Associate Director, Restorative Practices

Swarthmore College is a highly selective liberal arts college located in the suburbs of Philadelphia, whose mission combines academic rigor with social responsibility. Swarthmore has a strong institutional commitment to inclusive excellence and nondiscrimination in its educational program and employment practices and encourages candidates who will further advance the goal of fostering a diverse and inclusive community. As one of the nation’s finest institutions of higher learning, Swarthmore College is global in outlook and draws students from around the nation and world. The 425‐acre campus is a designated arboretum, complete with gardens, rolling lawns, a creek, wooded hills, and hiking trails in the Crum Woods.

Swarthmore College launched a new institutional strategic plan, Swarthmore Forward, in January 2024 that deepens the College’s commitment to creating a community that welcomes differences and prepares students for life in a multiracial, multicultural democracy leading to the creation of The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Led by the Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, who serves on the President’s senior leadership team, the office provides strategic vision, expertise, and coordination for institutional work that supports a campus culture of inclusion, trust, and belonging for all members of the Swarthmore community. We know that an individual’s ability to meaningfully, authentically and fully participate in a community is dependent upon that community being intentionally built and committed to the ideals of curiosity, resilience, empathy, inclusivity and accountability. We contribute to our intentional community by educating community members in inclusive practices, supporting dialogue across differences, and ensuring fair and free access to all opportunities offered at Swarthmore.

The Associate Director of Restorative Practices supports the development and implementation of restorative approaches that strengthen community, address harm, and promote accountability across the College. Working within the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, this role will facilitate restorative processes with students, staff, and faculty, deliver training and educational programming to all campus constituencies, and collaborate with campus partners to integrate restorative practices into campus culture. The Associate Director plays a central role in operationalizing restorative initiatives and supporting the College’s commitment to inclusion, belonging, equity, and community wellbeing.

Reporting to the Director of Equity and Inclusion/Equal Opportunity Officer and collaborating with the Title IX Coordinator, and the Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, the Associate Director will build campus awareness, understanding, and capacity in restorative practices by designing and facilitating regular training sessions tailored to various campus constituencies. This position will work with campus partners across Academic and Student Affairs as well as Human Resources to promote proactive use of restorative practices for community building. They will also organize and host proactive community building circles and dialogue opportunities for the campus community.

The Associate Director will develop reference and resource materials to support application of restorative practices for conflict resolution. This position will serve as a critical resource working with campus partners to develop appropriate restorative interventions to complex cases of individual and collective harm, particularly those related to bias, discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, or retaliation connected to a protected identity. The Associate Director will offer restorative practices, when appropriate, as an option available to students, faculty, and staff within the Title IX and Equal Opportunity policies as well. The Associate Director will identify and maintain a list of competent internal or external facilitators who are trained in restorative and/or alternative dispute resolution practices to perform these services, when needed, for students, faculty, and staff. The position will lead preparation meetings with participants and facilitate restorative circles, conferences, mediations, and facilitated dialogues with students, staff, and faculty. This position will also contribute to documentation and assessment of restorative practices work, especially as it responds to and addresses identity-based harm at the College.

You’ll work at one of the world's most renowned liberal arts Colleges, with incredible benefits, a stunning 420-acre campus, and a collaborative work environment. Join a team of passionate, creative people who work hard and have fun supporting the College students, faculty, and staff.

• Demonstrated strengths in interpersonal communication
• Ability to observe strict confidentiality and discretion
• Experience with and comfort engaging with others on sensitive issues related to identity including discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct with a trauma-informed approach
• Experience developing and leading educational presentations and trainings
• Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to supporting an inclusive college community for everyone

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in related field (Higher Education, Conflict Resolution, Restorative Practices, Social Work, Counseling)
• 3-5 years of work experience in restorative practices, conflict resolution, dialogue, or related work
• Experience working in education
• Ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with diverse groups of students, staff, and faculty
• Knowledge of (or willingness to learn about) Title VI & VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of The Education Amendment of 1972, the Clery Act, the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and Swarthmore College policies and procedures
• Computer literacy and skills including knowledge of Word, Excel, e-calendar systems, Google Drive, and internet proficiency.

 Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in related field
• Certification in Restorative Practices
• Experience working in higher education
• Training in other forms of conflict resolution (e.g., mediation)
  • Willingness to pursue training in alternative conflict resolution methods
• Experience applying Restorative Practices within compliance frameworks
• Experience working with Maxient case management system

Swarthmore College requires a PA Criminal background check for all staff positions prior to the start of employment.

An education verification is required for this position because a college degree is a required qualification for this position.

Preview our Benefits Flyer. We offer benefit plans starting at zero cost! Upon benefit eligibility, the College contributes 10% of an employee’s salary to their retirement account. Employees are 100% vested in their accounts on the date participation begins.

2026 Swarthmore Benefits Guidebook

Retirement Plans

Tuition Grant Program

Tuition Reimbursement Program

Paid Time Off (Staff)

Holiday Schedule

Swarthmore College is committed to creating a culture of respect and inclusion so that every member of our community feels a sense of belonging. We actively seek and welcome candidates with diverse perspectives and experiences, exceptional qualifications, and a demonstrable commitment to a more inclusive society and world. Swarthmore College is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on any identity or characteristic protected by law or College Policy.

Advertised: Jun 11 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close:

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