SLPC is now accepting applications for youth volunteers for the Fall/Spring Semester of 2026. Interviews will be done in June/July. Final selection will be done in August. Applications close July 31st.

Youth Volunteers

Youth volunteers serve as panelists and mentors. To prepare for their responsibilities youth volunteers attend training during the summer on the principles of restorative justice, court procedures, communication skills, conflict resolution, bias awareness, and mentoring.

Position: Youth Volunteer (Panelist/Mentor)

Supervisors: Program Director and Program Coordinator

Description: Youth volunteers conduct court hearings and develop dispositions (sentences) for referred youth. Youth volunteers base dispositions on the three principles of restorative justice: accountability, skill development, and community connection. Rather than punish referred youth, Peer Court’s youth volunteers support them by encouraging them to reach their full academic, social, and creative potential.

Outside of the courtroom youth volunteers mentor (one-on-one) referred youth every week- meeting in person or communicating over the phone. By providing weekly support and guidance Peer Court youth volunteers harness the positive aspects of peer pressure to encourage responsibility, personal growth through pro-social skill development, and community connection.

Time Period: One academic school year

Hours: 3 hours per week- 2.5 hours on Monday evening and 0.5 hour during the week by phone. Volunteers attend court at the Utah Law and Justice Center evenings from 5:30pm to 8:00pm during the Salt Lake City School District’s academic school year and ONCE a month during the Summer months (June, July August). Court is not held on holidays nor school breaks.

Qualifications:

  • Current high school students (need to be in 9th 10th, 11th, or 12th grade for the 2024/2025 school year)
  • Strong written or verbal communication
  • Strong interpersonal skills
  • Commitment to confidentiality, honesty, and ethics
  • Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment, to work with diverse groups of people, and to collaborate with other community organizations
  • Multicultural sensitivity and sensitivity to needs of clients, clients’ families, visitors, co-workers, volunteers, and other persons with whom you may interact
  • Commitment to mission and philosophy of Salt Lake Peer Court

Application Process:

Thank you for your interest in being a youth volunteer with Salt Lake Peer Court for the 2026/2027 school year. Please complete the following application. Applications are due by July 31st 2026.

Please allow yourself at least an hour to complete this application. There are essay questions that will require thought and explanation. You will not be able to save and return to your application later. An in person interview will also be conducted for those selected to move on to the next step.  

Youth Volunteer Form