The Tenant Resource Center (TRC) is a nonprofit organization committed to housing justice for all. We help tenants, landlords, and service providers to keep people housed because housing is critical to everyone’s health and well-being.
We are looking for a Mediation Services Lead who wants to use their experience, knowledge, and passion to help make a difference and be a part of this important work.
Compensation and Benefits:
$26.00/Hourly
TRC pays 100% of the monthly premiums for individual and family health, dental, and vision plans. TRC also pays the monthly premium for a long-term disability plan, and offers additional benefits such as a 401(k) plan, short-term disability, and a flexible spending account. TRC offers 18 days a year of paid personal time off (PTO) as well as paid holidays. At TRC, we believe all individuals should be paid fair wages and have access to affordable healthcare. Our compensation and benefits packages reflect our values.
Position Description:
The Mediation Services Lead assists the Housing Counseling Program Manager in planning, development, and evaluation of landlord-tenant mediation services delivered by TRC. They are responsible for building strong relationships with stakeholders; recruiting, scheduling, and training mediation volunteers; and implementing high quality mediation services for tenants and landlords within our service area to maintain stable housing.
Position Type: Full-Time (36 hours); Non-Exempt
Location: In-Office and Community Locations; Remote Eligible
Roles and Responsibilities:
As a Mediation Services Lead, you will:
- Provide information and answer questions about rental rights and responsibilities to tenants, landlords, community partners, and others in the community, referring to both internal programs and external agencies when necessary (housing navigation, emergency shelter, etc).
- Facilitate and coordinate all steps of the in and out of court mediation process, including
preparation, disclosure, and participation. - Record statistical and demographic data both internally and within HMIS, and assist in-contract reporting requirements, including completeness and accuracy of files
- Implement and expand services within Tenant Resource Center’s out-of-court, “upstream” housing mediation service, including developing outreach materials.
- Implement and maintain an on-site upstream mediation schedule.
- Recruit, coordinate, train, and schedule a team of volunteer mediators.
- Participate in housing and tenant service provision with nonprofits, government agencies, and other stakeholders.
- Mediate disputes between landlord and tenants and/or roommates when housing is at risk.
- Attend weekly eviction court to complete program intakes and assist in mediation processes when volunteers are unavailable.
- Mail postcards, letters, and other materials to all renter households that have an eviction court date.
- Participate in regular trainings and meetings hosted by TRC and outside organizations to stay informed on landlord tenant law; services available to clients; partner organizations; best practices in harm reduction and trauma informed care; and legal and programmatic requirements.
- Other duties as assigned which may vary based on grant requirements and staffing changes.
Qualifications:
You don’t need to have all the preferred qualifications listed below to add value to our team and the work. Our clients have diverse experiences and backgrounds, and so do our employees. Diversity is a strength. If you care about housing justice and meet the minimum qualifications, we encourage you to apply! If a qualification below does not say it is preferred, that means it is required.
- Be trained or able to be trained as a mediator.
- Be trained or able to be trained as a housing counselor in local, state, and federal housing laws, consumer protection laws, and small claims court procedures.
- Excellent organizational and time management skills, including ability to create, track, and meet deadlines.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and history of positive working relationships with people of diverse racial/ethnic, socio-economic, and educational backgrounds.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively with a diverse team.
- Strong attention to detail and demonstrated ability to manage complicated work functions.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills with various, diverse populations (such as tenants, landlords, service providers, elected officials, contract managers, judges, attorneys, and court commissioners); especially skilled at taking complicated information and making it more accessible.
- Experience working with or ability to quickly learn how to use database systems, cloud-based systems, and other computer systems, including Microsoft Office and Google Suite.
- Creative problem-solving skills, including ability to respond calmly to crisis situations and remain a neutral party.
- Driver’s license and reliable access to a vehicle with your own personal insurance when needed to travel to community locations.
- Legal, case management, or human service educational degree or at least 1 year of related work experience, preferred.
- College degree in social work, human services, or related field or 1 year of related experience, preferred.
- Bilingual, preferred.
- Lived experiences of housing insecurity or court involved processes, particularly eviction, mediation, or the criminal justice system, preferred.
Essential Skills Required for All TRC Positions:
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
- Alignment with Tenant Resource Center core values and mission, including principles of Housing First, Trauma-Informed Care, and Housing as a Human Right.
- Ability to hold compassion and empathy for all people and desire to provide client-centered care to program participants; requires a high degree of cultural competency.
Physical Requirements:
With or without a reasonable accommodation, the Court Services & Eviction Data Lead must be able to:
- Work sitting and/or standing for long periods of time in the office and at other locations in the community
- Work in an office environment with exposure to fluorescent lighting, potential ink fumes, contact with synthetic materials, and air conditioning
- Use a computer for the entire workday
- Carry up to 20 pounds, including a laptop, outreach materials, and other items
COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement:
TRC employees are required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Under current CDC guidelines, an individual is considered fully vaccinated for COVID-19 two weeks after receiving the single-dose vaccine or two weeks after the second dose in a two-dose vaccination. Medical or religious accommodations will be considered consistent with legal requirements.
To Apply:
Click here to apply. If you have trouble accessing this link or need to submit materials in alternative formats, please don't hesitate to contact us at [email protected].
Questions?
Please contact us at [email protected].
We are committed to fostering and supporting an inclusive environment where all employees feel respected and welcome. TRC is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. TRC provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type based on race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.