Kids First Law Center
Job Description: Youth Peace Project Facilitator/Mediator
Kids First Law Center seeks full-time Youth Peace Project facilitators to help students resolve conflicts in Cedar Rapids Community School District middle schools. The position tracks CRCSD’s calendar.
Kids First is a nonprofit, child-focused conflict resolution center. Peace facilitators help youth resolve conflict with their peers through an innovative restorative justice program. Restorative justice is an approach to repairing harm by restoring relationships.
Kids First is a welcoming and inclusive workplace. Kids First strives to create a positive experience for all people regardless of their race, color, income, age, appearance, disability, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, nationality, social or ethnic origin, religion, or creed.
POSITION SUMMARY
Kids First’s team of Youth Peace Project facilitators provide restorative justice services in the school setting. Facilitators lead individual and group circles (mediation) for students and school staff. They help improve students’ social skills, prevent conflict from escalating, and reduce suspensions to keep students in class.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
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Meet with students individually following a conflict to understand their perspective, provide social-emotional skill coaching, and invite participation in a circle
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Facilitate restorative circles between students or between students and staff to resolve conflict
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Lead re-entry circles following a suspension for students, school staff, and administration
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Provide timely written documentation of mediated agreements to school administration or staff
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Build and maintain positive relationships and trust with school administration, engagement specialists, teachers, and other staff and students
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Observe classrooms at the invitation of teachers to improve implementation of restorative practices
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Participate in school meetings to suggest restorative approaches to disruptive behavior
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Facilitate proactive and restorative classroom circles
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Collaborate with other Kids First peace facilitators
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Compile data following each circle and submit monthly to program director
QUALIFICATIONS
Kids First welcomes all applicants. The following are preferred:
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Bachelor’s degree
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Experience working with youth, especially youth from marginalized populations
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Experience in the school setting
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Experience with mediation or restorative practices
CORE COMPETENCIES
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Relationship builder, skilled at developing a positive and professional working relationship with students and school staff while maintaining neutrality
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Ability to work constructively in high-conflict situations and reframe conflict to empower students to resolve issues
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Shows courage and initiative
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Finds kids delightful
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Empathy, patience and creativity
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Ability to approach difficult conversations with diplomacy and kindness
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Solution-oriented
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Ability to work independently and with limited supervision to accomplish daily outcomes
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Excellent oral and written communication skills
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Computer literacy and data collection experience
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Strong organizational and time-management skills
SALARY & BENEFITS
Kids First has a committed team environment with an egalitarian pay scale where all employees are paid the same wage. The work schedule is based on the school calendar with an annual salary of $58,472.31. Youth Peace Project facilitators have the summer and school breaks off. Benefits include PTO, IRA contributions, and long-term disability insurance. Health insurance is available with 80% of employee premiums paid by Kids First. Dental and vision insurance plans are available with premiums paid by the employee.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Applicants should send a cover letter, resume, and three references to Cheri Mase-Reider, Director of Operations, by email at cheri@kidsfirstiowa.org.