• Position may require periods of sitting at the computer and standing at the copier.
• Some lifting of boxes is required.
• Use of a vehicle is necessary to run errands and pick up supplies as necessary.
• Maintain emotional control under stress.
• Work irregular hours and extended work hours to include holidays and weekends.
• Frequent walking, standing, stooping, bending, pulling and pushing, lifting, and carrying (may lift and move textbooks and classroom equipment).
• May be required under specific circumstances to provide physical restraint of students in danger of causing harm to themselves or others.
• Occasional district wide and statewide travel.
• Use a computer for prolonged periods resulting in repetitive hand motion.
• Frequent exposure to: temperature extremes (hot and cold), humidity extremes, noise, low or intense illumination vibration.
• Occasional exposure to: biological hazards (communicable diseases, bacteria, etc.), work outside, work around moving objects or vehicles, work on uneven surfaces.

The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.