Contract Restorative Justice Program Director

Shared Roots Collective — Chicago, IL (Hybrid/On-site)

About Shared Roots Collective

Shared Roots Collective is a community care organization focused on providing holistic support to survivors of sexual harm through transformative justice. We offer a range of services including mediation, community circles, and organizational training and workshops aimed at empowering individuals and fostering supportive environments. Our approach centers on creating safe spaces for survivors to reclaim their narratives and build resilience, while also engaging with the broader community to promote understanding and systemic change. At Shared Roots Collective, we believe in the power of restorative and transformative practices to build resilient lives and communities. We are committed to leading the way in empathetic and impactful support.

Shared Roots Collective values diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences, particularly those traditionally underrepresented in restorative and transformative justice roles.

About the Role

We are seeking a seasoned Contract Restorative Justice Program Director to create and lead restorative and transformative justice programming specifically focused on sexual harm. This is a unique opportunity to design and build a program from the ground up — shaping service delivery, fostering partnerships, and providing strategic leadership in a highly collaborative environment. This role involves direct facilitation of restorative processes in complex cases, strategic program oversight, community engagement, and representing Shared Roots in institutional and community spaces. 

We are hiring for this role on a contractual basis with the intention to expand it into a full-time position. Shared Roots Collective currently consists of just the founding directors, so this position does not include supervisory responsibilities at this time. However, it offers significant opportunities to shape, innovate, and grow the program collaboratively alongside the directors.

Key Responsibilities

Program Oversight & Strategic Leadership

• Provide leadership and guidance for restorative and transformative justice programming related to sexual harm.
• Collaborate with organizational leadership to develop, refine, and implement culturally responsive, trauma-informed, survivor-centered program models.
• Represent Shared Roots Collective in external training, partnerships, and public events.

Direct Service & Case Facilitation

• Facilitate restorative justice processes, including support circles, mediated dialogues, and cases related to sexual harm.
• Manage or oversee participant intake, assessment, and preparation.
• Coordinate with external supports such as legal, therapeutic, and community resources.
• Maintain ethical standards of confidentiality, safety, and voluntary participation throughout service delivery.

Community Outreach & Partnership Building

• Conduct outreach to identify and engage clients, referral sources, and strategic community partners.
• Build and nurture relationships with community members, institutions, and systems actors to promote restorative justice work.

Documentation, Evaluation & Reporting

• Track program outcomes, collect participant feedback, and continuously refine service offerings.
• Maintain accurate and confidential records in line with organizational policies.
• Support evaluation processes and reporting as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Restorative Justice, Conflict Resolution, or related field; Master’s degree or equivalent lived/professional experience preferred.
• Minimum 3–5 years experience facilitating restorative or transformative justice processes, ideally focused on sexual harm, gender-based violence, or interpersonal harm.
• Proven leadership experience coordinating programs or teams in community, justice, or non-profit settings.
• Deep understanding of trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, and transformative justice practices, especially across intersections of identity, power, and privilege (BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ experience preferred).
• Skilled in facilitating sensitive, high-stakes dialogues with empathy, neutrality, and care.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills.
• Self-starter with initiative, flexibility, and ability to co-create emergent processes in a dynamic environment.
• Based in the Chicagoland area with availability for in-person engagement.

Work Environment & Organizational Culture

Shared Roots Collective maintains a collaborative, supportive, and growth-oriented work environment. We prioritize transparency, accountability, creativity, and compassion, cultivating an organizational culture of self-care, collective care, and continuous learning.

Accessibility and Accommodation

Shared Roots Collective is committed to providing accommodations during the hiring process. Applicants requiring accommodations at any stage are encouraged to contact us directly.

Contract Terms and Benefits

• Estimated 20–25 hours per week
• Compensation range: $75-110/hour, commensurate with experience
• This is a 1099 independent contractor role
• Flexible schedule with a hybrid mix of remote and in-person activities
• Access to Professional Development
• A laptop will be provided for professional use 

How to Apply

Please fill out the short form below and attach a resume and a cover letter outlining your restorative justice experience and leadership philosophy or email us at [email protected]. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.