Join our team

Circle Up Facilitator

Are you someone who values mindfulness and youth development? Can you establish rapport and build relationships with young people from diverse backgrounds? If so, you may be a great fit for Amala! Amala  is looking to fill positions for hourly facilitators to support our weekly Circle Up program, a social emotional learning (SEL) and mindfulness program held at various school campuses around central Texas. 

Program Mission: Effective learning happens when youth have a support system to help them cope with the challenges of adolescence, including peer pressure, low self-esteem, bullying, anxiety associated with academic and social pressures, and a lack of connection. Circle Ups provides that support system. Through mindfulness, restorative circles, and engaging interactive processes,  Circle Up engages youth to build connections and community in schools, develop resilience and healthy coping skills, and  find their leadership voice.

We are looking for facilitators who have a few daytime hours available Monday thru Friday, and are excited to build community in local elementary, middle and high schools.  Experience is preferred and training is provided. 

Job Type: Hourly Contractor

Pay: $60/hour for facilitation + $60/hour for planning + gas stipend

Responsibilities:

• Facilitate groups of diverse youth in weekly/biweekly social-emotional learning and mindfulness groups in a school setting.

• Implement Amala’s Healing Centered Facilitation program model through restorative circling facilitation  that is interactive, culturally responsive and developmentally oriented.

• Administer student assessments and maintain a log of student attendance

• Maintain a safe and welcoming environment for all students

• Attend trainings and monthly meetings 

Qualifications:

• High School diploma/GED required with experience in social work, education, youth development or related field preferred. 

• Minimum of two years’ experience in youth facilitation or youth programming, preferably with youth in BIPOC communities.

• Experience with mindfulness, social-emotional learning and/or restorative circles is preferred. Demonstrated belief in positive youth development.

• Ability to implement a social development curriculum for students in a school-based setting.

• Strong presentation/facilitation skills required.

Computer literacy required. Must have a stable internet connection and familiarity with online platforms such as Zoom and Google Teams. Selected candidates must be able to pass a background check required by the school district. 

*To apply, please send your resume to maria@amalafoundation.org  and include Circle Up High School, Circle Up Middle School or Circle Up Elementary to indicate which level you are most interested in applying for. In the body of the email, please detail your experience working with diverse youth, youth facilitation, and your experience with mindfulness, social-emotional learning and restorative circles.

Hiring Facilitators until August 8th, 2022

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Restorative Justice Director

Amala aims to heal communities through conversation. We believe that when people are committed to their social and emotional growth, connecting with others, and engaging in their communities, there is hope for an equitable, inclusive, and compassionate future for all of us.

The Restorative Justice Director role is an exciting opportunity to serve as a lead facilitator and collaborative architect of a new restorative justice pilot program in partnership with the Travis County District Attorney’s office and other nonprofit organizations. This program is built on the foundations of Indigenous restorative modalities developed to resolve conflict and foster healing. The Restorative Justice Director will also support additional Amala programming based in schools and in the greater community.   

BIPOC applicants with experience facilitating Restorative Circles are strongly encouraged to apply. Direct life experience in diverse communities is essential. Bilingual in English/Spanish strongly preferred.

What does Amala do?  

Since 2001, Amala has worked to build a healthy and diverse community by focusing on a culture of belonging.  For youth, Amala offers leadership programs grounded in social-emotional learning (SEL) for children and teens from diverse cultural, racial, and socioeconomic backgrounds.  Our youth leadership programs offer students a unique blend of mindfulness, movement, and sharing circles to help them learn to navigate the challenges of adolescence, connect with peers from different neighborhoods and backgrounds, build healthy communication skills and relationships, and develop wellness practices in their daily lives. 

For adults, Amala offers professional workshops and trainings based on mindfulness and healthy communication tenets.  We also partner with schools and organizations to provide customized trainings on SEL, personal and community wellness, equity and cultural responsiveness, mindfulness and self-care.We do all this work through the lens of equity, inclusion, and systemic change.

