Mediator Roster Recruitment

The Workplace Mediation Service is recruiting UMB faculty and staff to serve as mediators.

Our mediators help employees address conflict collaboratively.

Join our roster of mediators. Applications are due March 1, 2024 at noon. Details are below.

 

The Workplace Mediation Service is a free, voluntary, and confidential resource to help people have a different type of conversation to address work-related conflicts and plan for a better future. Mediation services are available to all UMB employees (staff, faculty, postdocs, and student employees). The Workplace Mediation Service is part of the Center for Dispute Resolution (C-DRUM) at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law.

In 2020, the Workplace Mediation Service trained its first cohort of volunteers to join our roster of mediators. Current WMS mediators are faculty and staff in the School of Medicine, School of Social Work, Administration, and C-DRUM. At this time a limited number of additional mediators are needed. Additional mediators are needed to continue to build a mediator roster that better represents UMB and help WMS shorten the amount of time that it takes for employees to start their mediation sessions.

Applicants who submit the required information and documents by the deadline may be invited to a short interview with one or two current mediators. Selected individuals will receive mediation training and ongoing skills support from the Workplace Mediation Service.

Eligibility information

Current UMB faculty and staff may apply. (Some employees, including employees who serve in a human resources capacity or work in the Maryland Carey Clinical Law Program, the Office of Accountability and Compliance, or the Office of University Counsel are not eligible to apply.) Previous mediation experience is not required. Written approval from an applicant’s supervisor is required to apply and engage in the training, the mediator apprentice process, and to serve as a mediator.

Important dates

Information Sessions: Attending an information session is recommended. Registration is required. All sessions are hybrid. Register

      • Tuesday, Feb. 6, 3:00PM-4:00PM
      • Thursday, Feb. 8, 11:00AM-12:00PM
      • Monday, Feb. 12, 10:30AM-11:30AM
      • Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2:30PM-3:30PM
      • Wednesday, Feb. 28, 10:00AM-11:00AM

Application Deadline: Friday, March 1 at noon

Interviews (scheduled for 25 minute sessions): 

      • Monday, March 11, 9:00AM-4:30PM
      • Tuesday, March 12, 9:30AM-4:30PM
      • Wednesday, March 13, 8:30AM-4:30PM 

Limited alternate interview dates and times are available.

Invitations Extended: mid April

Training: May 7-9 and 21-23 between the hours of 8:00am and 5:00pm

The application

The application consists of two forms: the Mediator Roster Application Form and the Supervisor Approval Form. The online and downloadable Word version of the Mediator Roster Application Form and the downloadable Word version of the Supervisor Approval Form are available on the online form. You may email Aisha Samples or call 410-706-4270 to request the Word documents by email.

Use one of the following options to submit the application and supervisor forms:

Supervisor approval is required for employees to apply and participate. Supervisors of employees who are interested in participating are welcome to attend an information session.

Additional information

Interested employees should review our Frequently Asked Questions below, additional information on the WMS website, attend an information session, and contact Aisha Samples with questions. You may email Aisha Samples or call 410-706-4270.

 

Workplace Mediation Service
Aisha Samples, MS
410-706-4270
mediation@umaryland.edu

January 31, 2024

Frequently Asked Questions ▾

What does it mean to be a mediator?

Mediators focus on helping the conversation in mediation progress in a way that meets the needs of the participants and fulfills the purpose of mediation. Mediators remain neutral to the participants and the issues, reflect what has been said, and ask open-ended questions to identify areas of agreement or disagreement.

What is the mediator roster recruitment process?

WMS will hold information sessions to explain and answer questions about the application process, training, apprentice mediator process, and mediation. Attending an information session is recommended. If you are unable to attend an information session please contact Aisha Samples with your questions and concerns.

Applicants who submit the required information and documents by the deadline may be invited to a twenty-minute interview with one or more of our current mediators. During the interview we will talk about your interest in participating, commitment to WMS, openness to learning and practicing the mediation skills, and address concerns and questions.

What about the training?

The basic mediation training (BMT) will include at least 40 hours of content, and will take place May 7-9 and 21-23. Some training days will be in-person and others will be remote. Successful applicants must be available and commit to attend the entire training. The Workplace Mediation Service uses the “facilitative” framework for mediation, which supports participants in having a constructive conversation and reaching a state where they are able to continue the conversation on their own or reaching a solution which is acceptable and satisfactory to all.

Facilitative mediation is collaborative. The training will address mediation skills, mediator ethics, and programmatic matters. The BMT training meets the requirements of a basic mediation training under Maryland judicial rules.

What if I have already completed a mediation training?

Employees who have completed a mediation training are eligible to participate. Submit your certificate or letter of competition from the trainer with your application. WMS will review the submitted training information to determine how much of the WMS training you need to attend, if you are selected to participate. 

Who will be selected to participate?

WMS will select up to 15 applicants based on the submitted materials and the interview and invite them to participate in the training.

What happens after I complete the training?

Participants who complete the training may be invited to join the WMS apprentice mediator process. Apprentice mediators are required to observe two mediations and participate in an apprentice evaluation. After completing the apprentice mediator process mediators may be invited to join the mediator roster and begin co-mediating with an experienced mediator. 

What are some of the expectations?

To remain as a WMS apprentice mediator or on the WMS mediator roster mediators must

  • be a UMB employee;
  • have their supervisor’s permission to participate with WMS;
  • commit up to 25 hours per year to WMS, which includes mediating, participating in trainings, and assisting with outreach; 
  • observe or mediate in a manner consistent with the provided training and practices of the Workplace Mediation Service; and
  • join the Maryland Program for Mediator Excellence and remain an active member.

Mediation sessions require a time commitment. Mediators should plan to commit at least three hours for each scheduled mediation session. This includes

  • pre-mediation discussion with the co-mediator
  • travel time to and from the mediation session
  • set-up
  • two-hour mediation session
  • debrief with co-mediator
  • breakdown

A thirty-minute pre-mediation discussion with the co-mediator should occur a few days prior to the mediation session.

What is the Workplace Mediation Service's role in the mediation process?

The Workplace Mediation Service manages the mediation process including intake, scheduling, reserving rooms (in-person and remote), and data management. WMS informs the roster of mediators when a mediation is ready to be scheduled and requests availability from the mediators. Mediators provide their availability to WMS and selected mediators are informed about the details for the mediation sessions. Supplies and mediation materials are provided by WMS. 

How can I learn more?

Review the additional information on the WMS website, attend an information session, and contact Aisha Samples with questions. You may email Aisha Samples or call 410-706-4270.