Appeals Mediation Officer

About the role

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.

What you will do

• 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.

Requirements

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

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 conferral 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:***

How you will be evaluated

Upon receipt of your complete application package, a review of your application will be made to ensure that you meet the basic qualification requirements. Answers submitted in the questionnaire must be supported by your resume. Your resume must reflect the relevant experience and demonstrate that you meet the minimum qualifications, or your application will not be considered.

You may preview the assessment questionnaire by clicking here:***

Documents you must provide

• Resume Completed Assessment Questionnaire Documentation /Proof of Education (e.g. copy of college transcript or degree).
• Conferral date must be listed on your transcript.
• 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) Three (3) professional references

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: *** 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.

What to expect next

Once your completed application is received, the qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. All applicants will be notified of the final outcome.

Additional information

This job is being filled by an alternative hiring process and is not in the competitive Federal civil service. Please note that 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.