Job Title:                Mediation Specialist, Landlord Tenant Mediation,

Reports to:            Mediation Coordinator, Landlord Tenant

Hourly pay:            $20.60/hour

Status:                    Part-time, 30 hours/week

SUMMARY

 

The Mediation Specialist works closely with individuals, seniors, and families in Cuyahoga County who are at great risk of losing their housing. The Mediation Specialist accepts referrals from the general public, community organizations, and landlords. The Mediation Specialist speaks with the clients about their situation and schedules a mediation with their landlord. The Mediation Specialist will provide referrals and linkages to other services as needed, particularly referrals to other agencies for rental assistance or legal help for eviction prevention.

 

The Mediation Specialist mediates disputes that often center around back rent owed, repair issues, financial hardships, communication challenges, rental assistance, payment plan agreements, noise disturbances and more. Mediations will occur virtually and in-person depending on the comfort level of the parties. This is a part-time position working 30 hours a week. This position is currently splitting time between working remotely from home three days a week with two days in the office.

 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS 

 

1. Accepts referrals for mediation from the general public, community organizations, and courts for individuals who are at risk of losing their rental housing.

2. Outreaches to landlords and tenants to schedule mediations, speaking with both parties beforehand to explain the mediation process.

3. Mediates between landlords and tenants to prevent eviction so that the tenant can stay in housing.

4. Outreaches to community members in conflict to explain the mediation process.

5. Mediates and provides conflict coaching between neighbors and other community members in conflict.

6. Provides community members with referrals and linkages to other services as needed.

7. Documents mediations and conflict coaching in an Excel Sheet.

8. Ensures compliance with and documentation/record keeping for agency and project, funding and requirements by maintaining and reporting accurate and timely documentation and statistical data.

9. Complies with established service plans, federal, state, and local laws, and professional standards of conduct.

10. Ensures that all fiscal transactions follow standard agency procedures as authorized for emergency situations.

 

ADDITIONAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

1. Speaks and acts in a manner that is sensitive and responsive to a person’s ethnic, cultural and developmental background, to any disabling conditions, and to conditions that may affect the person’s ability to form accurate perceptions, process information, understand directions, and communicate important information.

2. Consistently interacts with members of this organization and other organizations in a respectful, professional manner; productively contributes to the functioning of an interdisciplinary team.

3. Participates in various standing, functional and ad hoc committee groups.

4. Maintains current awareness of new developments in the field by reading professional literature and attending conferences and seminars.

5. Assumes additional responsibilities and performs special projects as needed or directed.

 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education, Training and/or Experience

1. Prior work and knowledge or interest in mediation and/or conflict resolution. 

2. Experience working with people from different economic and cultural backgrounds.

3. Commitment and ability to engage in an empathetic, non-judgmental way with people in stressful situations – to establish rapport in order to help them resolve their immediate housing crisis and commitment to treating people with dignity and respect.

4. Commitment to providing equitable and quality services. Ability or openness to being self-reflective in practices to improve non-bias and nonjudgmental services that builds genuine trusting relationships with various communities.

5. Developed knowledge of homelessness, and related community resources.

6. Be willing to attend Safe Space training and espouse the philosophy of being a Safe Space for those in the LGBTQI+ community.

7. Able to work effectively as part of a team.

8. Creative and flexible problem-solving skills.

9. Computer skills; word processing and spreadsheet software capabilities.

Certifications, Licenses, Registrations

Valid Ohio driver’s license with good driving record and proof of insurance; adhering to the minimum requirements of Ohio’s Financial Responsibility Act.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Personal Characteristics

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Previously attended Basic Mediation Training and/or college level classes in mediation or conflict resolution.

Prior experience in facilitating mediations.

Spanish speaking is a plus

To apply, please send a resume and cover letter to Danielle Cosgrove at danielle.cosgrove@clevelandmediation.org.