ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Mediator Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Deloitte

Senior Consultant - SAP BRIM CM

Los Angeles, CA

$68 - $92.75/hr

Configure SAP BRIM Convergent Mediation for source ingestion, event transformation, validation, routing, aggregation, and error handling * Support integration, testing, deployment, and stabilization ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsMediator JobsMediator Jobs in California

Mediator information

See California salary details

$42.9K

$97.1K

$231.9K

How much do mediator jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for mediator in California is $97,056.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $64,100.00 and $105,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a mediator?

A Mediator provides mediation services that help find a resolution between disputing parties or individuals before the case ends up in court. As a Mediator, your responsibilities include listening to both sides of the conflict, discerning what areas of the dispute have a potential for compromise, and helping parties work step-by-step toward a solution. You may work for a law firm, government agency, or third-party agency. Your job is to provide objective observations and propose a compromise that suits both parties and keeps them from needing to face a costly court battle.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a mediator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Mediator, you need strong conflict resolution abilities, knowledge of negotiation techniques, and often a background in law, social work, or related fields, sometimes with formal mediation training or certification. Familiarity with mediation software, case management systems, and adherence to relevant professional standards is common in this role. Exceptional listening, impartiality, and communication skills help mediators facilitate understanding and trust between conflicting parties. These competencies are crucial for achieving fair, effective resolutions and maintaining professional credibility in sensitive or complex disputes.

What are some common challenges mediators face when facilitating negotiations between parties?

Mediators often encounter challenges such as managing strong emotions, overcoming communication barriers, and ensuring that all parties feel heard and understood. It can be difficult to maintain neutrality, especially in high-conflict situations where trust is low. Successful mediators use active listening, patience, and creative problem-solving to help parties find common ground and work toward a mutually acceptable agreement.

What is a mediator?

Mediators are neutral third parties who help two or more people or groups resolve conflicts or disputes outside of court. They facilitate communication, encourage understanding, and assist parties in reaching a mutually acceptable agreement. Mediators do not make decisions for the parties, but rather guide the negotiation process and help everyone involved find common ground. This process is often confidential, voluntary, and can be more cost-effective and quicker than litigation.

What is the difference between Mediator vs Arbitrator?

AspectMediatorArbitrator
CredentialsNone mandatory, but certifications like CCM or mediator training are commonOften requires legal background or specific arbitration certifications
Work EnvironmentFacilitates negotiations in a neutral setting, often in offices or onlineHears disputes and makes binding or non-binding decisions, in formal hearings
Industry UsageUsed across legal, commercial, family, and workplace disputesPrimarily in legal, commercial, and labor disputes

While mediators facilitate discussions to help parties reach an agreement without making decisions, arbitrators hear disputes and render binding or non-binding decisions. Both roles require strong communication skills, but arbitrators often have legal or specialized training, whereas mediators focus on negotiation and conflict resolution. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right professional for dispute resolution needs.

Is mediator a good career?

A mediator is a professional who facilitates dispute resolution outside of court, often requiring strong communication, negotiation skills, and relevant certifications. The field can offer a flexible schedule and the opportunity to help parties reach agreements, but income and job demand vary by region and industry.
More about Mediator jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Mediator jobs in California?

The most popular types of Mediator jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Mediator jobs in California?

For Mediator jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Mediator jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Mediator jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Mediator jobs?

Cities in California with the most Mediator job openings:

What are popular job titles related to Mediator jobs in CA?

For Mediator jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Mediator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Mediator job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, and 13% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $97,056 per year, or $46.7 per hour.

Child Custody Recommending Counselor/Mediator

Superior Court of California, County of Riverside

Riverside, CA

$44.24 - $57.66/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted yesterday

New

Job description

The Superior Court of California, County of Riverside is seeking a skilled Child Custody Recommending Counselor/Mediator to join our Family Court Services team. This is a unique opportunity to apply your clinical and mediation expertise in a setting where your work can have a meaningful and lasting impact on children and families.

About the Role

As a Child Custody Recommending Counselor/Mediator, you will work with parents navigating child custody and visitation disputes, helping them explore solutions that support the best interests of their children.

You will conduct confidential mediation, assess complex family dynamics, facilitate productive discussions between parties, and work toward mutually acceptable parenting plans. When an agreement cannot be reached, you will evaluate the information presented and prepare a professional written recommendation for the Court.

