Mediator 1 (County Court Mediator) - Mediation/Arbitration Division (County Funded)

Description

Salary is non-negotiable. The successful candidate will be hired at the minimum salary.

This is highly responsible professional work mediating cases referred by the county court in all branch court locations and circuit court for mediators with dual certifications. Mediators must also be able to mediate remotely utilizing the zoom platform. Mediators must be certified by the Florida Supreme Court. The Mediator advises parties of the mediation process, assists parties in resolving disputes, and prepares settlement agreements for review by the county or circuit courts and incorporation of agreements into orders, as appropriate. The Mediator is also responsible for maintaining required statistical data. Working relationships are established with judges, court personnel, attorneys, and the general public. The mediator must be able to travel to all branch court locations.

The Mediator exercises independent judgment and works under the supervision of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Director. Selected applicants will be required to participate in a simulated mediation and write a county court mediation agreement. 

This position is eligible for a hybrid remote work/onsite schedule after a 90-day period, as outlined by existing Circuit policies and procedures.

Responsibilities

It is the mediator's responsibility to facilitate discussions and communications between the parties. The goal is to help the parties reach an equitable settlement of their differences.

• Reviews cases referred to the program for appropriateness, reviews case files, confidential reports and other materials pertinent to the case.
• Conducts mediations, facilitating the discussion of legal issues between involved parties for court referred cases.
• Advises parties concerning the mediation process.
• Prepares settlement agreements, court orders or no agreement reports on all cases mediated.
• Prepares related documents to dispose of cases; submits agreements and documents to parties and judge for review and incorporation into final orders.
• Drafts court orders and forms to expedite case processing.
• Prepares and maintains statistical records and reports.
• Completes continuing education training on a regular basis to maintain mediation certification; and stays abreast of current standards and practices for certified and court appointed mediators.
• Travels to all court houses within Miami-Dade County.
• Performs other office related work as required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, law or a closely related field.
• Four (4) years of related experience.
• Florida Supreme Court Certification in County Court Mediation.
• Additional relevant experience may substitute for the recommended educational level on a year-for-year basis.
• Additional relevant education may substitute for the recommended experience on a year-for-year basis.
• Dual certification in Family or Dependency preferred.
• Bilingual in English/Spanish or English/Creole preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

• Experience in the legal system.
• Must be proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, Outlook and zoom platform.
• Thorough knowledge of Florida law, court rules and statutes pertaining to the required areas of Mediator certification.
• Thorough knowledge of conflict resolution techniques and negotiations processes and practices.
• Knowledge of group dynamics and interaction in person as well as remotely.
• Knowledge of and ability to apply methods of data collection and analysis.
• Ability to maintain integrity, impartiality, and professional competence are essential qualifications.
• Ability to prepare and maintain confidential case records.
• Ability to maintain an objective viewpoint and offer non-judgmental alternatives in highly emotional situations.
• Ability to deal with the very personal and the sensitive nature of certain family dynamics/issues.
• Ability to apply specialized knowledge to individual cases and problems.
• Ability to prepare for hearings, hear difficult cases, mediate multi-issue cases and prepare related documents including mediated agreement, reports to the court and any other document necessary for case management.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to present material clearly and logically in oral and written form to pro se and represented parties.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to work independently and establish work priorities.
• Ability to listen, talk, walk, sit, stand, reach with hands and carry a court file.
• Ability to travel to all courthouses is required.

Working Conditions/Physical Demands/Licenses Certifications

Working Conditions:

• Moderate noise; business office setting.

Physical Demands:

• Work involves a significant amount of standing, walking, sitting, talking, listening, and reaching with hands and arms; must be able to transfer up to 10 pounds.

Communication:

• Grammatically correct verbal and written skills are required.