Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County
Friends Outside Program
Restorative Justice Specialist
Overview
Making a difference and connecting for good are the core values of our organization! Our staff enjoy their work knowing that the work they do helps to change lives in our community. We practice Work Life balance to empower our staff to be the best.
Join our team as a Restorative Justice Specialist in our dynamic, mission and values driven agency that engages 20,000 local people a year to connect for good in our community. Our values are quality, equity and engagement for our staff, our volunteers, our donors and our community.
Under the supervision of the Senior Program Manager, the Bilingual Restorative Justice Specialist will provide multiple services prior to release and post-release for individuals and families involved in the criminal justice system. The mission of Friends Outside is to restore justice for those impacted by incarceration through providing hope and resources to support change during each stage of the reentry process. This position is responsible for facilitating cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) workbooks in a correctional facility and community-based setting, and meeting with clients individually to help with successful community re-entry.
Functions and Duties:
Group Facilitation
Designs and delivers group courses both in correctional and community-based settings, utilizing evidence-based curriculum addressing criminal thinking, behavior and identity.
- Facilitates program curriculum to fidelity in a manner that is consistent with cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and motivational interviewing (MI) models.
- Under the leadership of the Program Manager, works with the Probation Department, the Sheriff Department and other community partners to recruit and enroll participants.
- Plans course sessions in accordance with program manuals and ensures the necessary facilities, equipment and materials are available for each session.
- Maintains accurate attendance records and conducts pre/post-test evaluation activities to measure and improve program effectiveness.
Re-Entry Case Management
- Works with clients post release to assess needs for successful reentry back into the community including; housing navigation, continuing education enrollment, job readiness skills, substance use education and independent living support.
- Provides outreach and access to individuals in the community who require reentry services.
- Manages a caseload of clients to effectively engage and support clients in achieving reentry goals.
Program Administration
- Maintains confidential client case files and program records in accordance with established policies and procedures.
- Prepares and submits accurate weekly, monthly and quarterly reports as required by the Volunteer Center and Funders.
- Under the direction of the Program Manager, monitors program funds in line with approved program budget and allowable expenses.
- Works with the team to develop and update program materials including training manuals, resource guides, brochures, and client/volunteer forms.
- As directed by the Program Manager, coordinates and supports volunteers placed in the Friends Outside program.
Community Outreach
- Helps to plan and promote Volunteer Center and Friends Outside events and volunteer trainings.
- Attends community events or other activities on behalf of Friends Outside in order to recruit volunteers and promote program services.
- Researches new partnership and fundraising opportunities to further support our clients and volunteers.
- Provides consistent outreach to caseload, community members and partners to enhance access and engagement in services.
Other Responsibilities
- Assists with special projects including direct supervision and coordination of volunteers when needed.
- Attends the Advisory Board and mandatory Volunteer Center and Friends Outside meetings and/or trainings.
- Responds promptly to emails/voicemails, answers phone and interacts with walk-in inquiries.
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- Associates Degree and six months of experience and/or two years of relevant work experience.
- Bilingual English/Spanish Preferred
- Motivational Interviewing
- Substance Use Disorder
- EBP Manualized Curricula
- Group Facilitation
- Must be able to pass and maintain jail clearance.
- Must have a valid California driver’s license and reliable transportation.
- Ability to work some evenings shifts.
- Basic computer skills including, competence with word processing, knowledge of Microsoft Excel, FileMaker Pro and other databases, and experience with MAC computers.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, community agencies and businesses.
- Excellent written abilities and strong organizational skills.
Conditions of Employment
The Volunteer Center, as part of our Work/Life Balance commitment, defines full time as 36 hours per week. The Restorative Justice Specialist is a full-time position budgeted at 36 hours. Starting hourly pay for a Specialist is $21.51 – $25.55 per hour depending on experience, with regularly scheduled wage increases. The position is supervised by the Senior Program Manager of Friends Outside.
The VC offers a robust benefits package valued at over $8,000.00 annually. This package includes Medical, Dental, Vision and Chiropractic insurance. In addition, we offer a 401(K) plan with company match, a Flexible Spending Account, Dependent Care Reimbursement Program, Employee Assistance Program and a half hour paid lunch. We define a full-time work schedule as 36 hours per week to value a healthy work/life balance of our team. We have mileage reimbursement for work travel and accommodate flexible scheduling for our staff when possible. You will also receive 12 days of vacation for the first year of employment, 10 paid holidays, 6 floating holidays, as well as 12 days of sick time accrued each year!
Equal Employment opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer
The Volunteer Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer that embraces diversity, equity and inclusion and we encourage applications from people of all race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, physical ability, health, family status, gender, sexual preference, age, veteran status who meet the qualifications listed for this position. We practice affirmative action to create and sustain a diverse and representative workforce that reflects our community.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $21.51 - $25.55 per hour
Expected hours: 36 per week
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible schedule
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
- 4 hour shift
- 8 hour shift
- Day shift
- Evenings as needed
- Monday to Friday
Education:
- High school or equivalent (Required)
Experience:
- criminal justice: 1 year (Preferred)
- counseling and/or case management: 1 year (Preferred)
Language:
- Bilingual English/Spanish (Preferred)
License/Certification:
- Driver's License (Required)
Work Location: In person