Associate Dean , Restorative Justice

Associate Dean, Restorative Justice & Inclusive Excellence

Full-time, exempt, 40 hours/week

$120,000-$150,000 annually

On-Campus Role, South Royalton, VT

Reports to:

Law and Graduate School Deans

VLGS Benefits and PTO include:

- Full benefits (medical, dental, vision, etc.).

- 403b including 4% employer contribution.

- 2 weeks of paid vacation in addition to paid personal and sick days.

- 11 paid holidays plus two weeks of paid days off for Summer and Winter breaks.

- Employee Assistance Program.

- VLGS course participation with tuition assistance.

- Flexible schedule potential.

Vermont Law and Graduate School is committed to cultivating and preserving a culture of inclusion and connectedness. We grow and learn better together with a diverse group of faculty, staff, and students. In recruiting for faculty and staff, we seek unique backgrounds to enrich and challenge our community.

Position Summary

The Associate Dean for Restorative Justice & Inclusive Excellence provides strategic, academic, and operational leadership that integrates the work of the Center for Justice Reform (CJR) with institution-wide efforts to cultivate a restorative, inclusive, and relationship-centered campus community. This combined role advances a holistic vision for an institution grounded in restorative principles—one that centers connection, accountability, repair, and shared responsibility for community well-being.

This position oversees all curricular, co-curricular, and community-facing programming connected to the Center for Justice Reform including the Master of Arts in Restorative Justice (MARJ), the RJ Graduate Certificate, and restorative justice events and partnerships.

More broadly the position guides institutional efforts to embed restorative practice within Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging strategy, policy, pedagogy, and culture, helping the school cultivate a more equitable, inclusive, and relational learning environment.

This is a senior academic leadership staff role (not faculty) reporting to the Deans of the Law School and the Graduate School.

Key Responsibilities

1. Center for Justice Reform Leadership

Academic Program Oversight

- Provide vision, oversight, and continuous improvement for the MARJ program and Graduate Certificate.

- Collaborate with faculty on curriculum development, assessment, and pedagogical innovation grounded in restorative principles.

- Ensure alignment with institutional accreditation standards and strategic priorities.

Restorative Justice Events & Outreach

- Lead all CJR events, symposia, trainings, and partnerships with local, national, and international RJ organizations.

- Promote the CJR as a thought leader and hub for restorative justice scholarship and practice.

- Support faculty and student research, applied projects, and community-engaged learning.

Operational Management

- Oversee the CJR budget, staffing, and resource planning.

- Foster collaborative relationships with internal and external partners to expand the impact of CJR initiatives.

2. Strategic Leadership for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

- Shape and implement institution-wide DEIB priorities through a restorative lens, emphasizing relationship-centered processes and community-informed decision-making.

- Co-develop and monitor DEIB metrics, reporting, and accountability structures.

- Oversee the DEI budget, staffing, and resource planning.

Restorative Climate Development

- Facilitate restorative conversations, circles, and processes that support community healing, conflict resolution, and inclusion across the institution.

- Partner with HR, student services, academic affairs, and other units to embed restorative approaches into policies, practices, and professional development.

- Provide leadership and oversight for campus wide cultural events such as the MLK Day events and the cultural celebration.

Education & Capacity Building

- Provide training and guidance for faculty, staff, and students to increase cultural competence, reduce bias, and strengthen inclusive teaching and leadership practices.

- Develop resources and programming that elevate diverse lived experiences and promote equity in both the academic…