Mediation/Arbitration Officer

State of Delaware; Delaware; On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Delaware's Family Court is seeking a qualified mediator/arbitrator to expeditiously process court petitions by mediating civil and criminal matters and drafting consent orders for judge approval.

The role requires education or relevant experience in dispute resolution, court operations, and strong interviewing and case management skills, with a commitment to fair access to justice and accurate recordkeeping.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher required.
• Four years of work experience within the court system involving case management, social service, case processing, or direct customer service.
• Four years of experience in dispute resolution.
• Six months experience in case management, which includes assessing, planning, developing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating options and services to meet an individual’s human service needs.
• Six months experience in interviewing using structured or unstructured interview techniques to obtain facts, explore issues, and identify courses of action.
• Six months experience in interpreting laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures.
• Knowledge of mediation or arbitration.

Responsibilities

• Interviews petitioner to assess nature of complaint, relief sought and explain procedures for filing petition.
• Conducts mediation session with petitioner and respondent to define issues, assess relief sought and negotiate mutually acceptable terms; prepares consent orders stating conditions of agreement and submits to judge for an approval.
• Acts as hearing officer for delinquent/criminal complaints; conducts fact finding session with parties involved and imposes appropriate conditions to provide for restitution and prevent repeated offenses; follows up with parties involved to insure compliance with court order.
• Mediates emergency petitions to obtain temporary agreement; prepares report to judge when agreement can't be reached describing issues, parties’ positions and recommendations for appropriate action.
• Conducts custody, visitation and special investigations as directed by judge; obtains and evaluates background information on social, psychological, emotional and family stability; prepares report with findings and recommendations and disposition of case.
• Prepares and maintains accurate statistical records of number, type and disposition of cases.
• Provides information on court functions and jurisdiction and assistance to clients by community referral.

Skills

Bachelor's degree or higher

Four years of work experience in court

Four years of dispute resolution

Six months in case management

Six months interviewing

Six months interpreting laws

Knowledge of mediation/arbitration

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

Associate degree

Job description

Introduction

Family Court’s mission is to provide equal access to justice for the families and children under its jurisdiction in a manner that is fair and efficient and that maintains the public’s trust and confidence in an independent and accountable judiciary.

We strive each day to build an atmosphere that ensures all members of the public are treated with courtesy, dignity, and respect. We strive to have the same environment for our staff and value a diverse workforce.

We offer career opportunities that make a difference in people’s lives every day. Come join our team where our goal is to operate Family Court through great staff across the state.

Summary Statement

This class is responsible for expediting the processing of court petitions filed with Family Court by performing mediation and/or arbitration of civil and criminal cases.

Essential Functions

Essential functions are fundamental, core functions common to all positions in the class series and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties for any one position in the class. Since class specifications are descriptive and not restrictive, incumbents can complete job duties of similar kind not specifically listed here.

• Interviews petitioner to assess nature of complaint, relief sought and explain procedures for filing petition.
• Conducts mediation session with petitioner and respondent to define issues, assess relief sought and negotiate mutually acceptable terms; prepares consent orders stating conditions of agreement and submits to judge for an approval.
• Acts as hearing officer for delinquent/criminal complaints; conducts fact finding session with parties involved and imposes appropriate conditions to provide for restitution and prevent repeated offenses; follows up with parties involved to insure compliance with court order.
• Mediates emergency petitions to obtain temporary agreement; prepares report to judge when agreement can't be reached describing issues, parties’ positions and recommendations for appropriate action.
• Conducts custody, visitation and special investigations as directed by judge; obtains and evaluates background information on social, psychological, emotional and family stability; prepares report with findings and recommendations and disposition of case.
• Prepares and maintains accurate statistical records of number, type and disposition of cases.
• Provides information on court functions and jurisdiction and assistance to clients by community referral.

Job Requirements

Applicants must have education, training, and experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas:

• Applicants must possess at least one of the following:
• A bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university, OR
• Four years of work experience within the court system involving case management, social service, case processing, or direct customer service, OR
• Four years of experience in dispute resolution, OR
• An associate degree from an accredited college or university and either (i) two years of work experience within the court system involving case management, social service, case processing, or direct customer service, or (ii) two years of experience in dispute resolution.
• Six months experience in case management, which includes assessing, planning, developing,

implementing, monitoring, and evaluating options and services to meet an individual’s human service

needs.

• Six months experience in interviewing using structured or unstructured interview techniques to obtain

facts, explore issues, and identify courses of action.

• Six months experience in interpreting laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures.
• Knowledge of mediation or arbitration.

Conditions of Hire

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

The State of Delaware participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your form I-9 information to confirm you are authorized to work in the U.S.

This position is a classification organized under an exclusive bargaining representative (labor organization) that has been elected by employees as their representative for collective bargaining and other applicable terms and conditions of employment, in accordance with Title 29, Chapter 59 and Title 19, Chapter 13 and 16. This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement based on its individual terms.

Criminal background check: A satisfactory criminal background check is required as a condition of hire. The recruiting agency may require the applicant to pay for the criminal background check as part of the conditional offer of hire.

Selection Process

The application and supplemental questionnaire are evaluated based upon a rating of your education, training and experience as they relate to the job requirements of the position. It is essential that you provide complete and accurate information on your application and the supplemental questionnaire to include dates of employment, job title and job duties. For education and training, list name of educational provider, training course titles and summary of course content. Narrative information supplied in response to the questions must be supported by the information supplied on the application including your employment, education and training history as it relates to the job requirements.

Accommodations

Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities in all phases of the application and employment process. To request an auxiliary aid or service please call [phone]. TDD users should call the Delaware Relay Service Number 1-800-232-5460 for assistance.

The State of Delaware is an Equal Opportunity employer and values a diverse workforce. We strongly encourage and seek out a workforce representative of Delaware including race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.