Volunteer Negotiation Instructor

SEEKING VOLUNTEERS TO TEACH NEGOTIATION CLASSES FOR

HISTORICALLY MARGINALIZED MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY

• Do you have an interest in social justice, law, social work, education, or psychology?
• Do you use negotiation to work through conflicts or when trying to come to an agreement with work colleagues, clients, supervisors, family members, or friends?
• Do you enjoy teaching, and would you like to help historically marginalized members of our community who would benefit from strong negotiation skills?

Through innovative negotiation and self-advocacy training, NEGOTIATION WORKS empowers people emerging from difficult and often traumatic situations—such as incarceration, homelessness, addiction, and domestic violence—to better navigate their everyday challenges and to live the next chapters of their lives confidently and productively.

Join our efforts to ensure all members of our community learn practical strategies for approaching conflicts and become more effective self-advocates. Particularly in the current climate, the negotiation skills taught by Negotiation Works are critical, meaningful, and impactful for individuals who are already struggling to maintain stability.

ABOUT OUR PROGRAM

Our signature program consists of multi-week negotiation courses tailored for historically marginalized individuals. The curriculum addresses foundational negotiation strategies and dispute resolution skills, including identifying personal priorities, considering various perspectives and solutions, and taking initiative to achieve one’s goals. We connect these negotiation strategies to everyday scenarios familiar to participants, such as child custody issues, apartment security deposit returns, and family probate disputes. Each class session includes games and interactive role-play simulations to engage the participants and let them practice new skills immediately.

We partner with the DC Jail and community-based providers who serve individuals returning to the community from prison, experiencing homelessness, living in domestic violence shelters, and dealing with other challenging life situations. The courses are typically made up of 4 to 8 classes, depending on the needs of the partner-provider, and we customize the curriculum for each group served. Most organizations engage with Negotiation Works for multiple courses throughout the year to support all of their clients as they cycle through their programs.

VOLUNTEERS INSTRUCTORS: QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING

Negotiation Works is currently accepting applications for volunteer instructors for its 2026 courses. All classes are taught by two co-instructors, take place at service provider locations in the community, meet once a week for 1-1.5 hours for an entire four to eight week session, and are usually held during weekday, daytime hours. Classes are typically offered on-site and, when necessary, remotely.

Preferred qualifications of volunteer instructors:

• Prior teaching or training experience, involving adults or youth
• Familiarity with negotiation theory and practice
• Interest in and experience working with historically marginalized communities

Priority will be given to applicants who are available to teach on-site in the metropolitan DC area during workday hours. Some teaching opportunities in Baltimore or Laurel might also be available. Instructors who will teach at the DC Jail will need to complete additional training sessions run by the DC Department of Corrections.

Instructor training includes:

• Comprehensive training manual
• Observation of at least two actual Negotiation Works classes
• Twelve-hour training program, held over multiple weekends. Training program includes instruction on the use of our engaging and interactive curriculum, overview of negotiation theories, guidance on best teaching strategies, discussion of trauma-informed programs, opportunity to practice teaching a lesson, and more
• Ongoing mentoring

HOW TO APPLY

If interested in applying to join our team of dedicated volunteer instructors, please (1) complete this application and (2) send your resume and list of two professional references to melissa@negotiation-works.org. Applications for the 2026 cohort will be considered on a rolling basis, with a January 30, 2026 deadline. The tentative training schedule is for new volunteer instructors to observe actual Negotiation Works classes throughout the spring, followed by in-person training in early summer.

MORE INFORMATION

Questions? Please email melissa@negotiation-works.org.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn, and visit our website at www.negotiation-works.org. We look forward to hearing from you soon!