Housing Court Specialist (Mediator)

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
The following duties describe the general nature and level of work performed by the Housing Court Specialist. They are not intended to constitute a comprehensive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the position. Other duties may be assigned by the Judge, Court Administrator, or Chief Housing Court Specialist.

• Conduct mediations as a primary function of the position, facilitating neutral, structured discussions among tenants, landlords, property owners, attorneys, and other interested parties in housing-related disputes referred by the Court.
• Prepare for and manage mediation sessions by reviewing available case information, identifying the matters in dispute, explaining the mediation process and the mediator’s neutral role, and establishing a professional environment that supports productive communication and problem-solving.
• Assist parties in identifying issues, interests, and potential areas of agreement; facilitate communication and negotiation; and support parties in developing voluntary, mutually acceptable resolutions without providing legal advice or advocating for either party.
• Accurately document mediation activity, attendance, status, outcomes, agreements, referrals, and required follow-up in the Court’s electronic case-management system and other required records, consistent with confidentiality requirements and Court procedures.
• Assist with rent-deposit hearings and related proceedings and coordinate appropriate follow-up on matters arising from mediation or other Housing Court processes.
•  Communicate to tenants, landlords, and other interested parties' general information regarding rights, duties, and responsibilities established under Ohio Revised Code Chapter 5321, commonly known as the Ohio Landlord-Tenant Act, without providing legal advice.
• Provide procedural assistance to interested parties, including information regarding appropriate Court forms for pleadings, motions, rent deposits, complaints, and other filings, without providing legal advice.
• Assist parties with matters involving the restoration of utility services when services may have been improperly terminated and facilitate communication or referrals as appropriate.
• Respond to telephone calls, walk-in inquiries, and other communications from members of the public concerning mediation, housing, property, and landlord tenant matters, and provide appropriate procedural information and referrals.
• Provide outreach, intake, assessment, resources, and referrals to identify party needs and connect individuals with appropriate community resources and service providers that may assist in resolving housing-related disputes.
• Communicate and coordinate, as appropriate, with attorneys, inspectors, governmental agencies, community development corporations, neighborhood organizations, social-service providers, and other community partners in support of mediation, case resolution, and Housing Court services.
• Attend and participate in neighborhood, community, and agency meetings and provide general information regarding Housing Court mediation programs, procedures, services, and available resources.
• Maintain required continuing-education and professional-development hours and successfully complete mediation training administered or approved by the Supreme Court of Ohio and any other training required by the Court or department.
• Maintain neutrality, professionalism, confidentiality, and appropriate boundaries in mediation and other case-related interactions, consistent with applicable Court policies, mediation standards, and ethical requirements.
• As assigned and following required training, perform community control and case-management functions, including presentence investigations, status updates, alternative sentencing programs, monitoring compliance with Court orders, field visits, property observations, reports, and testimony to the Court.
• As assigned, provide educational information and resources regarding appropriate property-management and tenant-screening practices to interested landlords, consistent with the scope of the position.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Applicants must possess a combination of education, experience, skills, and personal characteristics sufficient to demonstrate the ability to successfully perform the duties of the position. Minimum qualifications include:

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, preferably in conflict resolution, mediation, social work, psychology, sociology, public administration, criminal justice, urban studies, or a related field. Relevant professional experience may be considered in lieu of the degree requirement.
• Strong interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills, with demonstrated ability to facilitate difficult conversations, manage conflict, listen actively, remain neutral, and communicate effectively with individuals experiencing stressful or contentious circumstances.
• Experience in mediation, alternative dispute resolution, conflict resolution, court services, landlord-tenant matters, housing, legal services, social services, government, or a related environment is preferred.
•  Ability to manage multiple mediation matters, appointments, case responsibilities, and follow-up requirements while maintaining accurate, timely, concise, and confidential documentation.
•  Ability to communicate clearly and professionally with litigants, attorneys, judicial officers, Court staff, governmental agencies, and community partners, including providing information or testimony on the record when required.
• Knowledge of, or ability to learn, federal, state, and municipal laws applicable to landlord-tenant and housing-related matters, including Ohio Revised Code Chapter 5321, while understanding the distinction between providing procedural information and legal advice.
• Demonstrated conflict-resolution, problem-solving, negotiation, de-escalation, active-listening, and facilitation skills, with the ability to remain impartial and exercise sound judgment.
• Ability to accommodate varying work demands, including mediations, hearings, community meetings, field assignments, and occasional assignments outside regular work hours.
• Knowledge of common office practices, procedures, technology, and equipment, including the ability to maintain organized electronic case records and confidential information.
• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and the ability to learn Court-specific case-management, mediation, scheduling, and other business software.
• Valid Ohio driver’s license, automobile insurance, and reliable access to a vehicle for required field assignments.

COURT EXPECTATIONS OF EMPLOYEES
The Court expects all employees to comply with Court policies, procedures, rules, and directives; maintain professional conduct both inside and outside the workplace; perform assigned duties accurately, thoroughly, and in a timely manner; meet established performance and productivity expectations; and communicate appropriately with supervisors regarding work assignments and departmental matters.

Employees are additionally expected to:

• Communicate effectively and professionally with members of the public, governmental agencies, attorneys, judicial officers, and Court staff.
• Demonstrate effective mediation, conflict-resolution, active-listening, de-escalation, negotiation, problem-solving, and presentation skills while maintaining neutrality and professionalism.
• Prioritize mediation sessions, case assignments, documentation, and follow-up responsibilities and work independently while maintaining strong organizational, time-management, and attention-to-detail skills.
• Demonstrate the ability to work effectively and respectfully with individuals from diverse backgrounds and communities, including parties experiencing conflict, housing instability, or other challenging circumstances.
• Maintain a professional appearance and demeanor appropriate for a representative and neutral facilitator of the Court.
• Maintain the confidentiality of sensitive Court, employee, litigant, mediation, and case-related information consistent with applicable requirements.
• Demonstrate dependability, reliability, punctuality, and regular attendance, including timely preparation for scheduled mediations and Court proceedings.
• Exercise patience, objectivity, neutrality, maturity, initiative, adaptability, sound judgment, and the ability to perform effectively in stressful, emotionally charged, or challenging situations.

AT-WILL EMPLOYMENT / UNCLASSIFIED STATUS
The Housing Court Specialist is an unclassified, at-will employee who serves at the pleasure of the Housing Court Judge. This position is not a civil service position and is not represented by a collective bargaining unit.

Nothing contained in this job description creates or should be construed as creating a contract of employment or a guarantee of employment for any specific period.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS
Employment is contingent upon successful completion of all pre-employment requirements applicable to the position, which may include a criminal background check and drug screening.

The employee must also satisfy any training, certification, licensing, driving, or other requirements applicable to the position.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD
Newly hired Housing Court Specialists will serve a six-month (180-day) probationary period. Successful completion of the probationary period does not alter the employee’s at-will or unclassified employment status.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
The Cleveland Municipal Court – Housing Division is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides equal employment opportunities in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local law.

The City's guiding principles are as follows: Placing Clevelanders at the Center, Empowering Employees to Do Purposeful Work, Defining Clear and Pragmatic Objectives, Leading with Trust and Transparency, Striving for Equity in All We Do, and Embracing Change. All City employees are responsible for embracing and carrying out these principles in all that they do.