Career Opportunities

Alternative Dispute Resolution Director

Job Location

Manatee, Sarasota and DeSoto Counties

Position Available

January 1, 2027

Salary

$60,996.00 yearly payable $5,080.50 monthly (non-negotiable); State employees are paid on the last workday of each month. The successful candidate will be hired at the minimum salary. Benefits include membership in the Florida Retirement System and a generous contribution by the State to health insurance premiums. 

Job

The Twelfth Judicial Circuit is seeking an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Director. This is managerial and supervisory work directing the operations of a variety of mediation services of the Alternative Dispute Resolution and Mediation Programs for a trial court including program oversight, training, implementing policies and procedures, program development and quality assurance, planning and budgeting, preparing statistical analyses and report writing.

The ADR Director will coordinate and provide administrative support functions for all circuit-wide-court-connected ADR activities, including Citizen Dispute Settlement Program, county (including small claims), family and dependency mediations in the 12th Circuit.  Mediate family and dependency cases, and mediate small claims when needed. 

Essential Duties

• Supervise court mediation department staff and volunteer mediators.
• Active program development, monitoring of existing programs, and continuous program enhancement.
• Assign and evaluate work of staff.
• Implement policies and procedures and ensure compliance.
• Consult with staff to resolve problems and issues.
• Collaboration and communication with judiciary, court staff, agencies, stakeholders, and litigants.
• Mediate in Sarasota, Bradenton, and Arcadia.
• Conducts family mediations, facilitating the discussion of legal issues between involved parties for court referred family division related cases dealing with issues such as parental responsibility, time-sharing, equitable distribution, child support, alimony, relocation, etc., and informs litigants about the mediation process prior to commencement of every mediation.
• Conducts dependency mediations, facilitating the discussion of legal issues between involved parties for court referred dependency related cases during the arraignment, adjudication, foster care review, shelter, detention, of termination stage of the case, and informs litigants about the mediation process prior to commencement of every mediation.
• Reviews case files, pleadings and other documents pertinent to cases. Prepares/drafts settlement agreements, court orders or impasse reports on all cases mediated; reviews agreements with all parties involved and manages execution of agreements by parties.
• Maintain certification as a Florida Supreme Court certified family, county and dependency mediator to mediate cases.
• Compile and report data and statistics for the UDR, Compendium, and other special reports documenting activities.
• Review staff time and attendance and mileage reimbursement requests.
• Organize, host or conduct meetings and trainings for staff mediators and volunteers.
• Assist with Court Administration duties as requested.
• Serve as liaison to the Florida Dispute Resolution Center.
• Serve as liaison to community and professional organizations.
• Exchange information with court personnel outside the department.
• Coordinate program services with judges.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

This position requires basic knowledge of the legal system; family court processes and procedures; knowledge of Florida’s mediation rules; and the following knowledge, skills, and abilities: 

• Ability to supervise and motivate professional and support staff.
• Knowledge of the operations of the Florida State Courts System. 
• Knowledge of the Standards of Professional Conduct for certified and court-appointed mediators.
• Knowledge of the concepts and goals of mediation, conflict resolution theories, techniques, and negotiation processes. 
• Knowledge of the principles of public, business, or personnel administration. 
• Knowledge of problem solving techniques and social and behavioral psychology, including group dynamics and interaction.  
• Knowledge of and the ability to apply methods of data collection, analysis and presentation.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely orally and in writing.
• Ability to evaluate the effectiveness of services, recommend and implement improvements to the program. 
• Ability to provide the Court with findings and recommendations in verbal and/or written format, which allows incorporation into court orders.
• Ability to prepare and maintain confidential case records.
• Ability to work independently, establish priorities and define program goals.
• Ability to operate a personal computer and use software applications supported by the state court system.
• Maintain confidentiality concerning sensitive issues before the court.
• Maintain effective working relationships with other court personnel, outside agencies, legal professionals and the general public.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in business administration, social work, law or closely related field, and certification as a Circuit Civil or Family Mediator is required and five years of related experience to include two years supervisory experience. Additional relevant education may substitute for the recommended experience on a year-for-year basis, excluding supervisory experience. 

Benefits

For more information on the State of Florida benefits please click here!

Apply

Interested applicants must submit a current State of Florida Application to the Human Resources Manager of the Twelfth Judicial Circuit along with a copy of mediation certifications. A cover letter and current resume are encouraged. Application materials may be submitted electronically (preferred) or via mail delivery. 

Email: HR@jud12.flcourts.org

Twelfth Judicial Circuit
Human Resources Manager
P.O. Box 48927
Sarasota, FL 34230
Fax (941)861-7904

The successful applicant will be subject to a Criminal Background Check.  The Florida State Courts System is a criminal justice agency. We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex, age, national origin, or disability.  If you need an accommodation in order to participate in the application or selection process, please call 941-861-7811.

Pursuant to 110.205(2)(c) of the Florida Statutes, employment with the State Courts System is not covered under the Career Service System and all employees of the State System serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority and do not attain tenure rights.