How Do I Become a Mediator?

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.

• PAMP seeks mediators of all educational, ethnic, age, and experience backgrounds to represent the diversity of Palo Alto

• Enthusiasm for contributing to the community of Palo Alto and Stanford and/or a history of community service 

• Time and flexibility to serve as a volunteer for the full two-year term 

• Multi-cultural experience and/or an understanding of diversity issues (including the ability to work empathetically with people of different backgrounds)

• Bilingual speakers who are willing to mediate in languages other than English are especially encouraged to apply 

• Good communication skills (articulate and clear communication, both spoken and written, active listening skills, and the ability to stay focused and on topic) 

• Good interpersonal skills (including the ability to deal calmly and confidently with emotionally charged situations) 

• Emotional intelligence and self-management (mental flexibility, open-mindedness, and the ability to remain neutral and unbiased) 

• Relevant life/work experience (or training) 

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.

1. Applicants must complete the current application (PDF) or (Word Document) and submit it via email to the PAMP case manager at pamediation@housing.org no later than March 21, 2022.

2. The PAMP case manager will reach out to each candidate to confirm receipt of the application, ask clarifying questions if needed, and to help answer any questions about the program.

3. Applications will be reviewed the last week of March, and candidates that are selected will be contacted by the PAMP case manager during the first week of April and invited for a panel interview.

4. Panel interviews lasting approximately 30-40 minutes will be conducted via Zoom by the Selection Committee (which includes some of the current volunteer mediators) in mid-April (between 4/11 and 4/20).

5. Candidates will be notified of the Selection Committee’s decision by the PAMP case manager within a week of the final interview.

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.

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.

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.