Restorative Housing Intervention Specialist

Job Title: Restorative Housing Intervention Specialist

Reports to: Community Development Manager

Salary: $33.65- $36.05

Status: Full- Time, Non- Exempt

Location: San Francisco, CA

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Restorative Housing Intervention Specialist (RHIS) supports the implementation of restorative justice and restorative practices within DISH’s Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) communities to support recovery from the trauma of homelessness and promote housing stability, and holistic wellness within the DISH resident community. This position seeks to serve our mission, values and service commitments, and address social isolation of formerly homeless adults by developing innovative programming in collaboration with the Community Development Manager (CD Manager).

This role goes beyond traditional conflict resolution and centers tenant voice, empowerment, relationship-building, accountability, healing, and community restoration. The Restorative Housing Intervention Specialist facilitates restorative interventions, restorative mediations, circles, proactive community-building events, and tenant engagement, while also helping to develop and implement restorative processes throughout DISH’s Permanent Supportive Housing sites.

The Restorative Housing Intervention Specialist works collaboratively with property management, support services, and external program partnerships to create a proactively engaged restorative housing environment, respond to conflicts, lease-related concerns, interpersonal harm, and community disruptions through a restorative approach whenever appropriate. The goal of the Restorative Housing Intervention Specialist helps to integrate restorative practices alongside PSH policies and procedures.

AGENCY DESCRIPTION:

Delivering Innovation in Supportive Housing believes that everyone deserves a home. Every day, we provide high-quality, permanent housing to San Franciscans who suffer from serious health issues—because with our help, they can get off the streets, rebuild their lives, and strengthen our communities. For more information, visit dishsf.org.

OUR MISSION:

Delivering Innovation in Supportive Housing (DISH) strives to provide excellent property management services to help end homelessness in San Francisco. Through its work, DISH, hopes to demonstrate the healing effects of home and stable community, to reinforce the self-worth of persons who have not had access to a clean, beautiful place to live, and to involve tenants in healthy and life affirming activities by drawing upon the diverse opportunities in San Francisco.

OUR VALUES:

• Use initiative and innovation: Improving our services and performance.
• Be fair and consistent: Implementing our policies and procedures.
• Be mindful and prudent: With income and expenses.
• Be respectful and hopeful: With tenants, partners, coworkers, and ourselves.
• Be open: To different opinions, challenging discussions, and taking risks.
• Demonstrate excellence: In our work and in our interactions.
• Stay focused: On what’s most important and within our control.
• Under-promise and over-deliver: Managing expectations along the way.

DISH Service Commitments:

• Warm greetings & interactions every chance we get
• Professional appearance every day
• Service through helping
• Be present and respectful at all times
• Stay calm in the eye of the storm
• Strive for the best environment to be in and work in

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Restorative Conflict Resolution

• Under the supervision of the CD Manager, receive, track, and respond to referrals for restorative interventions involving residents, staff, or community concerns.
• With the support of CD Manager, RHIS will assist in the restorative processes that encourage communication, accountability, conflict resolution, and positive community relationships in alignment with the Restorative Practices Policy and Procedures guide.
• Supported by CD Manager, RHIS will follow established procedures for determining when a situation is appropriate for restorative intervention and when it requires another response.
• RHIS will support preparation of identified participants before a restorative practice circle including the explanation of the purpose, expectations, and voluntary nature of restorative processes.
• In collaboration with the CD Manager, the RHIS will help participants identify agreements, commitments, and next steps as an outcome of the restorative practice process.
• RHIS will conduct appropriate follow-up with participants after circles with guidance of CD Manager.
• In collaboration with CD Manager RHIS will co-facilitate resident and staff training and facilitate restorative circles.
• Within restorative practice facilitation, RHIS will steward the creation of community agreements that promote respectful participation and emotional and physical safety within restorative practice.
• As assigned by CD Manager and in collaboration with Impact and Evaluation Coordinator, RHIS will complete documentation of circle outcomes and agreed-upon next steps.
• RHIS will collaborate with DISH property management staff and respond efficiently when lease violations or community concerns may benefit from a restorative response.
• RHIS will utilize an innovative approach and identify opportunities for accountability and repair before or alongside escalation of housing interventions, when appropriate and legally permissible.
• RHIS ensures restorative practices are used as a complementary approach and do not replace or supersede required lease enforcement, reasonable accommodation processes, due process protections, or other applicable legal and housing requirements.

Community Building & Resident Engagement

• RHIS will build respectful, consistent, and culturally responsive relationships with residents, through both attending and organizing regular resident community programming.
• RHIS will organize regular community engagement events at DISH sites to build rapport with resident community and offer opportunities to further restorative community connections
• RHIS will engage residents using trauma-informed, person-centered, and strength-based approaches within all 1x1 and community-based engagements.
• RHIS will help foster a proactive restorative housing environment through creating meaningful and consistent opportunities for residents to voice concerns, express needs, share ideas, and influence decisions that affect their housing and community.
• RHIS will support residents in identifying their own goals and possible solutions to conflicts, promoting resident dignity, autonomy, and self-determination.
• RHIS will maintain appropriate professional boundaries and confidentiality.
• RHIS will assist residents in developing realistic agreements to address harm or prevent repeated concerns.
• RHIS will support residents in understanding how their actions may affect neighbors, staff, and the broader community.

