Job Description

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.

Who We Are:

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 opportunity:

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.

Essential Responsibilities

Facilitation & Case Support

• Support conflict resolution pathways for students, staff, and faculty by facilitating restorative circles and conferences, and integrating restorative options with other resolution frameworks (mediation, facilitated dialogue) to repair harm, support accountability, and rebuild community.
• Conduct intake conversations and preparation meetings with participants.
• Support restorative responses to bias incidents, community conflict, and interpersonal harm.
• Work with campus partners to determine appropriate restorative interventions.

Training & Education

• Deliver workshops and introductory training sessions on restorative practices for community building and conflict resolution for student leaders, staff, and faculty.
• Work with the Director of Equity and Inclusion and the Title IX Coordinator to support the development of student/peer restorative leaders.
• Develop educational materials and resources on restorative philosophy and practices to promote community building applications and support case management and response.

Community Engagement

• Organize proactive community-building circles and dialogue opportunities for the campus community.
• Partner with Student Affairs staff, the Provost’s office, Human Resources, and student organizations to develop timely and appropriate approaches to resolving conflict.
• Serve as a resource for campus constituents seeking restorative approaches to addressing conflict.
• Facilitate campus response to collective harm to support shared processing, expression, and care for students, staff, and faculty in collaboration with Counseling and Psychological Services, Human Resources, Student Affairs, and other campus partners.

Program Implementation, Coordination, & Assessment

• Contribute to institutional plan to build campus capacity in restorative practices in collaboration with Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion colleagues.
• Collaborate with campus partners to align restorative practices program with Swarthmore Forward strategic plan initiatives (e.g., BeWell).
• Implement restorative practices initiatives and programs in collaboration with the Director of Equity and Inclusion and Title IX Coordinator.
• Coordinate restorative programming across campus units.
• Manage program logistics, participant outreach, scheduling, and follow-up for restorative processes.
• Document and maintain accurate records of restorative engagements and outcomes, ensuring compliance with institutional standards and confidentiality.
• Contribute to program evaluation and annual reports; recommend program improvements.

Who you are:

• 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

What you bring:

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

What You Will Get:

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.

We want to hear from you if you are excited about this role! For full consideration, submit applications with an uploaded resume, including a cover letter by July 13, 2026. Applications received after this date may be reviewed on a rolling basis until the job has been filled. Please submit a cover letter indicating how your qualifications and experience have prepared you for this position. If you have experience that meets any of the preferred qualifications, please include a detailed explanation of any such experience in your cover letter and how it meets the preferred qualification(s).

The market range for this position is $85,000-$89,500 per year, which represents the College’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range at the time of posting. The salary offered is determined based on factors including, but not limited to, experience and education of the final selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information.

PA Criminal Clearance Required

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

Education Verification Required by Position

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.