Job Description Summary & Additional Information

Job Description Summary

Organization's Summary Statement:

The Department of Resident Life serves a highly diverse population of approximately 12,500 undergraduate students living in traditional residence halls, apartments, and suites including some public/private partnership apartment communities. About 46% of all resident students are enrolled in twelve living-learning programs covering a wide array of academic areas. Resident Life employs a diverse workforce of 88 full-time and graduate staff members and about 600 undergraduate student staff members. The Department values respectful, equitable, and inclusive practices and actively seeks candidates who can represent and serve the diversity of persons who live and work in the University of Maryland’s residence halls. The University of Maryland campus is located in the greater Washington, DC metro area just eight miles from downtown DC and 30 miles from Baltimore, MD. Additional information about the Department of Resident Life is available at www.reslife.umd.edu. 

General Description of Duties 

The Graduate Assistant, under the supervision of the Assistant Director for Restorative Practices, fosters and implements restorative philosophy throughout the Department of Resident Life and beyond, as well as provides administrative support for Restorative Practices. This graduate staff member will design and facilitate restorative circles, co-lead restorative trainings, conduct consultation meetings with colleagues, 

and more. The Graduate Coordinator will also supervise student staff. Specific skills sought in a candidate include: a commitment to restorative values including connectedness, respect, accountability, healing, peace, equity, authenticity, and inclusion; dedication to holistic well-being and development; superior oral and written communication including active listening; strong facilitation skills; self-motivation; exceptional administrative and organizational skills; and collaboration skills. Experience in restorative practices, restorative justice, facilitation, or dialogue strongly preferred. 

Specific Duties 

● Facilitate community-building, restorative circles, including with Resident Life student staff.

● Assist with education and outreach about restorative practices, including hosting tabling & programming events, developing outreach materials, and more. 

● Support the creation and implementation of our RP roadmap, which will guide the implementation of restorative philosophy into the Department of Resident Life over the next three years. 

● Serve as an active and engaged member of the department’s Restorative Practices committee.

● Draft and send pertinent correspondence, respond to telephone/email inquiries in a timely manner, review incident reports, maintain files, keep appropriate records, assist with assessment, and prepare and generate related reports.

● Assist with the Restorative Justice Tier 2 processes, including but not limited to community engagement, developing training and outreach materials, assessment, scheduling circle conferences, and facilitation. 

● Organize and work with special projects as assigned, including but not limited to planning and executing restorative service days, tracking circles and consultations, Pop Up Circles, RA training, Student Staff Circles, benchmarking and research, and more. 

● Oversee the recruitment, selection, training, and general supervision of Restorative Program Assistants. 

● Participate as a member of department and university committees and represent the department at various campus and community functions as requested, including major departmental functions such as move-in and Fall Welcome. 

● Maintain positive relationships with campus stakeholders and serve as a liaison in promoting restorative philosophy across campus and beyond. 

● Provide support for training sessions. 

● Other duties as assigned. 

Conditions of Employment 

This is a 12-month, live-off position which requires a commitment of approximately 20 hours per week, including some evening and occasional weekend hours. On occasion, additional hours may be required to perform job responsibilities. The position will begin in early to mid July (the date is still being determined). 

Physical Demands:
Normal office environment – Sedentary work. Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negotiable amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, pu