BECOME A MEDIATOR

Small Claims Court Intensive Training – Applications Closed for Spring 2022

SCC Intensive Applications are accepted once per year. We anticipate that the next class of applications will open in Spring/Summer 2023. 

The KCDRC seeks to train and work in a welcoming, respectful and engaging way with persons of diverse backgrounds, with a priority on communities served by our organization. We are deeply committed to continuing to foster a culture inclusive of people in race, ethnicity, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status, marital status, age, disabilities, political affiliation, and religious beliefs – and also in cultural backgrounds, life experiences, thoughts, and ideas. 

Program description 

Specialized training to hone your facilitative mediation skills and involve you in our Small Claims Court (SCC) Mediation Program.  The SCC Intensive training is a two-part program: 

Part I  

A hybrid training program consisting of:   

• 25 hours of study using online modules  
• 5 required live training sessions (currently conducted on Zoom) 
• A mock mediation assessment  
• Students receive coaching and feedback throughout the program 

Part II 

In-court apprenticeship with the King County District Court.   

Students who successfully pass the mock mediation assessment will be invited to participate in the in-court apprenticeship.   In the apprenticeship, you will be paired with experienced mediators to co-mediate disputes in Small Claims court.   The apprenticeship typically lasts 6 to 9 months.  We request attendance at 2 half-day court sessions each month.   

Important dates Spring 2022: 

 April 5: Application deadline has ended  

 April 22: All applicants notified of acceptance decisions 

 April 25.  Intensive begins.  Students will receive “Getting started” information which will allow them to access online modules.   

 May 3 Q & A session.  7 – 8:30 PM   

 Live training sessions: 

May 21 First session: Mediator’s Opening statement 

June 4 Second session: Parties’ Opening statements 

June 18 Third session: Negotiation and Caucus 

July 9 Fourth session: Writing durable agreements 

July 23 Fifth session: Practice mock mediations 

Late July to  Mid-August: Formal mock mediations scheduled individually for each student 

Commitment 

The total time commitment estimated for Part I is 50-60 hours, dedicated over 3-4 months.  This includes self-study time, attendance at live training days, court observations, and mock mediation practice and evaluation.   

The total time commitment estimated for Part II (in-court apprenticeship) is 60-90 hours, dedicated over 6 to 9 months.  This includes attendance at 2 half-day court sessions each month.  (AM or PM on weekdays, with schedule determined by the King County District Court) 

Students will need:  

• an email account  
• access to the internet  
• access to a computer, tablet or other device (Your device must allow you to participate by video in virtual meetings via Zoom, and to create and share documents and recordings.)   

Continued commitment to the KCDRC Small Claims Court Program:  As a condition of admittance to the SCC Intensive, we ask students to make a 1-year commitment to the small claims program, following their completion of Part I.  (Note that part of this time commitment overlaps with Part II, the in-court apprenticeship.)  

 Application Process 

 We are seeking applicants who:  

Want to join our court mediation team as great team players and co-mediators – flexible, humble, supportive, always willing to learn more.   

Required: 

Basic Mediation Training: A 36-40 hour course taken at any Dispute Resolution Center.  (Submit certificate of completion with your application materials.)  

Preferred:  

Experience as a mediator at another Dispute Resolution Center OR other additional training or experience applying the foundational facilitative mediation skills, including active listening, understanding/identifying interests, and asking open-ended questions. 

 To Apply: 

Submit SCC Intensive Training Application, resume, and basic mediation training certificate.  Instructions on how to submit are included in the Application form which can be downloaded from the green box below. 

1. Interview: After applications are closed, we will contact selected applicants for interviews.  Interviews will be conducted by phone and will be 30-45 minutes.  
2. All students will be notified of acceptance decisions by mid to late April.  
3. Fees: In an effort to ensure this training is available for everyone, we have waived the usual participation fee.  We always welcome donations to offset the cost of conducting both parts of the training. Donations can be made on our website: 

 Donate – Dispute Resolution Center of King County (kcdrc.org) 

Donations will not affect any decisions regarding initial acceptance or student continued progress through the program.    

NOTE: Continuing professional education credits may be available for in-person training days. There is an administration fee of $125 if you would like to receive CLE for continuing legal education, CEUs for mental health professionals, or clock hours for educators. Please specify on your application that you will be seeking continuing education credits and indicate which you would like to receive. We will invoice you for the credits once your application is processed and approved.