Mediator
Mediators are neutral third parties who help people involved in disputes find mutually acceptable resolutions to their conflicts.
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Avg. Salary $76,768.00
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Avg. Wage $39.69
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Minimum Education Varies
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Outlook below avg
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Employed 12,000
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In Demand Lower
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: Specialists in Human Resources (1121)
- 2006 NOC-S: Specialists in Human Resources (B021)
- 2011 NOC: Human resources professionals (1121)
- 2016 NOC: Human resources professionals (1121)
Skills Shortage
Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
35%
35%
Average Wage
Starting
Overall
Top
Average Wage
| Starting | $32.84 |
|---|---|
| Overall | $39.69 |
| Top | $48.80 |
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Certification Not Regulated
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Strength Required Lift up to 5 kg
Interest Codes
The Mediator is part of the following larger National Occupational Classification (NOC).
Specialists in Human Resources
- INNOVATIVE
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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
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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
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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
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 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.
Duties
Updated Mar 31, 2019
Mediators use conflict resolution techniques to help disputants (people involved in disputes or negotiations) reach mutually satisfactory agreements. Mediators do not decide issues.
In general, mediators help disputants clarify the issues. They:
- Facilitate communication between disputants
- Identify underlying concerns and develop a better understanding of disputants’ needs and interests
- Deal with complex factual material and identify and separate the issues involved
- Help disputants find creative solutions that are acceptable to all parties
If the disputants are not able to reach an agreement through mediation, they may choose other dispute resolution processes such as arbitration or litigation. For more information, see the Arbitrator and Lawyer occupational profiles.
Mediation is used to settle many types of conflicts, including disputes between:
- Neighbours
- Spouses
- Labour and management
- Environmental groups and industrial organizations
- Landlords and tenants
- Co-workers
- Parents and teachers
- Parents and teens
- Families and estates
- Business partners
- Businesses and their customers (for example, insurance companies and injured parties)
- Businesses and their suppliers
Working Conditions
Updated Mar 31, 2019
Mediators work in a variety of environments. They may conduct meetings anywhere and at any time that is acceptable to all parties.
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Strength Required Lift up to 5 kg
Skills & Abilities
Updated Mar 31, 2019
Mediators need:
- Patience, calmness and neutrality
- Rapport with all kinds of people
- Creativity
- Communication skills, including active listening skills and the ability to question effectively and tactfully
- Analytical thinking
- A sense of fair play
They should enjoy:
- Synthesizing information to develop innovative approaches to problems
- Co-ordinating information
- Dealing with people
Educational Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2019
Although many mediators have a professional background, there are no specified minimum education requirements. Experience or training in conflict management is strongly recommended.
In Alberta, the following organizations offer mediation training or conflict management programs:
- The ADR Institute of Alberta (ADRIA) offers a range of training programs for leaders and human resource professionals. Topics include consensus decision-making, arbitration and conflict management. ADRIA membership is required to enrol.
- The Alberta Family Mediation Society (AFMS) provides mediation training in areas such as elder mediation, parenting co-ordination, and divorce.
- The Justice Institute of British Columbia in collaboration with the University of Calgary offers mediation, negotiation and conflict resolution courses and programs online.
The Legal Education Society of Alberta (LESA) offers mediation, negotiation, and conflict resolution courses and seminars in Red Deer, Edmonton, and Calgary.
Related Education
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
Northern Alberta Institute of Technology
University of Lethbridge
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
Certification Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2019
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 31, 2019
Mediators often work in other occupations and contract their services as mediators when they are needed.
Organizations such as the Alberta Arbitration and Mediation Society, Alberta Family Mediation Society, and ADR Institute of Canada provide lists of trained mediators to disputants. Being on these lists can help mediators get clients.
In Alberta, the B021: Specialists in Human Resources occupational group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 1.4% from 2016 to 2020. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 172 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.
Wage & Salary
Updated Mar 31, 2019
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.
Hourly Wage
For full-time and part-time employees
- Low
- High
- Average
- Median
Starting
Overall
Top
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $19.80 | $54.26 | $32.84 | $30.33 |
| Overall | $22.50 | $71.69 | $39.69 | $37.27 |
| Top | $24.28 | $84.25 | $48.80 | $43.90 |
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.
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.
Industry Information
| Other Services (Repair, Personal Services and Related) | $114,827 |
|---|---|
| Oil & Gas Extraction | $105,975 |
| Public Administration | $80,096 |
| Professional, Scientific & Technical Services | $77,056 |
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $76,768 |
| Educational Services | $74,532 |
| Transportation and Warehousing | $74,325 |
| Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, Leasing | $70,130 |
| Construction | $69,761 |
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $66,702 |
| Manufacturing | $65,699 |
| Wholesale Trade | $64,846 |
| Retail Trade | $60,974 |
| Information, Culture, Recreation | $58,442 |
| Business, Building and Other Support Services | $53,474 |
| Accommodation & Food Services | $48,361 |
Skills Shortage
Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
35%
35%)
Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties
9%
9%
Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over 4 Months
3%
3%
Vacancy Rate
2%
Other Sources of Information
Updated Mar 31, 2019
ADR Institute of Canada (ADRIC) website: adric.ca
Alberta Arbitration and Mediation Society (AAMS) website: www.aams.ab.ca
Alberta Family Mediation Society (AFMS) website: afms.ca
Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC) website: www.jibc.ca
Legal Education Society of Alberta (LESA) website: www.lesaonline.org
For more information on career planning, education and jobs call the Alberta Supports Contact Centre toll-free at 1-877-644-9992 or 780-644-9992 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Supports Centre near you.
Updated Mar 31, 2019. 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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