Arbitrator, Mediator, and Conciliator

Also called: Alternative Dispute Resolution Coordinator (ADR Coordinator), Alternative Dispute Resolution Mediator (ADR Mediator), Arbiter, Arbitrator, Community Relations Representative

Varies

estimated salary

Arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators facilitate negotiation and conflict resolution through dialogue. Resolve conflicts outside of the court system by mutual consent of parties involved.

  • Prepare written opinions or decisions regarding cases.
  • Apply relevant laws, regulations, policies, or precedents to reach conclusions.
  • Conduct hearings to obtain information or evidence relative to disposition of claims.
  • Use mediation techniques to facilitate communication between disputants, to further parties' understanding of different perspectives, and to guide parties toward mutual agreement.
  • Confer with disputants to clarify issues, identify underlying concerns, and develop an understanding of their respective needs and interests.
  • Rule on exceptions, motions, or admissibility of evidence.
  • Conduct initial meetings with disputants to outline the arbitration process, settle procedural matters, such as fees, or determine details, such as witness numbers or time requirements.
  • Issue subpoenas or administer oaths to prepare for formal hearings.
  • Prepare settlement agreements for disputants to sign.
  • Set up appointments for parties to meet for mediation.
  • Research laws, regulations, policies, or precedent decisions to prepare for hearings.
  • Determine extent of liability according to evidence, laws, or administrative or judicial precedents.
  • Authorize payment of valid claims.
  • Interview claimants, agents, or witnesses to obtain information about disputed issues.
  • Conduct studies of appeals procedures to ensure adherence to legal requirements or to facilitate disposition of cases.
  • Recommend acceptance or rejection of compromise settlement offers.
  • Evaluate information from documents, such as claim applications, birth or death certificates, or physician or employer records.
  • Specialize in the negotiation and resolution of environmental conflicts involving issues such as natural resource allocation or regional development planning.
  • Organize or deliver public presentations about mediation to organizations, such as community agencies or schools.
  • Participate in court proceedings.
Work Context
  • Freedom to Make Decisions — 96% responded "A lot of freedom".
  • Spend Time Sitting — 83% responded "Continually or almost continually".
  • Importance of Being Exact or Accurate — 79% responded "Extremely important".
  • Structured versus Unstructured Work — 70% responded "A lot of freedom".
  • Electronic Mail — 48% responded "Every day".
  • Face-to-Face Discussions — 41% responded "Once a week or more but not every day".
  • Frequency of Conflict Situations — 48% responded "Every day".
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Work Activities
  • Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  • Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
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Detailed Work Activities
  • Meet with individuals involved in legal processes to provide information and clarify issues.
  • Arbitrate disputes between parties to resolve legal conflicts.
  • Coordinate legal schedules or activities.
  • Prepare legal documents.
  • Present social services program information to the public.
  • Prepare written decisions for legal proceedings.
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Knowledge

English Language
  • Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Law and Government
  • Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
Personnel and Human Resources
  • Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
Psychology
  • Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.

Skills

Negotiation
  • Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
Active Listening
  • Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Writing
  • Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Speaking
  • Talking to others to convey information effectively.
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Abilities

Oral Comprehension
  • The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Oral Expression
  • The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Written Expression
  • The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
Inductive Reasoning
  • The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
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Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Achievement/Effort
  • Persistence
  • Initiative
  • Leadership
  • Cooperation
  • Concern for Others
  • Social Orientation
  • Self Control
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Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Enterprise resource planning ERP software
  • Enterprise resource planning ERP software Hot Technology
  • SAP Hot Technology
  • Oracle PeopleSoft Hot Technology
Customer relationship management CRM software
  • Salesforce software Hot Technology
Word processing software
  • Microsoft Word Hot Technology
  • Word processing software
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