OCJ - Peace Circle Keeper, Restorative Justice Community Court

Job Description

Job Description

OFFICE OF THE CHIEF JUDGE

CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY,  ILLINOIS

JOB DESCRIPTION

POSITION :    PEACE CIRCLE KEEPER,

RESTORATIVE JUSTICE COMMUNITY COURT

STATUS :        FULL TIME

GRADE :         13

SALARY :       $48, 623

THIS POSITION WILL BE LOCATED AT THE RESTORATIVE JUSTICE COMMUNITY COURT SERVING RIVERDALE, ILLINOIS, AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES

JOB SUMMARY : The Restorative Justice Community Court (RJCC) is a criminal court with locations in the Avondale, Englewood, and North Lawndale neighborhoods of Chicago and  in south suburban Cook County.  Additional suburban Cook County locations will open in 2026. Unlike most criminal courts, the RJCC practices restorative justice, which means it empowers the community to create solutions to repair the harm caused by crime and conflict. The success of this court requires a robust partnership between the community and the criminal justice system in both its design and implementation.

The RJCC Peace Circle Keeper is a resident of the community served by the community court and provides operational support to the judiciary and community court team members under the direction of the RJCC Coordinator. The Peace Circle Keeper facilitates peace circles consisting of defendants, families, victims, and community members with the goal of creating the Repair of Harm Agreement.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES : Responsibilities of the Peace Circle Keeper include :

• Preparing the parties for participation in the peace circle
• Preparing the questions and topics for initiating and facilitating discussion
• Maintaining a space that is respectful and safe
• Engaging circle participants in open discussion, while ensuring that confidentiality is respected
• Performing all necessary follow-up after conclusion of a peace circle process.
• Maintaining contact with circle participants and community members
• Other duties as assigned by the RJCC presiding judge or the RJCC Coordinator

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS / COMPETENCIES :

This position requires a pre-employment drug screening and criminal background check.  Applicants are advised that as a Drug Free Workplace, use of medical or recreational marijuana is prohibited and will disqualify a candidate from employment.  All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of all required screening criteria.

Information concerning the benefits for this position can be found at the Circuit Court of Cook County Employment Opportunities Page .

THE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF JUDGE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

It is the policy of the Office of the Chief Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County to provide equal opportunity in employment to all employees and applicants for employment.  No person is to be discriminated against in employment because of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, disability, or sexual orientation.

Revised :   October, 2025

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