How Do I Become a Mediator?

The Palo Alto Mediation Program is now actively recruiting for volunteer mediators!  

The deadline to apply is March 1, 2025.

If you are interested in joining our panel for a two-year term, please review the information below and download our FAQ and an application (PDF) or (Word Document) today!


Requirements:  The minimum requirement is that candidates must live or work in Palo Alto or Stanford.  PAMP seeks mediators of all educational, ethnic, age, and experience backgrounds to represent the diversity of Palo Alto.  PAMP looks for candidates with good interpersonal and communication skills, a history of and commitment to community service, and the ability to deal calmly with emotionally charged situations.  Historically there have been more applicants than available mediator positions, so we cannot guarantee that everyone who wants to be a mediator will be accepted into the program.


Term:  Appointment is for a two-year renewable term.  Mediators are subject to a review of participation if they apply for subsequent renewals of term. PAMP is currently recruiting for our next two-year term from July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026.


Participation:  Attendance at a monthly meeting on the third Thursday of the month (7:15-8:45pm) is required, and mediators are expected to volunteer to develop, conciliate, or mediate at least two cases per quarter and respond to requests within 24 hours.  Mediators are also expected to commit 6-10 hours per month on PAMP activities such as case development, conciliation, mediation, skill-building trainings, community events, mentoring, volunteering as co-chair, participating in sub-committees, and conducting outreach.


New Mediator Training:  Selected candidates are required to successfully complete a 40-hour community mediation training before beginning their term. All training sessions are required, without exception.  Application and training dates vary each year.  Additionally, ongoing training on specific topics is provided at required monthly meetings.  The upcoming mediation skills training for new volunteer mediators will be held on the following dates this year (2025):


Training Date Time Location

Sat. April 26 9am-4pm PA Art Center

Sun. April 27 9am-4pm PA Art Center

Tue. April 29 6-9pm Zoom

Thur. May 1 6-9pm Zoom

Sat. May 3 9am-4pm PA Art Center

Tue. May 6 6-9pm Zoom

Thur. May 8 6-9pm Zoom



PAMP Orientation:  New mediators are also required to attend a 3-4 hour orientation and onboarding session.  The orientation will cover PAMP mediation logistics and forms, introduce new mediators to their mentors, and answer questions about how PAMP operates.  The orientation will be scheduled after completion of the new mediator training at the convenience of the new mediators (most likely in mid-June).


Code of Conduct:  PAMP mediators must subscribe to the PAMP Code of Ethics and PAMP Standards of Practice.


Important Dates to Remember:  Recruitment and training for new volunteer mediators will take place from March to May this year (2025).  Please keep in mind the following important dates if you are planning to apply:


Applications DUE: 3/1

Candidate Interviews: Mid-March (dates TBD)

New Mediator Training: 4/26-5/8


To Apply:  If you are interested in applying, please download and complete the current application (PDF) or (Word Document).  All candidates must submit the application via email to the PAMP case manager at pamediation@housing.org no later than the application DUE DATE: March 1, 2025.


Frequently Asked Questions:  Please download our FAQ for even more information and answers to many of the questions asked by applicants when deciding to apply.


For more information on mediation, please refer to the website mediate.com.

Who are the mediators in PAMP?

PAMP mediators are 15-20 volunteers who have been professionally trained in community mediation to help parties resolve their issues.  Each has successfully completed a 40-hour training that includes advanced listening, mediation, communication, negotiation, facilitation, and conciliation skills.  PAMP mediators span a range of ages, religions, and ethnic backgrounds and come from professions in business, education, technology, law, and social services to name a few.  Some are working full- or part-time, while others are retired or not working.  As a group, they share a commitment to community service and enjoy learning new skills from each other.

What are some of the characteristics we look for in PAMP mediators?

What is the role of a PAMP mediator?

The role of the mediator is to create a structured forum and a safe environment where both parties can openly discuss their concerns or issues and come to a mutually agreeable resolution, if they choose to do so.  The role of the mediator is to remain neutral. Unlike attorneys, arbitrators, or judges, mediators do not take sides, do not make recommendations, do not give advice of any kind (legal or financial), and do not offer their own opinions. 

PAMP mediators maintain a neutral role throughout all steps in the mediation process, from case development to the mediation session itself.  During case development, the mediator’s role is to establish trust and prepare the parties for a successful mediation.  Every case is different, and may involve multiple rounds of email, text, and phone communication.  During a mediation, the mediator’s role is to ensure that both parties have an opportunity to be heard and understood and explore points of agreement; however, the mediator does not push the parties to agree or impose terms.

What is the application and selection process?

Note: Once candidates are chosen by the Selection Committee, they must first successfully complete the new mediator training and then be approved by the City of Palo Alto before being accepted by PAMP for a two-year, renewable term from July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2024.

How are new PAMP mediators onboarded?

All new mediators attend a 3-4 hour orientation that focuses on applying what they have learned in the mediation training to how they will use it as a PAMP mediator.  The goal of the orientation is to answer questions about how PAMP operates.  It will cover PAMP policies and procedures, mediation logistics and PAMP forms, how the program is administered, and the role of the PAMP case manager.

Each new mediator is also assigned a mentor – a senior mediator – who is available to answer questions and assist with case development.  New mediators start by observing a mediation and participating in a debrief session with their mentor.  Often new mediators will choose to co-mediate with their mentor next.  New mediators are encouraged to work with their mentors to build confidence so that they can begin volunteering for cases on their own right away.

What if I have more questions about PAMP?

If you have more questions, you can either call the PAMP case manager at 650-856-4062 or send an email to pamediation@housing.org with your questions.