Position Title: Restorative Justice Caseworker
Type of Employment: Full-time, 75 hours bi-weekly
Salary: $49,928.46
Location: Halifax
Designated Position: Coverdale Justice Society fosters an inclusive and diverse workplace. This is a designated position for individuals who identify as Black, African Nova Scotian, Indigenous, Gender Diverse, and other marginalized communities.
About Coverdale Justice Society
Coverdale Justice Society is a community-based organization dedicated to improving access to justice, promoting alternatives to traditional justice systems, and enhancing public safety and well-being, with a focus on primarily serving communities of criminalized women and gender- diverse individuals, including Indigenous and African Nova Scotian women, trans and queer people, and those affected by gender-based violence and poverty. Coverdale aims to support individuals impacted by historical and ongoing colonization, racism, sexism, homophobia, and other forms of marginalization and oppression. Our services include court-based, housing-based, and community-based support. Rooted in core values such as empathy, justice, and courage, Coverdale strives to find innovative ways to make real and lasting change for women and gender-diverse people. Coverdale will be operating Coverdale Restorative Justice, an extension of Coverdale Justice Society that provides the Nova Scotia Restorative Justice Program (NSRJP) for youth and adults within the Halifax region.
About the Opportunity
We are currently seeking applications for the role of Restorative Justice Caseworker (RJ Caseworker) with Coverdale Restorative Justice. This competition will be used to fill a total of 11 RJ Caseworker positions (10 full-time).
Reporting to the Director, Coverdale Restorative Justice, RJ Caseworkers will be responsible for delivering the Nova Scotia Restorative Justice Program for youth and adults in the Halifax region. Key elements of this role include working with people in conflict with the law and those who have been harmed to understand their needs, justice-related and otherwise, as well as designing and facilitating restorative justice processes that address and repair harm and enable participants to work towards meaningful change and enhanced well-being.
As an ideal candidate, you are highly collaborative, a skilled communicator, listener, and connector, and demonstrate curiosity, openness, and the willingness to learn and grow. Individuals who are driven by the desire to make a difference in the lives of others, have a strong understanding of social justice issues, and are energized by the prospect of being a part of a new restorative justice team in Halifax, are encouraged to apply.
For more information on the NSRJP and the NSRJP Protocols, please visit the following links:
- ▪ Nova Scotia Restorative Justice Program: https://novascotia.ca/just/rj/
- ▪ Nova Scotia Restorative Justice Program Protocols: https://novascotia.ca/restorative-justice-protocols/
Core Duties and Responsibilities
- Work alongside other RJ Caseworkers, the Casework Coordinator, the Director, and the Office Manager to support over 450 NSRJP referrals each year. Manage an individual caseload of over 40 referrals at a given time.
- Meet with and maintain contact with NSRJP participants—those whose matters have been referred to restorative justice, those who have been harmed, and others connected to and/or affected by the matter—to understand needs (justice-related and otherwise), as well as perspectives, contexts, and causes associated with the referred matter.
- Connect participants to appropriate (i.e., culturally-relevant, suitable, accessible) supports and services, as needed.
- Ensure timely and effective communications with referral sources (police, crowns, judges, Correctional Services staff, and victim-serving agency staff) from the outset of the restorative justice process to ensure all relevant parties are informed of the progression of a referred matter.
- Collaborate with casework team and external partners (e.g., community partners, referral sources) to map, design, and facilitate restorative justice circles or sessions that meet justice needs, are responsive to contextual and systemic factors, as well as root causes, and which create space and conditions for all participants to repair harm and move forward.
- Provide support to participants in the completion of Restorative Justice Plans.
- Prepare restorative justice reports to inform sentencing following the completion of a post-conviction referral made by the judiciary.
- Capture all required information and maintain up-to-date case notes in the case management database.
- Conduct all restorative justice work in a manner that is consistent with restorative justice principles, NSRJP practice guidelines, and case management and data entry standards.
- Network with other non-profit sector organizations and justice system partners to foster and maintain partnerships to advance restorative justice and other justice transformation efforts.
Education, Knowledge, Skills, and Experience
- A post-secondary degree in a relevant social sciences or humanities discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and experience, including professional, volunteer, and lived experience.
- Experience in a case management, front-line service delivery, program facilitation, conflict resolution, and/or customer service context.
- Proven track record in maintaining organization, balancing tasks, and meeting deadlines when faced with a full workload competing priorities.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with and create spaces of safety and trust for a wide range of people as they navigate challenging contexts.
- Aptitude for fostering healthy, productive, and safe dialogue among people with distinct needs and experiences.
- Working knowledge of and experience in applying anti-oppressive, human-centered, and trauma-informed frameworks and practices, including in working with people with diverse and overlapping needs.
- Strong collaboration, community engagement, and network building skills.
- Knowledge of social supports and services, community-based resources and programs, and the non-profit sector in the Halifax Regional Municipality.
Employment and Working Conditions
- This position is subject to the personnel policies of Coverdale Justice Society.
- Flexibility to travel throughout the Halifax Regional Municipality.
- Ability to work evenings and weekends, from time to time and as required.
- Access to a private vehicle or another form of reliable transportation.
Benefits
- Work cell phone & computer
- 2 weeks vacation
- 12 personal days
- Blue Cross Benefits
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $49,928.46 per year
Benefits:
- Dental care
- Extended health care
- Paid time off
- Vision care
Schedule:
- 8 hour shift
- Monday to Friday
Work Location: In person
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: Up to $49,928.46 per year
Benefits:
- Dental care
- Extended health care
- Paid time off
- Vision care
Work Location: In person
Expected start date: 2025-08-18
