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Professional Mediator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Napa County Superior Court

Mediator

Napa, CA · On-site

$58K - $69K/yr

Responds to crisis situations in a professional manner. * Performs other duties as assigned Typical Qualifications QUALIFICATIONS Knowledge of: * Advanced mediation and facilitation theories ...

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$43.5K

$98.3K

$235K

How much do professional mediator jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for professional mediator in the United States is $98,344.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $65,000.00 and $107,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Professional Mediator vs Arbitrator?

AspectProfessional MediatorArbitrator
CredentialsOften requires mediation training, certifications, or specific mediator credentialsRequires arbitration certifications, legal background, or specific arbitration training
Work EnvironmentFacilitates negotiations between parties, often in offices or neutral settingsHears disputes, makes binding decisions, often in arbitration hearings or tribunals
Industry UsageCommonly used in legal, family, commercial, and workplace disputesPrimarily used in legal, commercial, and contractual disputes

Professional mediators focus on facilitating dialogue and helping parties reach voluntary agreements, while arbitrators make binding decisions after hearing evidence. Both roles require specialized training and are used in dispute resolution, but mediators emphasize collaboration, whereas arbitrators act as decision-makers.

What kind of mediator makes the most money?

In the mediation field, commercial mediators who handle complex business disputes tend to earn higher salaries due to the size and value of the cases they manage. Experienced mediators with specialized certifications and a strong reputation can command higher fees, especially when working with high-stakes or corporate clients.

What are the 4 types of mediators?

In the context of professional mediators, the four main types are facilitative, evaluative, transformative, and narrative mediators. Facilitative mediators focus on guiding parties to their own agreement, evaluative mediators provide assessments and suggestions, transformative mediators aim to improve relationships, and narrative mediators help reframe the conflict through storytelling. Each type requires different skills and approaches suited to various dispute resolution settings.

How much do you get paid to be a mediator?

Professional mediators typically earn between $30,000 and $100,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and the complexity of cases handled. Many mediators work as independent contractors or in law firms, and some charge hourly rates ranging from $100 to $300 or more. Payment can vary based on certification, specialization, and whether they work full-time or part-time.

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

To thrive as a Professional Mediator, you need a strong background in conflict resolution, negotiation, and legal or social sciences education, often supported by formal mediation training or certification. Familiarity with case management systems, mediation frameworks, and relevant legal documentation is typically required. Exceptional active listening, impartiality, and communication skills help mediators build trust and guide parties toward mutually acceptable solutions. These competencies are essential for facilitating productive dialogue and achieving effective, lasting resolutions in disputes.

What are the common challenges faced by professional mediators during complex dispute resolution sessions?

Professional mediators often encounter challenges such as managing high emotions between parties, ensuring balanced participation, and maintaining neutrality throughout the process. Complex disputes may involve multiple stakeholders with differing interests, which requires skillful facilitation to keep discussions constructive and focused on resolution. Mediators also need to handle confidentiality concerns and adapt their approach to different communication styles, all while guiding parties toward mutually agreeable solutions.

Is there a demand for mediators?

The demand for professional mediators is growing as organizations and individuals seek alternative dispute resolution methods to avoid litigation. Mediators are employed in various settings such as legal, workplace, family, and community disputes, with job opportunities increasing as awareness of mediation benefits expands. Certification and strong communication skills can enhance employability in this field.

What are professional mediators?

Professional mediators are trained, neutral third parties who help individuals or groups resolve disputes and reach mutually acceptable agreements. They facilitate communication, encourage understanding, and assist parties in exploring options for resolution without taking sides or imposing decisions. Mediators work in various settings such as legal, workplace, family, and community disputes, using structured processes to promote fair and constructive outcomes.
More about Professional Mediator jobs
What cities are hiring for Professional Mediator jobs? Cities with the most Professional Mediator job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Mediator jobs? The most popular types of Mediator jobs are:
What states have the most Professional Mediator jobs? States with the most job openings for Professional Mediator jobs include:
Professional Mediator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Professional Mediator job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 22% Locum Tenens, 21% Internship, 6% Full Time, 1% Part Time, 45% Nights, and 5% Summer. Highlights an 89% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $98,344 per year, or $47.3 per hour.

