Mediation Counsel And Commercial Program Manager

Description
Be part of an organization dedicated to enhancing the practice of law and improving our community through programs that provide equal access to legal services. The Bar Association of San Francisco (BASF) has a strong commitment to employee work-life balance and provides a stimulating work environment. BASF currently has an exciting opportunity for a full-time Mediation Counsel and Commercial Program Manager to be part of the team!
About BASF . . .
BASF is a nonprofit organization and the oldest voluntary bar association in California. Today, over 7,400 San Francisco lawyers are members of BASF, which prides itself as being one of the most active and innovative local bar associations. Our offices are located in the Financial District. In addition to services and benefits to our members, BASF provides a variety of legal services to San Francisco residents including our Lawyer Referral and Information Service, Alternative Dispute Resolution, and the Justice & Diversity Center (including the Homeless Advocacy Project) which is the largest provider of legal services to San Franciscans.
BASF also offers a variety of charitable programs, including Food from the Bar, Head Start Holiday Gift Program, Law Academy, School-To-College, Destination Law School and the Minority Law Student Scholarship programs.
About the Job...
The Conflict Intervention Service (CIS) is a neutral service provider that provides a full spectrum of conflict resolution services to resolve conflict and prevent destabilization of commercial and residential Landlord and Tenant relationships that could otherwise lead to eviction. CIS also provides training and education on effectively navigating conflict and allowing for better communication and relationships within the landlord-tenant and/or neighbor relationships.
CIS employs both attorney-mediator and non-attorney mediators, as well as conflict navigators, and works with a roster of qualified independent contractor mediators, as needed. CIS also has resources for language interpretation and social worker support. The CIS Mediation Counsel & Commercial Program Manager will work closely with and is supervised by the BASF Director of Alternative Dispute Resolution programs.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
To the extent possible, reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The duties and responsibilities commensurate with this role in the CIS Commercial Real Estate area of our program include, but are not limited to, any combination of the following tasks:

• Work closely with our CIS - Commercial Real Estate Grantor's (Grantor) staff members and neighborhood stakeholders to identify business owners in need of dispute resolution services.
• Conduct direct, proactive, iterative business outreach to existing or prospective tenants requiring conflict intervention assistance with commercial lease matters.
• Facilitate dialogue between business owners and property owners to aid them in more effective lease negotiations. Share template documents with businesses and make connections with our Grantor's staff.
• Triage commercial dispute resolution cases by providing referrals for consultations and situational analysis.
• Provide negotiation coaching to businesses when requested to assist with resolving commercial lease matters with property owners and/or their assigned property managers.
• Conduct mediation to manage conflict and attempt to resolve disputes between business owners, property owners, and other parties. Assist parties to resolve issues arising in implementation.
• Provide business owners with non-legal triage, counseling, consultation, education services on tenant-landlord matters. Strive to assist parties to improve communications and understanding.
• Work with commercial property owners to prevent conflict, mediate, and resolve commercial lease related disputes with business owners.
• Connect with resources to provide services to business owners, which resources are culturally or linguistically appropriate to enhance understanding and improve negotiation outcomes.
• Make referrals for legal consultation with licensed attorneys to the BASF Legal Referral and Information Service on matters such as business tenancy issues, situational review, and lease contract review.
• Co-develop documentation with Grantor representatives for education to support program offerings. Organize, host, and co-deliver webinars with Grantor. Provide after care to business owners property owners.
• Participate in monthly reporting meetings with Grantor representatives.
• Draft quarterly activity summary reports.
• Follow-up from CIS helpline commercial inquiries, support commercial case management and assignments.
• In partnership with the Director, onboard new mediators to the commercial panel and manage current panel with regular meetings to engage in discussion and check in about case development.
• Create closing reports and other reports as required by -BASF's contracts with Grantor.

