NEIGHBORHOOD MEDIATION PROGRAM INTERN
As a grassroots organization, interns play an important role in assisting Community Boards operate the longest-running, no-cost mediation program in the
United States!  Our internship program provides several unique learning
opportunities for both personal and professional growth.

As an intern, you'll gain knowledge of the challenges and rewards facing
community-based nonprofit organizations.  You’ll see Alternative Dispute
Resolution (ADR) in action at the neighborhood level.   By assisting
with case development and management, you'll learn important communication
skills for working directly with people who need assistance with a wide range
of disputes.

INTERN
TRAINING
Interns are first trained in our intake procedures.  Intakes take place on
the telephone and though face-to-face meetings. During the initial intake, the
ability to listen to and understand the issues and to empathize with the caller
without validating the caller’s position is developed. Since many of these
callers are in high emotion -- angry, frustrated, distressed, depressed --
professionalism, understanding and patience are essential skills.

Interns also will learn and perform all steps of case development, including
sending letters to the second party, contacting that person or persons if they
do not respond to our letter, and answering all concerns of others involved in
the mediation. Since the second party may be unfamiliar with Community Boards
and with the process of mediation, sensitivity to the second party’s concerns
is tantamount. The goal is to persuade the second party to participate in
mediation. The abilities to listen and to explain the mediation process 
are essential.
 

COMMITMENT

We ask that you commit to at least one day a week, Monday through Friday, and work between 11 AM - 6 PM.  As many interns are students, we do ask for a semester or quarter term commitment. 

QUALIFICATIONS
Good telephone and communication skills
Ability to empathize without taking sides
Patience while working with angry, frustrated
or upset callers
Familiarity with data entry
Fluency in Spanish, Cantonese or Mandarin
would be helpful

WORK
TASKS
Case Intake
Explain Community Boards’ services and role
of mediation
Listen to caller’s issue(s) and ask
clarifying questions
Determine if mediation is appropriate
Provide referrals if mediation isn’t
appropriate
Collect demographic data

Case Development
Contact Party 2, by mail and, if needed, then
by telephone
Answer all concerns of Party 2, reinforcing
Community Boards’ neutrality
If parties agree to mediate,
negotiate/schedule best date and time for mediation

Administration
Collect information and enter data in MADtrac
database
Follow-up telephone “mediation satisfaction”
survey
Some general assistance if needed

If you are interested, please contact Liora
Kahn, Mediation Program Manager, 415-920-3820 x109 or email.