Hybrid Peacemaking Coordinator bei Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians

Position Summary:  

Responsible for development, implementation, and support of Pokagon Peacemaking initiatives undertaken by the Court under the guidance of the Chief Judge and Court Administrator. Duties and functions will run along three primary focused areas of work activity: (1) working with the Court and others to breathe life into community-based Peace Circles for conflict and dispute resolution consistent with Pokagon traditions, values, and non-adversarial circle utility; (2) working with Pokagon justice systems stakeholders to develop and implement peacemaking tools for Court use; and (3) working with the Court and others to promote wide-spread understanding of native justice ideals, values, principles, and processes.  

Essential Functions:

• Develop short-term and long-term action plans for Peace Circle development and institutionalization.
• Provide Circle Keeper leadership and facilitate Peace Circles as a Circle Keeper as needed.
• Review current versions of Guidebook for Circle Keepers and Model Ethical Guidelines for Peace Circles and revise to make Pokagon specific, in terms of culture, ideals, values, and community needs.
• Review process and forms for case intake, processing, and closure.
• Collaborate with Chief Judge and Court Administrator to develop and implement procedures for data collection and report preparation.
• Provide intake coordination for the community-based Pokagon Peacemaking program.
• Develop and implement Peace Circle trainings; orientation, basic and advanced skill building, and specialty conflict resolution.
• Develop policies and procedures for use of the Healing Fire Room.
• Collaborate with Elders Council and other Tribal entities, e.g., information sharing, seeking guidance and promotion of Peace Circles within the community.
• Assist in the recruitment and training of volunteer Circle Keepers.
• Assist families, youth and adults in need of Peace Circles to resolve conflicts and disputes. 
• Provide a high level of customer service in coordinating the community-based Pokagon Peacemaking program.
• Perform skilled clerical work, including but not limited to, documenting and tracking case activity and information, data entry, answering phones, receiving and processing mail, responding to e-mail correspondence, scheduling Peace Circles. 
• Coordinate budgetary needs and expenditures with the Court Administrator.
• Assist in the development and management of the Peacemaking module of the case management system. 
• Develop short-term and long-term action plans for tribal-wide education regarding Pokagon Peacemaking program. 
• Responsible for tribal-wide education regarding Pokagon Peacemaking program, including their utility, effectiveness, and cultural foundations.
• Coordinate with Department of Language & Culture and other Tribal entities to promote community understanding of peacemaking activities.
• Engage with schools and other youth programs regarding peer to peer peacemaking initiatives.
• Develop learning and sharing relationships with other peacemaking, native justice, and other conflict dispute resolution programs.
• Engage volunteer Circle Keepers in community cultural activities.
• Write regular, periodic articles in the Tribal newspaper.
• Update website postings and social media opportunities to promote the understanding of peacemaking.
• Responsible for coordination with the Court to assist in the development of peacemaking tools for Court use.
• Develop short-term and long-term action plans regarding peacemaking tools for Court use.
• Coordinate with justice system stakeholders to promote the development of probation, community service, diversion, deferred prosecution opportunities, etc.
• Coordinate with Chief Judge to develop opportunities to use the Healing Fire Room for other types of Circles, e.g. Healing, Teaching, Mentoring, Reconciliation, Reintegration, Celebration, Sentencing, etc.

Non-Essential Functions:

• Represent and promote Pokagon Peacemaking and Native Justice initiatives at a variety of functions.
• Perform other related functions as assigned.

Equipment:

• Standard office equipment.
• Systems used:  MS Office Applications, Solid Circle Case Management.

Position Requirements:  

• Bachelor’s Degree in criminal justice, law, social work, psychology, sociology, or related field. Five (5) years of relevant experience in lieu of degree may be accepted or a combination of both education and experience. Degree must be from an accredited institution whose program of study has been recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation or the United States Department of Education.
• Two (2) years of peacemaking or alternative dispute resolution experience.
• Civil Mediation Certification (40 hr. course) or the ability to attain certification within 180 days of employment, depending when training is offered.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Pokagon culture, ideals, values, and community needs.
• Ability to analyze situations and apply logical and rational thinking to make decisions or choose appropriate courses of action.
• Reputation for embracing the highest ethical standards of professional and personal behavior.
• Must adhere to the Court Rules of Ethics for Tribal Court Personnel and Model Ethical Guidelines for Peace Circles
• Must maintain confidentiality and preserve impartiality of the Court.
• Sensitivity to the diverse needs of others, focusing on individual needs, situation and specific background or culture.
• Demonstrated active listening skills such that an individual’s needs, issues, and problems are addressed.
• Highly developed verbal and written communication skills. A writing sample will be required.
• Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills with a reputation for patience and respect.
• Ability to alleviate stress and anxiety, be supportive of persons, and work tactfully and collaboratively in potential stressful situations.
• Strong presentation skills and the ability to speak effectively before groups and respond to questions required.
• High level of self-motivation, ability to work independently and a strong work ethic required.
• Obtain knowledge of departments and services offered.
• Attend meetings and events as directed by the Chief Judge and Court Administrator.
• Intermediate skills with MS Office Applications required.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and be able to meet the minimum requirements regarding driving record in order to utilize Pokagon Band vehicles.  Ability to transport peacemaking clients as needed.

Indian Preference:

•    Pokagon Band Preference Code applies. 

Physical Requirements:   

• Work is generally sedentary in nature and will frequently require sitting. However, standing, walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and bending will occasionally be necessary.
• Occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.
• Frequently required to use hands and fingers to operate equipment.
• Frequently required to talk and hear. 

Work Environment: 

• Work environment will be a variety of settings both indoors and outdoors including office, schools, public facilities, tribal/public property, including the Court’s Healing Fire Room which can be an environment involving smoke from a fire.
• General office work is generally performed within an office environment, with standard office equipment available.
• Local travel is necessary, so the ability to travel as needed is required. 

Competencies:

• Teamwork
• Organizational Savvy
• Initiative
• Creativity and Innovation
• Client Focus
• Empathy and Compassion
• Attention to Detail