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Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators

Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators is the O*NET name for people who facilitate negotiation and conflict resolution through dialogue. The skills rated most useful are negotiation, active listening, and writing. You may also need to prepare written opinions or decisions regarding cases. Its interest code is ECS. Enterprising leads at 4.6 out of 7, so expect leading, persuading and making business decisions, with Conventional next at 4.3. Getting in usually takes graduate school and often five years or more of related experience, a level O*NET calls extensive preparation. Expect to apply relevant laws, regulations, policies, or precedents to reach conclusions. If you want leading, persuading and making business decisions, keep it on your list. If you need hands-on work with tools, machines or the physical world, it may feel thin.

What they do

Facilitate negotiation and conflict resolution through dialogue. Resolve conflicts outside of the court system by mutual consent of parties involved.

Main tasks

  • Prepare written opinions or decisions regarding cases.
  • Apply relevant laws, regulations, policies, or precedents to reach conclusions.
  • Conduct hearings to obtain information or evidence relative to disposition of claims.
  • Determine extent of liability according to evidence, laws, or administrative or judicial precedents.
  • Rule on exceptions, motions, or admissibility of evidence.
  • Confer with disputants to clarify issues, identify underlying concerns, and develop an understanding of their respective needs and interests.

Skills

  • Negotiation
  • Active Listening
  • Writing
  • Speaking
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Critical Thinking

Who this career fits

May suit you if

  • You like taking the lead and making the call.
  • You like clear rules and getting the details right.
  • You are prepared for graduate-level study and a long training path.
  • You are comfortable relying on negotiation and active listening.

May not suit you if

  • You would rather not persuade, sell or manage other people.
  • You want to work with your hands for most of the day. Realistic rates 1.1 out of 7 here.
  • You want to be working in the field within the next few years.

Interest profile

O*NET rates each occupation from 1 to 7 on six interest types. The code ECS takes the three highest, and Enterprising comes first here.

Preparation

Extensive preparation. Many jobs here need graduate study, and people often spend five years or more building specialist experience.

Most-reported requirement in the O*NET survey: First Professional Degree. This reflects what workers reported most often and is not a legal minimum. Licensing rules can differ by state or industry, so confirm what applies where you plan to work.

Also called

  • Alternative Dispute Resolution Coordinator (ADR Coordinator)
  • Arbiter
  • Arbitrator
  • Divorce Mediator
  • Family Mediator

Related careers

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This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.