Mediation Arbitration Officer (#UAFZ07)
$37,064.25 Yearly Min / $49,567.00 Yearly Mid / $59,480.00 Yearly Max

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.

This is mediation/arbitration work at the full performance level with the responsibility for assisting individuals to reach agreement on domestic, civil or criminal disputes involving custody, child support, visitation, imperiled family relations and delinquent/criminal misdemeanor charges. Work is performed with general supervision from a technical or administrative superior and requires analytical thinking and is carried out in accordance with precedents and well defined policies. A significant aspect of the work will involve interviewing petitioners, assessment and evaluation of complaint, negotiation of mutually acceptable decisions, determination of appropriate restitution for offenses and report preparation and accommodations. Incumbents in this position will perform one or more of a variety of tasks listed below

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.

The intent of the listed knowledge, skills and abilities is to give a general indication of the core requirements for all positions in the class series; therefore, the KSA’s listed are not exhaustive or necessarily inclusive of the requirements of every position in the class.

• Knowledge of the methods and techniques of eliciting sensitive information from persons of various socio-economic backgrounds.
• Knowledge of group dynamics and inter/intra family relationships.
• Knowledge of the social, psychological and economic causes of domestic and family disturbances.
• Knowledge of the methods and techniques of report preparation.
• Knowledge of the methods and techniques of conducting field investigations.
• Skill in eliciting and evaluating sensitive information from persons of various socio-economic backgrounds.
• Ability to learn applicable department policies and procedures and the Delaware Code.
• Ability to learn and apply mediation/arbitration methods and techniques as they related to child support, custody and visitation.
• Ability to conduct mediation sessions and arbitration hearings.
• Ability to remain calm and impartial in stressful situations.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients and co-workers.

JOB REQUIREMENTS for Mediation/Arbitration Officer 
Applicants must have education, training and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas:

1. Possession of a Bachelors degree or higher in Behavioral Science or Social Science or related field.
2. Six months experience in case management which includes assessing, planning, developing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating options and services to meet an individuals human service needs.
3. Six months experience in interviewing using structured or unstructured interview techniques to obtain facts, explore issues and identify courses of action.
4. Six months experience in interpreting laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures. 
5. Knowledge of mediation or arbitration.