Volunteer Community Mediator

NATURE OF WORK: Volunteer Mediators support the mission of Mediation Services of North Central MA, Inc. (MSI) by helping individuals resolve conflicts through structured, neutral, and confidential mediation. Our volunteer mediators’ work is key in supporting our mission to empower individuals to resolve disputes peacefully through communication and mutual understanding.

Key Responsibilities

• Volunteer Mediators facilitate mediation sessions in court-connected and community settings. They guide participants through the mediation process, including introductions, joint discussions, private caucuses, and agreement development. Mediators remain neutral at all times, do not provide legal advice, and ensure that all parties are heard and treated respectfully.
• Mediators are responsible for explaining the mediation process, maintaining confidentiality, and supporting participants in reaching mutually acceptable agreements. They may also assist with post-mediation documentation, including agreements and evaluation forms required for program reporting.

Training and Participation Requirements

• All volunteers must complete required mediation training in accordance with Massachusetts Uniform Rules on Dispute Resolution, which requires at a minimum of 30 hours of Basic Mediator Training, but 35-40 hours is recommended. New mediators begin by observing sessions, followed by co-mediating with experienced staff, before co-mediating with other volunteers.
• Volunteers are expected to participate in mediations approximately once per month and must sign up for opportunities through the designated scheduling system. Ongoing participation helps maintain and develop mediation skills.

Continuing Education- Volunteer Mediators must complete a minimum of six hours of continuing education annually. MSI offers free continuing education opportunities and encourages participation in additional relevant workshops or courses to enhance skills and knowledge.

Professional Standards and Expectations

• Mediators must uphold the core principles of mediation: voluntariness, neutrality, confidentiality, informed consent, and self-determination. They are expected to act with professionalism, integrity, and respect in all interactions with clients, staff, and community partners.
• Volunteers must maintain appropriate boundaries, avoid conflicts of interest, and communicate in a professional and timely manner. Personal appearance should reflect a professional, business-casual standard suitable for court and community environments.

Support and Supervision MSI provides ongoing supervision, mentorship, and evaluation. Coordinators are available during mediations to provide guidance and support as needed. Volunteers also participate in periodic evaluations to ensure quality and consistency of services.

WHAT YOU BRING TO THE ROLE:

• Commitment to Community- Volunteer Mediators contribute to improving access to justice and strengthening community relationships by offering an alternative to adversarial conflict resolution.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality, remain neutral and patience and ability to allow for self-determination of various client populations.
• Some programs require successful CORI (Criminal Offender Records Information Check Certification)
• Personal reference checks through MSI
• Ability to work collaboratively with agency staff
• Excellent communication skills in English (both written and verbal)
• Some flexibility in scheduling to meet youth program partner needs
• Must have reliable transportation and ability to travel to court or mediation locations
• Experience and/or ability to work with a wide range of cultures and learning abilities.
• Bilingual, particularly Spanish or Portuguese a plus

If you have not already taken a Basic Mediation Course satisfying Massachusetts Trial Court Rules, you must successfully complete one prior to applying to become part of our volunteer mediator panel. If you received your mediator training out of state or online, you may be required, at the Director’s discretion, to review our online training modules and participate in agency run roleplays and/or additional observations. Learn more about our organization or find information about training on our website at mediationncm.org.