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Mediator

Mediators are impartial third parties who help people involved in disputes find mutually acceptable resolutions to their conflicts.

Also Known As

Conciliator, Conflict Resolution Specialist, Dispute Resolution Specialist, Facilitator

NOC Codes

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.

Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.

2006 NOC

  • 1121: Specialists in Human Resources

2006 NOC-S

  • B021: Specialists in Human Resources

2011 NOC

  • 1121: Human resources professionals

2016 NOC

  • 1121: Human resources professionals

2021 NOC

  • 11200: Human resources professionals

2023 OaSIS

  • 11200.00: Human resources professionals
Duties
Updated Mar 22, 2023

Mediators use conflict resolution techniques to help people in conflict reach mutually satisfactory agreements. They try to create an understanding between parties. This helps the parties to come up with ideas that may enable both to move forward.

Mediators do not decide issues or give advice. They help to:

  • Facilitate communication between the parties
  • Clarify the issues they need to resolve
  • Identify underlying concerns
  • Develop a better understanding of the parties’ needs and interests
  • Manage emotions
  • Deal with complex factual material and emotionally challenging matters
  • Find creative solutions that are acceptable to all parties

Mediators also help parties evaluate their solutions. They ensure the participants have fully resolved the issues and satisfied everyone’s needs to the greatest extent possible.

Mediation is used to settle many types of conflicts, including those between:

  • Labour and management
  • Environmental groups and industrial organizations
  • Landlords and tenants
  • Homeowners and contractors
  • Neighbours
  • Spouses or partners
  • Elders, family, and caregivers
  • Guardians
  • Parents and teenaged or adult children
  • Families and estates
  • Parents and teachers
  • Coworkers
  • Business partners
  • Businesses and their customers (such as insurance companies and injured parties)
  • Businesses and their suppliers

They may meet with parties individually or together. During meetings, mediators:

  • Present a meeting agenda
  • Talk about the expectations for mediation
  • Explain the role of the mediator
  • Explain the role of the participants
  • Ask about any concerns the mediator should be aware of

Sometimes parties cannot reach an agreement through mediation. They may then choose other dispute resolution processes such as arbitration or litigation. For more information, see the Arbitrator and Lawyer occupational profiles.

Working Conditions
Updated Mar 22, 2023
  • Strength Required Lift up to 5 kg

Mediators work in a variety of environments. They may meet parties in person, over the phone, or by videoconference. They may conduct meetings anywhere and at any time that is acceptable to all parties.

Interests & Abilities

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Specialists in Human Resources

2006 NOC: 1121

Interest Codes

Interest Codes for This NOC Group
INNOVATIVE

Interest in researching employee benefit programs and health and safety practices to recommend policy changes and modifications, and in planning staffing, total compensation, training and career development, employee assistance, employment equity and affirmative action programs

METHODICAL

Interest in co-ordinating information to administer staffing, total compensation, training and career development, employee assistance, employment equity and affirmative action programs; in co-ordinating employee performance and and appraisal programs, in managing programs and maintaining human resources information and related records systems; and in hiring and overseeing training of staff

SOCIAL

Interest in negotiating collective agreements on behalf of employers or workers; in mediating labour disputes and grievances, providing advice on employee and labour relations, and in advising managers and employees on the interpretation of personnel policies, compensation and benefit programs and collective agreements

Your Interest Codes

To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Reading Interest Codes
A Quick Guide

The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation. 

It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.

Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.

A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.

A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.

Learn About Interests

Abilities

Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Mental Abilities

General Learning Ability

Verbal Ability

Numerical Ability

Visual Abilities

Spatial Perception

Form Perception

Clerical Perception

Physical Abilities

Motor Coordination

Finger Dexterity

Manual Dexterity

Understanding Abilities

A Quick Guide

You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.

The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.

The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.

Learn About Abilities

Traits & Skills
Updated Mar 22, 2023

Mediators need:

  • Patience and calmness
  • Rapport with all kinds of people
  • Creativity and flexibility
  • Communication skills, including active listening skills
  • Analytical thinking
  • The ability to remain unbiased
  • The ability to question effectively and tactfully
  • The ability to work with people who are feeling strong emotions

They should enjoy:

  • Synthesizing information to develop innovative approaches to problems
  • Coordinating information
  • Dealing with people

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Top 10 Skills Employers Are Looking For

Human resources professionals

2016 NOC: 1121

This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 100 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Nov 27, 2023 and Mar 18, 2024.