Mediator

Napa County Superior Court

Napa, CA • On-site

$58K - $69K/yr

Part-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 22 days ago

Job description

Salary : $58,131.84 - $69,663.36 Annually
Location : 825 Brown Street Napa, CA
Job Type: Part Time
Job Number: 202400055
Department: Legal Services
Opening Date: 07/09/2026
Closing Date: 7/31/2026 5:00 PM Pacific
Description
Position Description
Under general supervision, the mediator performs multi-party mediation and drafts agreements of the parties. Mediator will work 24 hours per week.
Distinguishing Characteristics
Mediators perform their function in a neutral and impartial manner to assist high conflict parties resolve disputes in a non-adversarial manner reducing the need for further litigation. Incumbents mediate disputes in civil law matters primarily related to child custody and/or visitation issues that often involve parental conflicts, domestic violence, restraining orders, substance abuse, and mental health issues.
Examples of Duties
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES - Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
  • Conducts confidential non-recommending mediation of assigned child custody/visitation disputes in cases of separation or divorce, often involving substance abuse, domestic violence or mental health issues. Incumbents assist parties in reaching fully informed agreements in the best interest of the child; conduct confidential conferences to understand the positions of the parties with the goal of reaching consensus; examine the needs of involved children; and prepare custody/visitation parenting plans for signature by the parties.
  • Conducts confidential non-recommending mediation of civil matters including family law issues, small claims, landlord/tenant, neighbor disputes, and other matters as assigned by the court.
  • Educates the parties about the court system, scope of mediation services, and when appropriate, the impacts of divorce, separation, and other conflicts on children and other human development issues, such as bonding and developmental stages.
  • Assesses risk factors including domestic violence, lethality, and potential for danger to self and others; takes appropriate action to secure safe participation in mediation; reports child abuse and neglect cases to appropriate authorities in accordance with statutory requirements; completes reports and contacts agencies as required by law.
  • Monitors current developments in the law, clinical studies, trends, and other information pertaining to subject areas related to the assignment including child development and healthy family relationships.
  • Performs administrative duties to update case management systems.
  • Maintains confidentiality of court records and documents.
  • Participates in state and regional training including domestic violence training.
  • Responds to crisis situations in a professional manner.
  • Performs other duties as assigned

Typical Qualifications
QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:
  • Advanced mediation and facilitation theories, principles, practices and techniques applicable to multi-party cases and of interviewing for the purpose of assessing families, parents and children.
  • General legal principles including civil law and procedure, family law, consumer law, probate and child welfare; functions and organization of the judicial system, including the various divisions of the court and other partnership agencies.
  • Counseling and social work theory, practices and techniques including developmental psychology, educational psychology, psychopathology, family dynamics, family systems, domestic violence, substance abuse treatment and prevention, risk assessment, crisis intervention and interaction between developmental needs and appropriate visitation and custody arrangements.
  • Child development, child abuse, clinical issues relating to children, the effects of divorce on children, the effects of domestic violence on children, and child custody research sufficient to enable a counselor to assess the mental health needs of children.
  • Cultural and socio-economic issues, and conditions relevant to the work, including cross-generational issues, local demographics and the impact of poverty on family relationships; special needs of dependent children, including their educational, medical, psychosocial and mental health needs.
  • Community and agency resources and services for dealing with domestic and family violence, substance abuse, housing, educational, medical, psychosocial and mental health needs of families.
  • Current trends in the field of counseling, social work, psychology and law.
  • Legal and ethical issues pertaining to delivery of professional services.
Ability to:
  • Encourage open communications to develop agreements while maintaining confidentiality and neutrality.
  • Learn, understand, and apply civil law and other statutes to areas of assigned responsibility.
  • Effectively use specialized knowledge of theories and practice to diffuse conflict while working with litigants within established ethical boundaries.
  • Exercise tact, objectivity, sensitivity, discretion, courtesy and judgment in handling highly emotional issues with a variety of people, from a variety of socio- economic and cultural backgrounds.
  • Incorporate latest training and information about trends into practice.
  • Operate a computer using standard business software and other standard office equipment.
  • Communicate clearly and effectively in English.
  • Establish and maintain effective working relationships with judicial staff and community-based partners.
Experience and Education
Any combination of training and experience which would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:
  • Education equivalent to a Master of Arts Degree from an accredited college or university in psychology, social work, marriage, family and child counseling or other behavioral science substantially related to marriage and family interpersonal relationships plus substantial experience in mediation and custody investigations, family counseling, child protective services, or family conciliation.
  • Two years of experience or more in counseling or psychotherapy, or both, preferably in a setting related to the areas of responsibility of the family conciliation court and with the ethnic population to be served.
Required Licenses
A valid California Class C Driver's License or the ability to use private transportation, properly insured, to travel throughout Napa County.
Additional Desirable Qualifications:
  • A licensed mental health professional.
  • Oral and written fluency in Spanish.
  • Proficient use of Microsoft Office suite of programs.

Supplemental Information
WORKING CONDITIONS, ADA AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS
The Napa Superior Court is an equal opportunity employer. The Napa Superior Court will comply with its obligations under the law to provide equal employment opportunities to qualified individuals with disabilities.
Positions in this class typically require: sitting, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions.
Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.
Incumbents generally work in a typical office environment with adequate light and temperature.
Please Note: The Napa Superior Court classifies work based on organizational need. The distinguishing characteristics, essential duties and minimum qualifications described in this specification relate to the body of work required and not to the attributes of an incumbent assigned to perform the work.
CalPERS Retirement
Vacation: 12 days annually initially
Sick Leave: 12 days annually
Personal Leave: 24 hours annually per year (pro-rated based on hire date)
Wellness Leave: 16 hours annually
Holidays: 13 days annually
CalPERS medical insurance (PPO and HMO Options)
Vision Service Plan insurance
Delta Dental Insurance (Premium fully paid by the Court)
Life Insurance ($40,000 Court paid with additional coverage options available for purchase by employee)
Deferred Compensation Plan
Wellness Program
Employee Assistance Program
Flexible Spending Accounts

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