Mediator

Pima County; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 53,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ASRS retirement plan

Paid vacation and holidays

Parental leave (12 weeks)

Job summary

Pima County Juvenile Court seeks a Mediator to provide specialized court-based Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) services for cases in juvenile court, under the Dispute Resolution Program Manager. The role focuses on multi-party mediation, neutral facilitation, and collaborative problem solving for families and caregivers.

The position emphasizes confidentiality, de-escalation skills, and ability to work with judges, court staff, and community partners in emotionally charged situations.

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree with specialization in conflict resolution or two years of professional experience.
• Equivalent combination approved by Human Resources.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience in legal or courtroom setting.
• Knowledge in alternative dispute resolution (ADR).
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook.

Responsibilities

• Conducts multi-party court-based settlement conferences, mediation, and other ADR sessions for Juvenile Court in high-conflict cases.
• Develops professional relationships with judges, court personnel, attorneys, DCS personnel and community agencies.
• Pre-session case review and drafting of legally relevant documents (case agreements, outcome reports, court orders).
• Assists with training DCS staff, community partners, and court staff on ADR and conflict resolution.
• Maintains ADR referral and session data; coordinates schedules across multiple calendars.

Skills

Conflict resolution

Courtroom/Legal familiarity

ADR knowledge

Written communication

Verbal communication

Mediation training

Education

Master’s Degree in conflict resolution

Two years of professional experience

Equivalent combination approved by HR

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

Outlook

Job description

Job Description Summary

Under the supervision of the Dispute Resolution Program Manager, the Mediator is primarily responsible for providing specialized court-based Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) services for cases held at Pima County Juvenile Court in the achievement of Pima County Juvenile Court's mission, vision, and values.

Job Description

This position will remain open until filled.

Hiring rate

$62,337.60 Annually

Distinguishing Characteristics

This is a classified position that reports to Dispute Resolution Program Manager. The incumbent performs duties under general supervision and has no managerial responsibilities.

Important Notice Regarding Multiple Applications

Once a candidate formally accepts a job offer with Superior Court, Juvenile Court, or Justice Court, all other active applications they may have submitted for different roles within these courts will be inactivated. This ensures clarity in our hiring process and allows us to focus on onboarding and supporting the candidate in their new role.

We appreciate your interest in joining our team.

Minimum Qualifications

A Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university with either a specialization in conflict resolution OR two years of professional experience. OR any equivalent combination of experience, training and/or education approved by Human Resources.

Preferred Qualifications

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to interact professionally and effectively with judges, court staff, administrators, and the general public.
• Experience working in legal or courtroom setting.
• Knowledge in or experience with alternative dispute resolution.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.

Preference may be given to candidates with a current United States license to practice law; a Juris Doctorate (JD) from an accredited College or University; AND/OR, at least one year of mediation experience

Essential Duties & Functions

• Conducts multi-party court-based settlement conferences, mediation, and other ADR sessions for the Juvenile Court in litigated cases involving high conflict in a neutral and confidential manner. Assists parties and their counsel in communicating, understanding the perspectives and positions of one another, understanding the needs of children, and resolving disputes. Cases primarily involve abuse and neglect issues, but may also address guardianship, domestic relations, termination of parental rights, emancipation, post adoption contact, legal alternatives to dependency actions, delinquency, and other issues. Sessions include, but are not limited to, Settlement Conferences, Parenting Plan Mediations, and General Mediations.
• Develops a professional relationship with judges, court personnel, attorneys, Department of Child Safety (DCS) personnel and community agencies.
• Reviews each referred case thoroughly prior to the session, and drafts legally relevant paperwork at the conclusion of a session such as case agreements, outcome reports and court orders for the Judge assigned to the case.
• Assists with the training of DCS staff, community collaborators, court staff and support staff on ADR, conflict resolution and related topics.
• Assists with data maintenance for ADR referrals and completed sessions.
• Conducts community awareness programs through community outreach efforts, including education and training presentations.
• Serves as an information source to the court and collaborative agencies.
• Coordinates schedules, using multiple calendar tracking systems.

Additional Responsibilities/Duties

• Participates in court leadership meetings to discuss court goals, progress, and development of programs.
• Assists dependency coworkers by facilitating pre-hearing conferences as needed.
• Facilitates the “What Is a Dependency” class as needed.
• Performs other related duties and projects as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Must have general mediation training and knowledge of conflict resolution techniques, including management of highly emotional, high conflict situations in multi-party, multiagency cases, and the ability to de-escalate volatile situations while maintaining neutrality.
• Must have knowledge of the child dependency system, and juvenile dependency law.
• Must have some knowledge of the legal system including court processes, rules, procedures, and operations.
• Must demonstrate sensitivity to family dynamics in situations involving substance abuse, mental illness, domestic violence and low-income.
• Must have the ability to mediate complex issues with many parties with a high degree of autonomy over the course of a full workday.
• Must have skills to manage imbalances in power during ADR sessions.
• Must demonstrate sensitivity, and effectively communicate with clients and their extended families, court staff, community stakeholders, and the general public.
• Must have knowledge of the principles of data analysis.
• Must establish and maintain effective working relationships, to work under stress, and manage time-sensitive duties.
• Must have excellent writing skills and knowledge of word processing and skills in operating a computer and office equipment, and a working knowledge of Microsoft Office and be able to complete written ADR documents during an ADR session.

Licenses And Certificates

Must have a valid Arizona Driver’s license on the date of appointment.

Physical/Sensory Items

Typically performs duties in an office environment and may lift materials and/or equipment 20 lbs or less.

We Offer Exceptional Benefits

• Retirement Plan - Arizona State Retirement Plan (ASRS)
• 15 paid vacation days, 12 holidays, and 15 days of sick leave
• 12 weeks of 100% paid parental leave
• Employer-paid Short-term Disability
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Health Wellness discount program
• Mental and Behavioral Health Benefits
• Paid Training with Advancement Opportunities
• Upon yearly anniversary, 56 hours of sick time accrued, less usage, may be rolled over to vacation time.

The Arizona Superior Court in Pima County and the Pima County Juvenile Court Center offer the same benefits as those offered to other employees working for Pima County. We offer a competitive benefits package to benefits eligible employees, which includes medical, dental, life insurance, flexible spending accounts, paid vacation and sick leave. Some benefits require contributions by employees in addition to contributions made by the employer. Please see the link below for a complete description of the offerings.

Retirement Plan participation is mandatory for all eligible employees to include a mandatory pre-tax pay deduction. Plan eligibility is determined by many factors including prior plan participation and position eligibility. Current rates can be viewed here: ASRS Contribution Rates Full-time employees of government organizations may be able to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information click Student Loan Forgiveness | Federal Student Aid.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, protected veteran status, political interest, or any other characteristic or category protected by local, state, or federal law.