Job Summary Under the general direction of the Manager of Restorative Practices and Community Engagement, the Restorative Practices Specialist supports the Department’s mission to promote fairness, restorative culture, and community wellness for juveniles, families, and victims served by the Juvenile Probation Department. This position provides training, coaching, and implementation support in restorative and trauma-informed practices to staff and community partners. This job strengthens collaboration among schools, law enforcement, courts, and community organizations to build capacity for equitable, healing-centered approaches and to reduce systemic barriers to fair policies and practices in the juvenile justice system.
Distinguishing Characteristics
This classification is part of the Social Services job family. The incumbent performs routine to moderately complex duties related to the delivery and coordination of restorative and trauma-informed training and program implementation. Work includes collaboration with internal staff, youth, families, and community partners. The Specialist must demonstrate sound judgment, empathy, and cultural responsiveness and may occasionally work flexible hours or in secure facilities to meet program needs. Duties and Responsibilities
- Maintains up-to-date certifications and professional development in restorative and trauma-informed practices.
- Develops and delivers training content, curricula, and materials that promote trauma-informed care, restorative justice principles, and community wellness.
- Provides coaching and technical support to staff implementing restorative and trauma-informed approaches within the Juvenile Probation Department and partner agencies.
- Collaborates with the Director of Restorative Practices and Community Engagement to identify and implement initiatives that promote fairness, restorative culture, and community wellness.
- Participates in Department and community workgroups, task forces, and committees focused on improving outcomes for youth and families.
- Supports the development of strategies and interventions that address fairness, restorative culture, and community wellness of youth and families.
- Collects and tracks data and feedback related to training participation, implementation progress, and community engagement efforts.
- Builds and maintains partnerships with community organizations, schools, law enforcement, and judicial entities to advance restorative practices and trauma-informed care across systems.
- Assists with the creation of communication and educational materials to increase awareness and understanding of restorative and trauma-informed approaches.
- Contributes to the development of policies, procedures, and practices that foster a restorative culture and psychological safety within the Department.
- Participates in regular supervision, training, and professional development to ensure alignment with Department goals.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
Minimum Requirements
Education and Experience:
Bachelor’s degree in a related field and three (3) years of experience working with school districts, law enforcement, courts, or youth-serving organizations, including at least one (1) year of experience delivering training, coaching, or implementation support in restorative or trauma-informed practices. OR, Any combination of education and experience that has been achieved and is equivalent to the stated education and experience and required knowledge, skills, and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this job.
Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:
Valid Texas Driver’s License.
Preferred:
Certification or training in mediation/conflict management, group facilitation, interest-basedbargaining, and/or community engagement techniques or strategies. Experience in government, juvenile justice, or community-based settings. Bilingual proficiency – English/Spanish (speak/read/write). Certification and/or training in restorative practices, trauma-informed care, facilitation, or community engagement. Experience with fairness, restorative culture, and community wellness initiatives. Lived experience with inequities as a result of systemic barriers. Advanced training or licensure in a mental health discipline (e.g., LCSW, LPC, LMFT).
Knowledge of:
- Principles and practices of restorative and trauma-informed systems of care.
- The impact of trauma, adversity, and systemic barriers on youth development and behavior.
- Restorative justice and community engagement frameworks.
- Strategies for conflict resolution and restorative dialogue.
- Confidentiality laws (HIPAA and related).
- Federal, state, and local juvenile justice regulations.
Skill in:
- Delivering engaging training and presentations.
- Facilitating groups and building collaborative partnerships.
- Problem-solving, conflict resolution, and de-escalation.
- Strong interpersonal skills, communicating well with people of all backgrounds.
- Collecting and interpreting data related to training and program outcomes.
- Using computer systems, word processing, and presentation software.
Ability to:
- Build trust and communicate effectively with diverse populations.
- Motivate and support staff in adopting restorative and trauma-informed approaches.
- Maintain confidentiality and use sound professional judgment.
- Work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary environment.
- Adapt to changing priorities and work environments.
- Maintain composure in emotionally charged situations.
Work Environment & Other Information Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 50 pounds occasionally; visual acuity; speech and hearing; and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and standard office equipment. Work may involve standing, sitting, walking, bending, kneeling, and client contact in various settings. Some evening or weekend work may be required.
Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such, employees can be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions.
