Arbitrator, Mediator, and Conciliator Careers

arbitrator-500Arbitrators, mediators and conciliators are professionals who facilitate negotiation and conflict resolution through dialogue outside of the courtroom. In order to resolve the conflicts, they hold private, confidential hearings which are less formal than court trials.

Arbitrators are typically retired judges, business professionals or attorneys with expertise in a particular field who hear and decide disputes. Mediators do not make decisions but facilitate discussion in order to reach a mutual agreement. Conciliators are similar to mediators in that they also do not make final decisions but different in that they meet with the parties separately.

Arbitrator, Mediator, and Conciliator Career Snapshot

Most arbitrators, mediators and conciliators work in private offices or meeting rooms. However, sometimes they will travel to a neutral site agreed upon by their clients. They usually work full-time hours but it is not uncommon for some to work part-time and maintain an unrelated profession.

Further details on a career as an arbitrator, mediator, and concilliator are listed below (statistics from the May 2015 Bureau of Labor Statistics and Onet Online):

$58,020

is the estimated yearly salary for arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators.

9%

increase in employment between 2014 and 2024.

24%

have a Bachelor’s degree while 20% have a Post-baccalaureate certificate.

Arbitrator, Mediator, and Conciliator Education

There are a few paths one can embark on in order to become an arbitrator, mediator or conciliator. Some positions will require one to have a law degree, while in other cases a bachelor’s degree is sufficient. Many will choose to supplement their experience or education in business or law with a degree or certification in conflict resolution and management. There is no national certification process; however, some states do require these professionals to complete a 20 to 40 hour training course or work for a certain amount of time under the guidance of an experienced mediator.

Arbitrator, Mediator, and Conciliator Salaries

According to BLS.gov in May 2015, the median salary for arbitrators, mediators and conciliators was $58,020, with the top ten percent earning $118,090 and the bottom ten percent earning $32,440.

Arbitrator, Mediator, and Conciliator Job Duties

Arbitrators, mediators and conciliators implement specific techniques in order to guide parties towards a mutual agreement. They conduct initial meetings, settle procedural matters, set up appointments for parties to meet, interview witnesses to obtain more information, prepare settlement agreements and apply relevant laws, regulations and policies in order to reach a conclusion. They must be extremely well versed in legal proceedings and practices.

Arbitrator, Mediator, and Conciliator Job Outlook

From 2014 to 2024, employment for arbitrators, mediators and conciliators is expected to grow 9 percent. This growth rate is slightly above the national average. However, due to the fact that it is such a small occupation, this will only result in about 800 new jobs over a ten year period. Those with law degrees typically have the best job prospects in this profession.

Arbitrator, Mediator, and Conciliator Skills & Traits

Arbitrator, Mediator, and Conciliator Skill Set:Required Abilities:Tools Used by Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators:Typical Work Activities:
• Negotiation
• Active Listening
• Speaking
• Critical Thinking
• Persuasion
• Deductive Reasoning
• Inductive Reasoning
• Oral Comprehension
• Oral Expression
• Speech Clarity
• Laser fax machine
• Notebook computers
• Photocopying equipment
• Computer data input scanners
• Multi-line telephone systems
• Resolving Conflicts
• Getting Information
• Creative Thinking
• Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

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