We’re Hiring Our Next Executive Director!

Are you interested in leading a growing, community-justice organization in its early stage of development? The Southwest Community Justice Coalition (SCJC) is a grassroots, community-driven coalition focused on building local and regional capacity to provide restorative justice programming and culturally responsive practices to address conflict, harm and violence in order to build a safer and more just Southwest Colorado.

Applications must be emailed to team@southwestjustice.org by February 8th.

The application must include a resume, 3 references (including a brief sentence about your relationship with this person and their contact information), and a cover letter that address the following:

  • What inspires you to work in this field?

  • Why does early-stage community organization development feel like a good fit for you?

  • Your connection to the Southwest Colorado region

  • Why are alternative models to traditional legal justice relevant/important to your worldview?

Apply Now

Position Overview

SCJC seeks a values-driven, relational, and strategic Executive Director to lead the next phase of our organizational development. This role is ideal for a builder, someone who is excited to design systems, programs, partnerships and funding infrastructure within and alongside the community it serves.

The Executive Director will:

  • Manage daily operations of programming and coalition building, including oversee staff, contractors and consultants as well as partnership and key stakeholders.

  • Guide the strategic roadmap and establish related organizational goals and objectives.

  • Steward relationships with multi-cultural and lived experience community members, coalition partners and collaborators across the region.

  • Lead regular meetings with the Core Advisory Team for feedback, support and consensus-based decision making.

Core Priorities include:

  • Continued development of restorative justice diversion programming with the 6th Judicial District Attorney’s Office and Fort Lewis College.

  • Oversight of existing grant funding objectives and reporting.

  • Executing on the fundraising strategy in order to secure sustainable funding.

  • Development of community-based restorative justice practitioners to facilitate referrals.

  • The coordination and strengthening of a diverse and equitable multi-stakeholder coalition that prioritizes centering the voices and leadership of the communities we serve.

The ideal candidate is a skilled leader and community organizer. They uphold the restorative and transformative justice principles that prioritize healing over punishment, equity, accountability, truth & reconciliation, reparations, and transforming the relationships, power dynamics and systems that contribute to harm.

Key Responsibilities:

Organizational Leadership & Strategy

  • Manage daily operations, personnel, and programming.

  • Develop, implement, and refine organizational systems & structures, policies and workflows necessary to support a growing organization.

  • Advance the SCJC’s strategic roadmap and the development of an equitable governance model, in alignment with Advisory Council guidance, community-coalition priorities, and organizational values.

Fundraising & Sustainability

  • Further develop and implement existing fundraising strategies including grant, institution and foundation proposals, donor cultivation, and community-based fundraising campaigns.

  • Lead grant writing, reporting, and compliance.

  • Manage organizational budget and financial planning.

  • Build infrastructure to support long-term program and staffing stability.

Program Development & Management

  • Oversee and expand restorative justice diversion programming with the 6th Judicial District Attorney’s Office and Fort Lewis College.

  • Manage and support community-based RJ referral processes, including case coordination and facilitator supervision.

  • Ensure high-quality facilitation standards, safety protocols, data tracking, and outcomes reporting.

  • Design and support community trainings, events, circles, and capacity-building opportunities.

Coalition Building & Partnerships

  • Coordinate SCJC’s cross-sector Coalition, fostering collaboration, shared learning, and accessible monthly gatherings.

  • Strengthen relationships with cross-sector, multi-cultural and lived experience community stakeholders

  • Represent SCJC in regional, statewide, and national RJ events and networks.

Required Skills & Qualifications

  • Background in community organizing, coalition coordination, and/or movement-building work.

  • Strong project and program management skills.

  • Experience in fundraising, grant writing, and/or resource development.

  • Excellent communication, facilitation, and relational leadership skills.

  • Commitment to anti-oppressive, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed practice.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience in nonprofit leadership and organizational development.

  • Demonstrated experience or training in restorative justice practice, circle keeping, or community-based conflict transformation.

  • Familiarity with the legal system, diversion programs, and/or community safety initiatives.

  • Knowledge of the Southwest Colorado region, its communities, and its cultural landscape.

  • Ability to work flexible hours.

The SCJC is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to equity, inclusion, and non-discrimination in hiring and employment. We value lived experience as an essential form of expertise. We strongly encourage people who have directly been impacted by the criminal justice system and/or have experienced structural or institutional harm to apply. We welcome applicants whose backgrounds may not follow traditional career trajectories.

Pay: $60,000 per year

Classification: Full-Time (30 hours/week)

Benefits:

  • Wellness Stipend

  • Laptop

  • Pro-Rated Vacation, Holiday and Sick Leave