What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Mediation Programs position at Mediation Center of Dutchess County, Inc.?
ABOUT THE POSITION
The Mediation Center of Dutchess County is looking for a proactive and adaptable individual to join our team. You will be responsible for the implementation of our civil mediation programs covering a variety of case types along with the development of new programming to meet emerging community needs. In this key position, direct contact with clients will be your main focus, including conducting client intakes, coordinating case reviews, mediating cases, case management, agreement writing, and answering general inquiries about our services. You will also support newly trained mediators in their skill development, manage the agency’s roster of volunteer mediators, and serve as the agency’s liaison with various courts throughout Dutchess County (e.g. Family Court, Poughkeepsie City Court, Beacon City Court, town/village courts, etc.). You'll need to anticipate needs in a dynamic, shifting environment and handle them with minimal direction. Reporting to and working closely with the Executive Director, you'll engage with clients and stakeholders from a wide variety of backgrounds and social strata. Extensive training will be provided; previous mediation experience is not required.
This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the person in this role; it does not specify all required tasks and there will be other duties as assigned. We are a small agency of five dedicated team members, where everyone, including managers, gets hands-on with the work. If you thrive in a collaborative, mission-driven setting and are ready to make an impact, we encourage you to apply.
ABOUT MCDC
We are an established volunteer-driven nonprofit providing alternative dispute resolution services to individual, families, and groups. MCDC trains, apprentices, and practices exclusively in the Transformative Mediation model. We are mission-driven, not profit-driven; read more at dutchessmediation.org.
JOB REQUIREMENTS
Qualifications
- Professional experience in the field of domestic violence (minimum of 1 year)
- Bachelor's degree in Human Services, Social Work, Criminal Justice, or related field. Advanced degrees (e.g., JD, MSW, MPA) most welcome. Certifications such as paralegal also desirable.
- Equivalent education and experience will be considered
- Minimum of 3 years of management experience, with strong emphasis on hands-on involvement
- Proven ability to organize and schedule effectively
- A valid driver’s license and a car with the ability to travel throughout Dutchess County (mileage reimbursement provided)
- Willingness to fill in as a mediator in court (extensive training will be provided)
- Flexibility to adapt to changing needs on short notice
- Ability to work occasional nights or weekends, with advance notice
- Excellent writing skills
- Proficiency in office software
- Ability to read, write, and speak Spanish (preferred but not required)
Essential Attributes
- Comfortable answering phones and interacting directly with clients
- Able to anticipate needs and take action proactively
- Sound judgment in decision-making and problem-solving.
- Able to pivot and adapt to changing priorities on short notice
What We Offer
- Engaging challenges with a high degree of autonomy
- Opportunities for career development and access to an extensive network
- Comprehensive benefits package including 13 paid holidays, prorated PTO, health/dental/vision coverage, Flexible Spending Account (FSA), Dependent Care Account (DCA), EAP, tuition assistance
- Competitive salary within the small nonprofit sector
Application Instructions: You may apply via Indeed or you may submit your resume along with a cover letter detailing your interest in this position and Transformative Mediation, and how your values and experience align with our needs. If you do not meet all the listed requirements, please address this in your cover letter and explain why you believe you would be a good fit for the role.
All resumes and cover letters should be submitted to careers@dutchessmediation.org with the subject line “First/Last Name, Director of Mediation Programs Applicant”. Please, no phone calls or unsolicited contact.
The Mediation Center of Dutchess County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applications are considered on the basis of skills, experience, and qualifications without regard to race, age, creed, color, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, military background, disability, or any other legally protected status. All employment related decisions are made in accordance with this policy.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $60,500.00 per year
Schedule:
- Monday to Friday
Application Question(s):
- Please tell us why you are interested in this position and/or our organization.
- How do your values and experience align with our organization's needs?
- If you don't meet all the listed requirements, please explain why you believe you'd be a good fit for the role.
Experience:
- professional experience in the field of domestic violence: 1 year (Required)
Ability to Commute:
- Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 (Required)
Ability to Relocate:
- Poughkeepsie, NY 12601: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person
Salary : $60,500