Getting Involved at Multi-Door

The Multi-Door Dispute Resolution Division of the DC Superior Court (the "Division" or "Multi Door") seeks to attract a diverse mediator panel which reflects the community it serves. To that end, there are two tracks to become a mediator with Multi-Door:

• through training (periodically, when the programs determine a need for new mediators) or
• through the Open Enrollment process for highly-qualified mediators (anytime on a rolling basis). Please do NOT use the Open Enrollment application to apply for training.

The Multi-Door Division will be training a new class of mediators in October 2008. THE DEADLINE TO APPLY HAS PASSED. The review of applications is in progress, and selections will be made on a rolling basis. Applicants will be notified as soon as selected for training, but no later than September 25, 2008.

If you would like to be notified of future trainings (whether or not you applied for the October 2008 training), please submit your e-mail address at the link below.

Multi-Door offers training on an as-needed basis to recruit skilled, enthusiastic volunteers into its programs. The applicant pool is quite large, and the selection process is competitive. Volunteering at Multi-Door is a significant commitment.

Current and former Multi-Door mediators interested in joining another Multi-Door program, please click here.

TRAINING

To become a mediator through training with the Multi-Door Division, an applicant must fulfill ALL six requirements listed below within the prescribed time. Also see additional information about the application and training process. A candidate must:

1. Apply to and be selected for training with one of the mediation programs within the Multi-Door Division (Family, Child Protection, Small Claims, Landlord/Tenant, or Civil).
2. Successfully complete basic mediation training or obtain a waiver. To complete basic training, attendance at all 4 days is mandatory (October 2, 3, 6 and 7, 2008). Each day of training is a full work day during business hours.
3. Within 3 weeks of finishing basic training, successfully complete a specialized training specific to the applicable mediation program (October 14-21, 2008). Specific dates are below.
• Family training: October 15, 17 and 21, 2008
• Child Protection training: October 14, 16 and 20, 2008
• Small Claims training: October 14 and 17, 2008
• Landlord and Tenant training: October 15 and 20, 2008
• Civil training: October 16 and 21, 2008
4. Within 6 months of finishing specialized training, successfully complete a mentorship training specific to the applicable mediation program. The exact duration and schedule varies by program and by the individual progress of a prospective mediator, but will not exceed 6 months.
5. Within 2 months of finishing a mentorship, successfully complete a required number of hours mediating without a stipend in the applicable program (exact duration varies by program from 6 to 9 hours).
6. After fulfilling the obligation to mediate without a stipend, a mediator must successfully complete a 1-year probation period during which stipends will be provided. Mediators are expected to participate regularly throughout the probation year. Participation requirements for individual programs are outlined in the table below. The requirement does not create an obligation for the program to supply a prospective mediator with the guaranteed number of hours. Based on the program's case load, the number of hours may be less. Until a 1-year commitment is fulfilled, an applicant is considered on probation and is not formally placed on the mediation roster.

Schedule

Additional Information About the Application and Training Process

• The selection process has been designed to assess applicant aptitude for mediation, give applicants an understanding of the mediation process at Multi-Door, and give applicants information about mediation training. The selection process may include an orientation session as well as individual interviews. The selection committee consists of staff members and, for select programs, veteran mediators.
• Applicants have the option to apply for training in more than one program. However applicants will be admitted to only one training program at a time. Candidates must complete the entire training progression, including the probation period, before being eligible to apply for training in another Multi-Door program. If applying to more than one program, applicants are advised to rank their program preference. The selection committee will take this into account when extending offers to applicants.
• To be selected for training in the Civil Mediation Program, applicants must be attorneys currently admitted to the bar in any state.
• Multi-Door expects candidates to progress through training, mentorship and probation without delay. Candidates must complete each step within the time frame associated with it. Those who fail to do so will be prohibited from participation in the program for which they applied. Exceptions may be made for trainees with extenuating life circumstances such as extended periods of debilitating illness. To obtain an exception, a trainee may be asked to furnish proof of the extenuating circumstance. The Multi-Door Dispute Resolution Director has sole and final authority to determine what constitutes a serious extenuating circumstance and what relief or exception can be granted.
• Based on a candidate's performance, Multi-Door reserves the right to dismiss a candidate at any point during training, mentorship, or probation.
• To maintain good standing, mediators admitted to Multi-Door's roster are expected to fulfill several requirements.
  1. Ongoing continuing education - Multi-Door periodically facilitates workshops and in-service trainings on site.
  2. Ethics trainings - Each mediator is required to get training in ethics once every 24 months.
  3. Active mediation - Each mediator is expected to maintain an active status in the program by mediating for the Superior Court of the District of Columbia as required by individual programs. The Multi-Door Division Director can make exceptions due to extenuating circumstances.
  4. Multi-Door reserves the right to remove mediators from the roster at any time based on their performance.
• Mediators who participate in more than one program roster must comply with continuing education requirements for each program.

Multi-Door offers training on an as-needed basis to recruit skilled, enthusiastic volunteers into its programs.

Current and Former Multi-Door Mediators may apply to be added to the roster of another mediation program within Multi-Door in one of two ways:

• through training or
• through the Open Enrollment process for highly-qualified mediators. Please do NOT use the Open Enrollment application to apply for the training.

To be considered for training with another Multi-Door program, current and former Multi-Door mediators must first fulfill a one-year commitment for their initially-chosen program (as described in Step 6). After a 1-year commitment is fulfilled, current and former Multi-Door mediators may apply for training with another mediation program by meeting the 6 training requirements. The waiver of basic mediation training is automatically granted to all current Multi-Door mediators. Former Multi-Door mediators must request a waiver. No other requirements can be waived for current or former Multi-Door mediators.

Requesting a Basic Mediation Training Waiver

Applicants who demonstrate completion of a comparable training through a recognized provider may be offered a waiver for the 4-day basic mediation training. To be considered for a waiver, a candidate must fill out the Mediation Training and Experience section of the application. In addition, a candidate must submit evidence of attending basic mediation training, such as a certificate of completion, a statement on an institutional letterhead attesting to attendance, or other appropriate substitute. Additional steps in obtaining a waiver may include in-person interviews and observations of role plays. The Multi-Door Division Director will have the sole and final authority to grant waivers and establish any additional steps necessary to obtain a waiver.

OPEN ENROLLMENT

To become a Multi-Door mediator through the Open Enrollment process, a mediator must hold substantial mediation training and experience in the subject matter of the applicable program. Applying through the open enrollment process does not guarantee an applicant will be selected for a program roster. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and candidates are invited to participate based on the needs of each program. Persons interested in the Family Mediation or Child Protection programs must complete supplemental applications. Multi-Door staff will observe qualified candidates in a mediation session. Select candidates will be invited to mediate at Multi-Door.

The Open Enrollment Application contains complete details on the process. Please do NOT use the Open Enrollment application to apply for the training.

Two programs require additional information from their open enrollment applicants.

The Supplemental Family Open Enrollment Application can be found here. Please use this supplement ONLY to apply to the Family Program through Open Enrollment.

Supplemental Child Protection Open Enrollment Application can be found here. Please use this supplement ONLY to apply to the Child Protection Program through Open Enrollment.

Multi-Door offers training on an as-needed basis to recruit skilled, enthusiastic volunteers into its programs.

GENERAL TRAINING INQUIRIES CAN BE DIRECTED TO THE TRAINING TEAM AT MultiDoorTraining@dcsc.gov.

Family Mediation

Child Protection

Small Claims

Community, Information, and Referral Program

Civil Mediation

Landlord and Tenant

Tax Mediation

Probate Mediation

Arbitration

Case Evaluation