Review these skills to learn:

  • Whether or not this occupation matches your skill set
  • What training you may need to get these skills
  • What skills to highlight in your resumé, cover letter, and interview.
Tasks: Plan, develop, implement and evaluate human resources policies and programs
Tasks: Co-ordinate employee performance and appraisal programs
Tasks: Hire, train and supervise staff
Tasks: Advise managers and employees on the interpretation of human resources policies, benefit programs and collective agreements
Tasks: Research and prepare occupational classifications, job descriptions and salary scales
Tasks: Administer benefit employment equity and other human resources programs
Experience: 1 year to less than 2 years
Tasks: Negotiate collective agreements on behalf of employers or workers
Tasks: Research employee benefits and health and safety practices and recommend changes
Attention to detail
Educational Requirements
Updated Mar 22, 2023
  • Minimum Education Varies

Although many mediators have a professional background, there are no specified minimum education requirements.

Significant practice to develop skills through formal training, coaching, or mentorship is highly recommended. Some organizations offer chances to volunteer, co-mediate, or observe mediations.


Related Education

The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.

To expand or narrow your search for programs related to this occupation, visit Post-Secondary Programs.

Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.

Additional Information

In Alberta, the following organizations offer alternative dispute resolution (ADR), conflict management, or mediation training:

For details, visit each organization’s website.

Those working in other occupations, such as human resources professionals and lawyers, may take mediation courses to help in their line of work.

Certification Requirements
Updated Mar 22, 2023
  • Certification Not Regulated

The ADR Institute of Canada offers the designation Chartered Mediator (C.Med.) to members who have related training and experience.

The Alberta Family Mediation Society (AFMS) offers the designation Registered Family Mediator to members who have the prescribed levels of training and experience and conform to its standards of practice. Members usually hold a degree in law, social work, or psychology, or have equivalent qualifications.

Employment & Advancement
Updated Mar 22, 2023

Mediators often work in other occupations and contract their services as mediators when they are needed.

Organizations such as the ADR Institute of Alberta and the Alberta Family Mediation Society provide lists of trained mediators to disputants. Being on these lists can help mediators get clients.

Industry Concentration

This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

In the 1121: Human resources professionals occupational group, 76.1% of people work in:

Employment Outlook

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

  • Time of year (for seasonal jobs)
  • Location in Alberta
  • Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
  • Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
  • Size of the occupation
  • Trends and events that affect overall employment, especially in the industry or industries from the previous list

In Alberta, the 1121: Human resources professionals occupational group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 1.8% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 212 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.

Note
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For example, only some of the new positions to be created will be for this occupation. It also applies to other data for the NOC group such as number of people employed.

Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

Related Alberta Job Postings
Wage & Salary
Updated Mar 22, 2023

Wages and salary structures vary. Mediators may be paid per hour, per day, per mediation, or on a fee-for-service contract basis. Those employed as legal professionals often earn higher wages.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Human resources professionals

2016 NOC: 1121
Average Wage
$43.66
Per Hour
Average Salary
$86,410.00
Per Year
Average Hours
38.1
Per Week
Average Months on Payroll
12
Survey Methodology Survey Analysis

Source
2021 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey

NOC 1121 Wage Profile

Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.

All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.

To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.

Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.

A: High Reliability
Data Reliability Code Definition

High Reliability, represents a CV of less than or equal to 6.00% and 30 survey observations and/or represents 50% or more of all estimated employment for the occupation.


Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
  • Low
  • High
  • Average
  • Median
Starting
Overall
Top

Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
Wages* Low (5th percentile) High (95th percentile) Average Median
Starting $21.63 $60.36 $36.60 $34.83
Overall $25.64 $66.13 $43.66 $43.60
Top $27.85 $77.39 $51.63 $50.69

Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.

* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.

Pay brackets for hourly wages

  • Starting pay: average pay offered for entry-level positions
  • Overall pay: average pay across all employees in this occupation
  • Top pay: average pay offered to top-paid employees

Industry Information

ALL INDUSTRIES
Oil & Gas Extraction
Construction
Manufacturing
Retail Trade
Transportation and Warehousing
Information, Culture, Recreation
Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, Leasing
Professional, Scientific & Technical Services
Educational Services
Health Care & Social Assistance
Accommodation & Food Services
Other Services (Repair, Personal Services and Related)
Public Administration

Skills Shortage

Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
25%
25%)
Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties
5%
5%
Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over 4 Months
2%
2%
Vacancy Rate
1%
Related Post-Secondary Field of Study
  • Social Sciences, Law and Religious Studies
  • Social, Community and Protective Services
Other Sources of Information
Updated Mar 22, 2023

ADR Institute of Alberta (ADRIA) website: www.adralberta.com

ADR Institute of Canada (ADRIC) website: adric.ca

ADR Learning Institute website: adrlearninginstitute.ca

Alberta Family Mediation Society (AFMS) website: afms.ca

Legal Education Society of Alberta (LESA) website: www.lesaonline.org

Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.

Updated Mar 22, 2023. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.

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