What You'll Do

In this role, you will:

  • Conduct confidential mediation involving child custody and visitation matters.
  • Interview parents and review court case information to identify issues and explore opportunities for resolution.
  • Facilitate negotiations and help parties develop child custody and visitation agreements.
  • Prepare clear, objective, and well-supported written recommendations for the Court when parties are unable to reach an agreement.
  • Assess risk factors that may affect the safety and well-being of children, including domestic violence, substance abuse, and child abuse concerns.
  • Collaborate with professionals and agencies such as Child Protective Services, therapists, minors' counsel, school personnel, supervised visitation monitors, and law enforcement.
  • Provide professional guidance and information to the Court, parties, attorneys, community agencies, and members of the public.
  • Stay current on developments in family law, child development, mental health, family dynamics, mediation, and alternative dispute resolution.
  • Provide testimony when ordered by the Court or subpoenaed.

What We're Looking For

The ideal candidate is an experienced counseling professional who is comfortable navigating high-conflict and emotionally sensitive situations while maintaining professionalism, neutrality, and discretion.

Successful candidates will demonstrate strong skills in:

  • Mediation, negotiation, and conflict resolution
  • Counseling and interviewing
  • Assessing complex and conflicting information
  • Family dynamics and child development
  • Identifying concerns involving domestic violence, abuse, and substance abuse
  • Written analysis and professional report writing
  • Managing a demanding caseload and competing priorities
  • Communicating effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds
  • Exercising independent judgment in sensitive situations

Minimum Qualifications

Education:
A master's degree in psychology, social work, marriage, family and child counseling, or another behavioral science substantially related to marriage and family interpersonal relationships.

Experience:
At least two years of experience in counseling or psychotherapy, preferably in a setting related to the responsibilities of a family conciliation court and serving diverse populations.

Candidates must also meet the applicable requirements of California Family Code Sections 1815 and 1816 for Family Law conciliation assignments.

This recruitment is being conducted to fill a current vacancy in Riverside, CA, and will also establish a countywide eligibility list for future vacancies.

For a complete list of the qualifications and essential duties, please refer to the job description.
Riverside is the fourth largest county in California and the 10th largest in the United States. There are fourteen court facilities spanning 7,300 square miles that serves Riverside’s 2.4 million residents. The courts and its employees hold a unique role in the public sector. The mission of the Riverside Superior Court is, “…in a fair, accessible, effective, and efficient manner, resolve disputes arising under the law and interpret and apply the law consistently, impartially, and independently to protect the rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitutions of California and of the United States.”

At Riverside Superior Court, we reward hard work and dedication!


We offer:


  • Annual merit increases for satisfactory job performance

  • A robust benefit plan including medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance

  • A pension plan provided by the California Public Employer's Retirement System also known as CalPERS. You will contribute between 7% and 8% of your biweekly pay, depending on your membership status

  • Optional deferred compensation programs

  • Generous leave accruals

  • Fourteen (14) paid holidays

  • Bereavement leave

  • Tuition discounts

  • Qualified employer for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) or Temporary Expanded PSLF (TEPSLF) Certification  


All applicants are required to submit a completed online application and supplemental questionnaire. To learn more about how to create an application, click HERE.

Résumés will not be accepted in lieu of the required application and supplemental questionnaire.

Human Resources will review applications to identify candidates who meet the minimum qualifications; therefore, it is to your benefit to include all current and previous related work experience. When listing Court experience, please include dates and classification of each position held, if more than one. 

Selection Procedures:
This recruitment will remain open until the needs of the Court have been met and may close at any time.  However, the deadline to apply for first round consideration is Thursday, September 03, 2026, at 11:59 PM PST.
All applications will be reviewed to identify candidates who meet the minimum qualifications; those candidates deemed most qualified may be invited to an online or written assessment, if applicable.
Candidates who take and successfully pass the assessment may be invited to an oral panel interview. Candidates who are successful in the interview may be placed on an eligible list. Placement on an eligible list is not a guarantee of employment.
Additional steps for the selection process may include a comprehensive background check and drug test.

Status Notifications
You will be notified by email and/or text message during the process of this recruitment through governmentjobs.com. Please check your email spam/junk folders and accept emails ending with governmentjobs.com and riverside.courts.ca.gov. If your information changes, please update your profile at www.governmentjobs.com.

Reasonable Accommodations
Riverside Superior Court provides reasonable accommodations upon request for applicants with disabilities. Please contact the Human Resources Department at 951-777-3017 or Recruitment@riverside.courts.ca.gov if you feel you will need an accommodation for any aspect of the selection process. The Human Resources Department requests that it be advised of special needs at least five days prior to the examination so that a reasonable accommodation may be made.

Compensation details: 44.24-57.66 Hourly Wage


PI949d1a75c796-25405-41331215

Apply