Work Hours: 8 am - 5 pm, Monday-Friday. Location: 2515 S. Congress Avenue
Department: Juvenile Probation
Criminal, Driving, Education, and Employment Background Checks Required. Drug Test, Alcohol Test
For updates or questions on this position, contact: Alana.Terry-ramos@traviscountytx.gov
This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.
You must ensure your application accurately reflects your skills and abilities as they relate to the position. Only periods of employment and experience detailed in the "Work Experience" section of the application will be considered in determining which applicants move forward in the selection process, as well as determining pay level for candidate(s) recommended for hire.Benefits
Benefits
Employment at Travis County comes with a full array of benefits. We offer comprehensive health insurance, a no-cost, on-site Health and Wellness clinic, longevity pay, paid vacations, sick time and personal holidays, not to mention an industry competitive salary structure and a friendly, stable work environment.FY2027 Travis County Benefit Guide In this valuable Travis County Benefits Guide you will find benefit summaries, eligibility requirements, costs, contact numbers and addresses as well as other general information on the benefits available to Travis County Employees and Retirees. Credit Union Employees may join the Travis County Credit Union which offers low-interest loans, savings plans through payroll deduction, safe deposit boxes and other benefits. Deferred Compensation Employees may enroll in a tax- free sheltered investment plan through payroll deduction. Direct Deposit Employees may sign up for direct bank deposit. Employee Assistance Program Travis County provides a confidential counseling and referral service free of charge to county employees and their family. Employee Organizations Membership in the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Union is available through payroll deduction. Employee Health & Wellness Clinic Employees may access the clinic for a variety of wellness program and health care services with no co-pay, no deductible and no co-insurance costs. Holidays An average of eleven paid holidays are designated by the Travis County Commissioners Court at the beginning of each fiscal year.
Insurance Employees may select from four plans: an Exclusive Physician Organization (EPO), Choice Plus Preferred Physician Organization (PPO), Consumer Choice or a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with a Health Savings Account (HSA). All four options include a Pharmacy Plan. Travis County’s current policy is to pay 100% of the employee’s health insurance premium for the Consumer Choice and HDHP. Employees will pay a premium for both the EPO and PPO. Other insurance benefits include $50,000 Basic Life and AD&D paid by the County.
The following benefits are employee paid:
- Dental
- Vision
- Supplemental Life, AD&D
- Dependent Life
- Short Term Disability
- Long Term Disability
- Long Term Care
New employees are covered on the first day of the month following 28 calendar days of employment. Longevity Longevity pay is paid for each year completed after three years of continuous service. Peace Officers in a law enforcement activity, whose job requires state peace officer certification, receive pay after one year of certification.
On the regular payday on or after the employee's fourth and subsequent adjusted service dates, he or she receives a single payment for the previous year. Parking A limited number of assigned parking spaces are available to employees in the Courthouse Complex. Personal Holidays Regular, full-time employees are eligible for up to three paid personal holidays each calendar year. Part-time employees shall be granted personal holidays on a prorated basis. New employees earn personal holidays for the calendar year in which he/she begins employment, based on the month in which employment begins: January – March 3 personal holidays April - June 2 personal holidays
July - September 1 personal holiday
October - December None
New employees are eligible to take personal holidays after 90 days of employment.Retirement Travis County is a member of the Texas County & District Retirement System with mandatory participation by certain classes of employees. Seven percent (7%) of the gross salary is deducted each pay period. An employee is fully vested after eight years of service. Benefits are prorated for part-time employees. Sick Leave Regular employees earn sick leave at a rate of eight hours per month with unlimited accrual during employment. Part-time employees earn sick leave on a pro-rated basis.
Parental Leave Each Full-time Paid Parental Leave Eligible (PPL) Employee is entitled to a total of 320 hours of Paid Parental Leave in a 12 month period. Paid Parental Leave for Part-time PPL Eligible Employees is prorated based on the number of hours that they are regularly scheduled to work. Tuition Refund Certain classes of full-time employees may receive reimbursement for fees associated with pre-approved, job related course work completed satisfactorily. Vacation Based on years of county service, regular, full-time employees earn vacation time at the following rates: 0 to 5 years 4.0 hours per pay period 6 to 10 years 4.5 hours per pay period 11 to 15 years 5.0 hours per pay period 16 to 20 years 5.5 hours per pay period 21 plus years 6.0 hours per pay period
Part-time employees earn vacation leave on a pro-rated basis.Workers' Compensation The county provides all employees workers' compensation coverage with benefits in accordance with state statute, if the employee sustains an injury out of, or in the course of work.