Supervised Mediation Opportunities |
What are M.M.S.' Supervised Mediation Opportunities?
Metropolitan Mediation Services (M.M.S.) offers opportunities for trained mediators to observe and conduct mediations under supervision. This unusual, and perhaps a unique opportunity is only for mediators who have completed qualified mediation training and received certificates of training. (click here for information on MMS mediation training.) Participants can also be mediators who already have experience, but want to further develop their skills through an organized program of regular supervised practice, observation, and feedback. Participants in this program receive supervision in the context of volunteer placements at sites where we provide an experienced staff mediator/supervisor for a tuition that covers part of the cost of supervision. These volunteer supervised placements are in courts as mediators of small claims disputes. These cases tend to be of low to medium complexity and offer a variety of challenges, subject matters, and personal and business relationships. It is a very rich context in which mediators learn to respond to a broad range of conflict dynamics.
How Much Experience Does A Supervised Mediator Get?
Each placement involves a one half day per week commitment for six months. Mediations take place each week on trial day. This generally provides a rich base of experience. Though there are constant variations in the frequency of referrals the six month period generally provides a very rewarding experience. In the unlikely eventuality that any supervised mediator, at the end of six months, has mediated or co-mediated fewer than 10 disputes (for reasons other than a supervised mediator’s failure to attend) that mediator will be provided extended opportunities.
Supervised mediators will have the following experiences:
- Observing cases mediated by the supervisor.
- Co-mediating with the supervisor.
- Observing cases mediated by fellow supervised mediators.
- Co-mediating with fellow supervised mediators.
- Mediating alone.
- Receiving feedback from the supervisor and fellow supervised mediators.
- The mediator(s) in each case receive feedback from observers at the end of each mediation or at the end of each mediation day.
How Much Supervision Does Each Participant Receive?
Professional mediators staff each site to supervise participants. Supervisors act as coaches...
- Initially demonstrating a small number of mediations while participants observe
- Co-mediating with participants.
- Observing cases co-mediated by participants and providing feedback.
- Observing mediations mediated alone by participants and providing feedback.
When Is Supervision Available?
Placements periods begin once or twice a year. Dates of placements will be announced. A mandatory meeting will be held at a date to be announced for an initial program orientation, to assign admitted participants to their sites, and to introduce participants to Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court's Uniform Rules on Dispute Resolution. Each placement runs for six months.
How Much is the Tuition?
Tuition for this six month program is $750.00. An application fee of $100.00 is required with any application. This application fee is refundable under the following circumstances:
- The fee will be refunded to any applicant who is not admitted to the program.
- The fee will be refunded to any applicant who withdraws his or her application at least three weeks prior to the beginning of the placement period.
- The fee will be refunded to any applicant who withdraws later than three weeks prior to the start of the placement period if that slot is subsequently filled by a qualified applicant.
The remaining tuition of $650.00 is due prior to the first day of the placement.
Who Can Enroll in the Program?
Any mediator who has successfully completed a mediation training of at least 30 hours may apply. Admissions are selective.
How Can I Apply for this Program?
To be considered, an applicant must return a completed application along with an application deposit. Applications will be accepted as late as long as space remains available. However, admissions decisions may be made on a rolling basis and placements have often filled early. Click here for a brochure and application in Adobe Acrobat (pdf) format. If you have questions, use the email, phone or address below.
NEW: Apply Online
Joshua Jacks
Director of Court Programs
Metropolitan Mediation Services
43 Garrison Road
Brookline, MA 02445-4498
or call
617-241-0300