The duties and responsibilities commensurate with the role of the CIS Mediation Counsel in Residential Housing include, but are not limited to, any combination of the following tasks:

• Helps manage the CIS Helpline, email inquiries, and case intake and investigation;
• Conduct initial case investigation which assumes contact with disputants, case managers, property managers, social workers, etc., or any and all necessary parties to the resolution of the presenting conflict
• Clarify issues, concerns, needs, and interests of all parties involved
  Obtain appropriate documentation as may be needed, e.g. a tenant's lease, income recertification form, previous stipulated agreement, etc.
• Complete City and County income verification forms for residents and tenants who receive CIS services
• Facilitate communication between disputants to guide parties toward mutual agreement
• Provide communication guidance and coaching to the parties
• Conduct initial meetings with disputants to enrich resolution opportunities
• Help disputants prepare written conflict resolution agreements for disputants to sign
• Provide referrals to legal assistance and social service supports, when appropriate
• Perform formal mediations
• Perform after care check ins, when needed
• Confer with ADR Director regularly
• Maintain independent mediation caseload while also participating in team mediation strategy support meetings
• Assist with in-person visits to discuss and present about CIS, including at community events
• Assist with the development of the marketing and outreach materials of the CIS program
• Serve as point of contact with community partners for referrals to and from the program

EQUIPMENT OR MACHINES THAT MUST BE OPERATED TO PERFORM THE POSITION ACCEPTABLY
Computer, copier, fax and telephone.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Work is a hybrid between remote, fieldwork, and work performed in an open area workstation at BASF's office located in downtown San Francisco, during normal business hours, which are Monday through Friday, from 9:00am to 5:00pm, or 35 hours/week. On occasion, meetings before or after hours may occur; on occasion representation at events and offering of presentations outside the office may occur.
EDUCATION

• Licensed Attorney, by the State Bar of California
• Certified Mediator - 40 hour Basics of Mediation. Advanced Trainings a Plus

EXPERIENCE

• Commercial real estate and residential Landlord/Tenant legal experience.
• Familiarity with public housing conflicts and rules, a plus
• Experience working with diverse populations

PREREQUISITE SKILLS AND REQUIREMENTS
Character Skills

• Skillful collaborator
• Possesses creative thinking capabilities
• Possesses keen judgment, reasoning and analytical abilities
• Possesses ability to adhere to confidentiality
• Possesses ability to be professional, mature, flexible, and demonstrate a good sense of humor
• Possesses ability to work independently and resourceful with high ethical standards
• Possesses ability to maintain positive relations with people and institutions

Communication and Interpersonal Skills

• Ability to concisely communicate, write and speak effectively and cogently
• Ability to communicate in person, on the telephone, and in writing in a clear, professional and courteous manner
• Ability to demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills (professional and diplomatic interactions)
• Ability to demonstrate excellent customer and client service/relationship management skills (be pleasant, tactful and diplomatic)

Judgment and Comprehension Skills

• Ability to execute protocols consistent with the mediation statute, program philosophies and goals
• Ability to negotiate differences without displaying judgement to disputants
• Ability to think critically and creatively
• Ability to exercise good judgment in implementing and applying policies appropriately
• Ability to render well-written materials, articles and/or blog pieces
• Ability to ideate on outreach to underserved populations in need
• Ability to remain neutral as a mediator and not provide legal advice to the disputants/parties

Organizational Skills

• Ability to:
  
  • multi-task and independently prioritize with high attention to detail
  • simultaneously manage multiple components
  • rapidly adapt to changing priorities
  • demonstrate excellent organization of detail and timelines
  • maintain clearly organized intake and referral case tracking records and communications
  • organize and prioritize essential information and data points for reporting on the project

Technical Skills

• Ability to synthesize case information and capture reporting goals
• Ability to maintain accurate records
• Strong proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)

Working with Populations

• Ability to work via phone, online and in-person, with clients, attorneys, BASF staff, volunteers, and partners in a professional, amicable and team-oriented manner

Why Work For Us:
We offer a collaborative work environment, a progressive work culture, and a wonderfully diverse staff. Additionally, we have a standard 35-hour workweek, flexible scheduling (manager's discretion), and we are a mission and values based organization.
We also offer competitive pay and a generous benefits package that includes: a choice of medical insurance plans, dental insurance, vision insurance, pretax commuter, health, and dependent care accounts, employer paid short- and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, the opportunity to contribute to a retirement account, and more!
To Apply:
Please submit your resume and cover letter.
Equal Opportunity Employer
BASF is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We conduct all employment-related activities without regard to race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation or any other classification protected by applicable Local, State or Federal employment discrimination laws. BASF welcomes diversity in the workplace.