Job Number: 01-200325-01: Mediation and Assessment Program Director
Company Name: United States District Court Western District of Missouri
The successful candidate must be able to function autonomously and confidentially. In managing the date-to-day operations of the MAP, the Administrator supervises a staff of two individuals who assist with processing and tracking program cases.
The Administrator will also liaise with members of the bar for purposes of training, program evaluation and seeking input on the MAP process and opportunities to help it achieve program goals.
The person to hold this position will maintain an office in Kansas City, Missouri with the potential for occasional travel to divisional offices in Springfield and Jefferson City, as well as other locations for training.
Applicants should visit
www.mow.uscourts.gov for general information about the Western District of Missouri (WDMO) and to review the Court’s General Order governing the MAP (the “Order”).
REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The MAP Administrator reports to the Chief Judge and the Court Executive and serves at the discretion of the Court en banc. The Administrator manages the program with responsibility for implementation, operation, evaluation and modification.
Specific responsibilities include:
Developing forms, rules, procedures and policies consistent with the Order and managing the processing of assigned cases according to the Order deadlines and the overall goal of early mediation;
Coordinating assignment of cases and management of CM/ECF communications and notices with the Clerk’s Office;
Serving as the mediator or neutral for the majority of cases assigned to the MAP.
Monitoring and evaluating the program to assess results and efficiency, and providing narrative and statistical reports to the Court en banc and the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts as necessary regarding the volume of cases processed and settlement results achieved; Maintaining and managing the list of qualified outside neutrals and drafting guidelines and policies for those neutrals;
Developing, organizing and conducting training for the neutrals;
Using technology and IT tools to produce statistical analysis, streamline case processing procedures and consider other means of ensuring that the program is efficient and cost effective in achieving its goals;
Recommending modifications to the program to the Court en banc as appropriate and necessary;
Maintain and confidentially dispose of program records appropriately:•Performing such other duties as requested by the Chief Judge, the Court en banc or the Court Executive.
Minimum Qualifications:
The Western District is looking for an experienced current or former attorney adept at case evaluation and assessment as well as mediation and negotiation.
Applicants should meet the following minimum requirements:
Juris Doctorate Degree
Membership in good standing of the bar of the highest court of a state, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. Territory
Been engaged in the active practice of law for a period of at least ten years, including a trial or litigation emphasis or litigation oversight role
Significant experience as a mediator or judicial officer or frequent representation of parties during mediation or settlement negotiations
Knowledge of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and Evidence and the Court’s Local Rules and general knowledge of federal statutes and regulations
Familiarity with CM/ECF or similar electronic case filing/tracking software, and general proficiency with online legal research systems and word processing, spreadsheet, database and case management applications and software
Preferred Qualifications:
Mediation or alternative dispute resolution training or degree
Experience representing both plaintiffs and defendants
Familiarity with federal court practice and the MAP or similar programs outside WDMO
Experience with litigation involving a variety of causes of action, including both personal injury and commercial trial work
Experience managing a process, large projects and people With regard to conducting mediations or settlement discussion, the successful candidate will possess
Skill in mediation techniques and tools and conducting mediation sessions.
Skill in and ability to analyze and quickly synthesize complex data and the law
Skill in analyzing, refining and narrowing litigation issues through settlement discussions.
Skill in negotiation
Skill in collaborative problem-solving and consensus building
Ability to develop and help parties develop creative solutions to problems
Ability to sensitively provide “reality checks” to counsel and participants
Ability to manage conflict between emotional parties
Ability to command respect and control the mediation process
Ability to handle confidential information in a variety of contexts, such as observance of strict confidentiality from judges and other court staff, respect for confidences among parties during the course of negotiations and thereafter
Ability to stay abreast of changing ADR and mediation processes
With regard to written and oral communications, the successful candidate will possess:
Skill in communicating effectively, both orally and in writing, with individuals and groups, to provide information, facilitate meetings, influence decision-makers, and provide training.
Skill in establishing cooperative working relationships with staff.
Skill in providing advice on complex matters.
Skill in working persuasively and tactfully with a wide range of people, including pro se litigants, represented litigants and members of the bench and the bar.
With regard to Court operations generally, the successful candidate will possess:
Knowledge of the District Court and Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, and judicial processes, policies, and procedures.
Knowledge of court culture and philosophy.
Ability to prioritize and manage the MAP caseload consistent with the needs of the court.
Knowledge of and compliance with the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees and court confidentiality requirements.
Ability to consistently demonstrate sound ethical judgment.
Conditions of Employment:
Candidates must be able to show proof that they meet citizenship requirements for employment by the United States Courts and must be able to pass a full background investigation, including a criminal record and credit check. Court employees must adhere to all Judicial Conference regulations, specifically the Code of Judicial Conduct. This position is subject to mandatory electronic funds transfer (direct deposit) of net pay. The United States District and Bankruptcy Courts are a part of the federal judiciary.
Application Procedure and Information:
Qualified persons should submit:
•A cover letter;•Current resume;
•An application for Federal Employment, form AO 78 (http://www.uscourts.gov/uscourts/FormsAndFees/Forms/AO078.pdf); and
•Three reference letters pertaining directly to the candidate’s skill as a mediator or as a representative of parties’ during mediations or settlement conferences; and
•Two reference letters from judges (other than WDMO judges) before whom the candidate has appeared before during his or her practice.
All application material should be emailed in one PDF file to michele_nelson@mow.uscourts.gov or mailed to:
United States District Court Western District of Missouri
Attn: Michele Nelson
400 East 9thStreet
Kansas City, MO 64106
The application deadline is April 15, 2020.
The U.S. District Court is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Only applicants invited for an interview will be contacted. The Court reserves the right to change the announcement.