Part-Time Program Associate OR Full-Time Senior Program Associate

Program Summary

A program of Child and Family Services, the Community Mediation Center (CMC) helps individuals and organizations throughout WNY to have difficult conversations through mediation, conflict coaching, and Restorative Justice initiatives toward peaceful and meaningful solutions and resolving disagreement.

CMC is part of a statewide network of Community Dispute Resolution Centers that provides free and low-cost dispute resolution programs that support disputing parties to develop their own solutions to matters that might otherwise bring them to court or have already put them in litigation. Services are provided by a team of professional staff and trained volunteer community mediators.

Position Summary:

The Community Mediation Center (CMC) at Child and Family Services (C+FS) seeks an experienced community dispute resolution professional to serve as a Program Associate/Senior Program Associate supporting our Crime Victims Justice Project (CVJP). CVJP is a unique project - one of the first of its kind - to pair ADR processes with traditional legal services to create additional access to justice options and resources for clients. CMC administers the project and provides ADR services together with partners like Haven House, as well as the Center for Elder Law and Justice (CELJ) and Volunteer Lawyers Project (VLP), who provide legal information and representation to project clients. The Program Associate/Senior Program Associate will provide case management and ADR service provision (mediation, conflict coaching and restorative practices) to victims of crime and other vulnerable populations, particularly to the elderly population. A proven ability to build trust with victims of crime is required for the position.

This position currently offers a hybrid work environment with a combination of an in office and work from home schedule. Candidate may be required to work outside of typical workhours, in order to develop ADR practice schedule that meets the needs of CVJP clients.

There is currently one position open through this posting – either a Part-Time Program Associate or a Full-Time Senior Program Associate. If applying as a Senior Program Associate, applicants must have already completed our Basic Mediation and Conflict Coaching trainings and apprenticeship.

Responsibilities include:

• Talking with members of our community who identify as victims of crime about their disputes and explaining our services by phone or in-person. This includes supporting individuals as they share emotional and difficult stories about conflict that is taking a toll on their day-to-day life.
• Screening parties to determine the appropriateness of a matter for mediation and/or ability of a party to effectively engage in the mediation or conflict coaching process.
• Scheduling mediations and assigning mediators or other ADR professionals to provide the service as part of the complete case management process.
• Hosting sessions either in-person, at our CMC office, or in various community locations across WNY, or on our virtual mediation platform.
• Initiating, maintaining and closing electronic case records with great attention to detail.
• Serving as a mediator/co-mediator and conflict coach as necessary.
• Building and sustaining relationships with community stakeholders.

Our best candidate:

• Believes that
• • Resolving conflict is an important key to the overall health of our neighbors and our community
• Collaborative, community relationships can affect positive, systemic change
• Diversity in ideas and in people fosters an atmosphere of equity and inclusion
• Victims of crime and/or the elderly population can and should be provided the opportunity to have a voice and a choice in developing solutions to address their needs
• Is excited about joining a project that works differently across legal and social services systems to improve the lives of our clients
• Has excellent interpersonal engagement and communication skills
• Can skillfully build trust with vulnerable populations
• Enjoys presenting to community groups
• Enjoys direct client work and project administration
• Is willing to explore, identify, and work collaboratively with a variety of community stakeholders and partner agencies

Minimum Requirements:

• Experience working with victims of crime and understanding how trauma can impact people and communities
• Prioritizes victim's safety and confidentiality
• For Full-Time Senior Program Associate position, worked in ADR field for at least one year at time of hire for this position and is in good standing
• For Full-Time Senior Program Associate position, completed Basic Mediation Training and apprenticeship as well as Conflict Coaching Training

Competitive Pay Range of $ $26.00 per hour

C+FS offers full-time employees the benefits below to support our employees and their families and help to create a healthy work environment:

• Paid Time Off (PTO), paid holidays and bereavement time
• Employer Paid Life Insurance
• Medical insurance options
• Dental insurance options
• Vision insurance options
• Wellness Program and Incentives
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Healthcare Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Dependent Care FSA Retirement
• Employee Referral Bonus
• Qualifying Employer for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)
• 403(b) Right Away and Employer-Contributions

Child and Family Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer:

Child and Family Services provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran or familial status, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Child and Family Services complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.