Appeals Mediation Officer

The Appeals Mediation Officer works within the District of Columbia Court of Appeals. As the highest court for the District of Columbia, the Court of Appeals is authorized to review all final orders, judgments, and specified interlocutory orders. The Appeals Mediation Officer, in consultation with the Mediation Program Coordinator, assists with the execution of mediations conducted under the auspices of the appellate mediation program.

Duties

Brief Description of Duties:

• Executes program policies and procedures for the appellate mediation office, which may involve consultation and collaboration with judges, executives, lawyer advisory groups, the bar, and parties.
• Selects cases for mediation based upon consultation with the mediation program coordinator and the parties or their attorneys.
• Exercises judgment and discretion regarding the selection of cases based upon the facts, circumstances, and input presented.
• Drafts court orders regarding matters that are eligible for mediation.
• Provides technical and administrative support and mentoring to mediators during the mediation process.
• Schedules mediations and maintains the mediation calendar.
• Assists with filing, maintaining adequate supplies, record-keeping, and data collection while maintaining the confidentiality of mediation records.
• Creates reports to track and analyze the progress of cases through the mediation process.
• Conducts research and prepares memoranda and other written materials on issues related to alternative dispute resolution.
• Assists with educating the public, the bar, and other organizations about court mediation programs.
• Assists with developing and participating in the delivery of training for personnel as assigned.
• Stays abreast of national standards, rules, statutes, and case law governing the conduct of mediation.

Salary

• $82,764 - $107,590/year

Conditions of Employment

• A background check and security investigation is required.
• A probationary period of one year (1) is required for all new court employees.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience

A bachelor's degree and three (3) years of experience in a legal or court environment, including a minimum of one (1) year of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) experience. Must have 40 hours of basic mediation training from an appellate or alternative dispute resolution mediation program, or equivalent successful completion of a law school Mediation Course.

Completion of such mediation training, or law school mediation course, must be demonstrated by submission of a copy of the mediation training certificate, or the law school mediation course description and law school transcripts.

Preferred Education and Experience

A Juris Doctorate degree and two (2) years of experience in a legal or court environment as a trained and experienced mediator. Knowledge of a variety of mediation techniques, models and resources are also preferred.

The incumbent should be an enthusiastic and engaged professional who enjoys working with a diverse group of Court personnel and customers and lives the DC Courts' values of Accountability, Excellence, Fairness, Integrity, Respect, and Transparency.

Education At a minimum, candidates must possess a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. You must upload a copy of your college transcript or degree for consideration. The transcript must show the name of the college or university, your name, degree conferred date, a list of courses with credit hours, major(s), and grade-point average or class ranking. Foreign Education: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must upload a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript at the time of application to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/ Other Information This job is being filled by an alternative hiring process and is not in the competitive Federal civil service. Please note there is a mandatory one-year probationary period for all new court employees. All required documents must be received by the vacancy announcement closing date. Required Documents

The following documents must be submitted with your application:

1. Resume
2. Completed Assessment Questionnaire
3. Documentation /Proof of Education (e.g. copy of college transcript or degree). Conferral date must be listed on your transcript.
4. Proof of Certification (e.g. copy of 40 hours of mediation training certificate or copy of equivalent mediation law school course description and law school transcripts)
5. Three (3) professional references

How to Apply

Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin the application. To apply and be considered for this position, you must complete all required questionnaires and assessments and submit all required documentation as specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. The application process is as follows:

1. Click the Apply Online button.
2. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation.
3. Click the Submit Application button before 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date.

To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.

To view the announcement status or your application status: Click on this: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/. Your application status page is where you can view your application status, USA Hire assessment completion status, and review your notifications sent by the hiring agency regarding your application.

Benefits The DC Courts is an independent branch of the District of Columbia Government and is not under the authority of the City Mayor or the D. C. Council. DC Courts' appropriation comes directly from Congress. All DC Courts non-judicial employees receive federal benefits for the following programs: Life Insurance, Retirement Benefits, Health Insurance and Workers Compensation. Please click on the following for more information about these benefits: http://www.opm.gov/Insure/health/enrollment/new_employees.asp The DC Courts leave policy is as follows: Annual Leave: New full-time employees earn four (4) hours of annual leave biweekly. After three (3) years of service this increases to six (6) hours biweekly, and at 15 years it increases to (8) hours biweekly. Most military, federal and District of Columbia government service counts toward the time required to go into the next higher annual leave category. Employees can carry over no more than 240 hours of annual leave into the next leave year. Sick Leave is used for personal medical needs, care of a family member, or adoption related purposes. Full-time employees earn four (4) hours of sick leave biweekly. This leave can be accrued without limit. In addition to the federal health plans, the DC Courts offer employees supplemental vision and dental plans as well as a commuter transit benefit subsidy, for a maximum of $150 a month. There are 26 pay periods in the year.