Staff Collaboration & Consultation

• In collaboration with CD Manager, RHIS will partner with property management, support services, case managers, and other providers when necessary to engage in restorative processes to support residents.
• RHIS will provide basic consultation to staff regarding restorative approaches to everyday conflicts and coach residents and staff on the Restorative Practice referral process and Restorative Practice Policy and Procedures guide
• When requested, RHIS will participate in team meetings and case consultations
• Work collaboratively with CD Manager and Impact and Evaluation Coordinator to assess, track, document and maintain all documentation needed for overall program evaluation
• Interacts regularly with residents, guests, service providers and staff, internal colleagues, partner organizations, DISH managers, Leadership Team

Documentation & Data Tracking

• Complete timely and accurate documentation of restorative referrals, conversations, circles, agreements, and follow-up.
• Maintain appropriate confidentiality and protect resident information.
• Track participation, outcomes, agreements, and follow-up activities that assist with program data collection for the overall restorative practice evaluation report.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum 3 years working within social services, property management, and/or community programs.  
• Knowledge of Restorative Justice and experience in restorative practice training. 
• Mediation or conflict resolution training. 
• Experience facilitating groups or community meetings. 
• Experience working in Permanent Supportive Housing or affordable housing. 
• Experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness or housing instability. 
• Experience using trauma-informed practices. 
• Experience with community engagement or resident leadership. 
• Knowledge of harm reduction and strength-based approaches. 
• Bilingual or multilingual communication skills relevant to the communities served.  

We encourage applicants with experience in: 

• Peer support 
• Social services, behavioral health or supportive services 
• Tenant advocacy 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES:

Safety, Ethics & Professional Practice

• Follow all organizational policies, DISH requirements, confidentiality standards, mandated reporting requirements, and safety protocols.
• Recognize situations involving immediate threats to safety and follow established emergency procedures.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with residents and colleagues following the DISH Employee Handbook and Restorative Practice Policies and Procedures guide.
• Participate in ongoing training related to restorative justice, trauma-informed care, conflict resolution, housing stability, and cultural responsiveness.
• Must be able to respond appropriately to changing priorities and community needs. 
• Strong listening skills.

Communication

• Strong verbal and written communication.
• Ability to communicate difficult information respectfully.
• Ability to remain calm during emotionally charged conversations.
• Ability to facilitate respectful dialogue.

Restorative Practice

• Interest in learning and facilitating restorative justice principles and practices.
• Ability to approach conflict with curiosity rather than judgment.
• Ability to recognize multiple perspectives and remain neutral in mediation.
• Willingness to support accountability while maintaining compassion.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to perform moderately difficult manipulative tasks such as typing, writing, etc. Must be able to reach, bend, walk, stand, and sit for extended periods. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move office supplies and/or packages weighing up to 15 lbs. Employee must have the ability to attend meetings, sit, listen, and use computer keyboard and mouse up to 7.5 hours per day. Frequently required to use a computer, phone, copier, and fax machine. Must be able to travel between the DISH Central office and DISH residential properties on a regular basis. May occasionally require evening or weekend participation in resident/community activities.

• Primarily community-based work within 9 DISH Permanent Supportive Housing properties. 
• Regular interaction with residents, staff, service providers, and community partners. 
• May encounter emotionally difficult, unpredictable, or high-conflict situations. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The RHI Specialist will always work in communication with Community Development Manager and Site Staff during any escalated incidents to ensure physical safety and always decrease immediate danger to themselves and other community members. The RHI Specialist will work in a shared office space with moderate noise level and periodic interruptions as well as working in one or more of our Single Room Occupancy, permanent housing settings with onsite social services for formerly homeless individuals, many of whom have significant mental health, physical health and/or substance use issues. Most of the buildings are about 100 years old and have had varying capital and cosmetic improvements.

COMPENSATION

This is a full-time, non-exempt position starting as soon as possible. Salary range is $33.65- $36.05 and dependent on experience. Compensation includes a full benefits package, including medical, vision, dental, vacation, paid holidays, sick leave, and a retirement plan. 

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

DISH SF, is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage and seek applications from women, people of color, including bilingual and bicultural individuals, as well as members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender communities. Applicants shall not be discriminated against because of race, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, color, marital status, medical condition (cancer-related) or the conditions Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and AIDS Related Conditions (ARC). Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment.

HOW TO APPLY

• Position is open until filled. In addition to a resume, applicants must include a cover letter expressing their interest in this position with DISH and why they are qualified for this job. Please submit a cover letter and resume Dish.RestorativePractice@gmail.com. No phone calls or dropins please.