What will the Restorative Justice Director do?

• Program Development, Administration, and Management: Utilize relevant theory, literature, research, best practices in the areas of restorative justice, trauma-healing practices, identity development, and community building in developing a restorative framework and inclusive conflict resolution program for adjudicated youth offenders and impacted community members. Assist in the supervision, training, and advising of volunteers and facilitators. Develop and implement evaluation and assessment tools to measure the efficacy of programs, analyze results, and make programmatic changes.
• Facilitation: Facilitate restorative circles with youth offenders and impacted community members, parent/caregiver support circles, and professional development sessions focused on building a culture of restorative justice. This role will also support our in-school programming and training for youth and adults. 
• Student and staff development: Organize activities to promote culturally responsive restorative practices and discipline. Mentor youth to develop self-efficacy and self-advocacy.Provide training, technical assistance and support to staff and students in the facilitation of restorative conferences, restorative conversations, peer and peacemaking circles, and community building circles. 
• Partnership building: Build and expand partnerships with schools, stakeholders, and partner organizations..
  

Preferred Education, Qualifications, and Experience:

• Minimum of two years’ experience in Restorative Justice/Restorative Practices facilitation, preferably with clients in the BIPOC community. 
• Experience facilitating groups of youth from underserved communities (having lived experience in the communities we serve is essential). Knowledge of SEL, cultural responsiveness, and adolescent development and student engagement skills.
• Excellent communication skills that show respect for diverse cultures and backgrounds. 
• Strong ability to maneuver varying interests from multiple stakeholders, preferably within the criminal justice system. 
• Experience with mindfulness, social-emotional learning and restorative practices is preferred. Demonstrated belief in positive youth development.
• Experience in working with the criminal justice system and with relevant partners.
• Bilingual Spanish/English preferred.

Is this position for you? 

We are a highly functioning team because we are highly functioning individuals.  To be successful in this role, you must be self-motivated, reliable, accountable, self-aware, and HIGHLY organized.  

You must have a passion for Restorative practices and equity, a commitment to becoming increasingly self- and racially-aware, an open and curious mind about people who are different from you, a natural urge to collaborate, and a willingness to bring your whole self (but not give your whole life!) to the job.  If sitting in silence and checking in for a few minutes before meetings sounds like a dream to you, this position may be for you. 

Why work at Amala? 

First, we are a community, not just an organization.  Amala is comprised of diverse people committed to developing self-awareness and the ability to listen to others with curiosity.  We believe that when people of all ages develop these skills en masse, we can overcome the social ills that prevent Austin from thriving as a community.

Amala offers the following benefits:

• Flexible schedule
• Hybrid work options
• 401K matching
• Unlimited vacation time
• Health benefits

and more!

Our team is small, we get along amazingly well, and we support each other’s growth and wellbeing.  We have a flexible culture that promotes self-management and integrity, and encourages team members to connect as humans, not just as people with interlacing to-do lists. As a team, we teach and practice “leveling,” the idea that we are all imperfect people trying to get through life’s ups and downs (as opposed to seeing young people as inferior humans in need of wisdom from adults who have it all figured out).

What is the compensation package and when does it start?

Salary range: $58,000-$65,000

How to apply

Email your resume to outreach@amalafoundation.org, along with a cover letter in which you answer the questions listed below. You will receive an email notifying you that your materials have been received.  After that, Amala will initiate all contact.  Please respect our hiring process and refrain from calling or sending additional emails.  We look forward to connecting with you. 

Cover letter questions (please limit to two pages):

1. Why are you interested in Amala’s Restorative Justice Director position and what about your background draws you to this position?
2. What experience do you have working in SEL programs, public schools, the criminal justice system, and/or mental health services? 
3. Why do you think a Restorative Justice program is important in Travis County?
4. What are the strengths and weaknesses you would bring to this position?

Deadline to apply is midnight on July 29th

Interested in supporting Amala’s mission as a board member? Contact us to learn more about the opportunity.