Mediator
Mediators are neutral third parties who assist people involved in disputes in finding mutually acceptable resolutions to their conflicts.
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Avg. Salary $86,267.00
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Avg. Wage $43.12
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Minimum Education Varies
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Outlook Down
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Employed 12,300
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In Demand Lower
Also Known As
Conciliator, Conflict Resolution Specialist, Dispute Resolution Specialist, Facilitator
Skills Shortage
Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
41%
41%
Average Wage
Starting
Overall
Top
Average Wage
| Starting | $35.88 |
|---|---|
| Overall | $43.12 |
| Top | $51.82 |
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Certification Not Regulated
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Strength Required Lift up to 5 kg
NOC & Interest Codes
The Mediator is part of the following larger National Occupational Classification (NOC).
Specialists in Human Resources
NOC code: 1121
- 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 Dec 14, 2016
Mediators use conflict resolution techniques to help disputants (people involved in disputes) to reach mutually satisfactory agreements. Mediators do not decide issues.
In general, mediators:
- facilitate communication between disputants
- help disputants clarify the issues, identify underlying concerns and develop a better understanding of their respective needs and interests
- help disputants find creative solutions that are acceptable to all parties concerned.
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 has been 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
- business partners
- businesses and their customers (for example, insurance companies and injured parties)
- businesses and their suppliers.
Using mediation to resolve disputes usually is faster and less expensive than going to court. It also allows disputants to:
- keep their arguments private and confidential
- retain control over the outcome of the dispute
- explore a wide range of possible solutions to their differences
- preserve or even improve ongoing business and personal relationships.
In certain types of disputes parties are required to participate in mediation, while in others it is voluntary. In either case, it is best used when:
- there is some ongoing personal or legal relationship between the disputants
- both parties are willing to express personal wants and needs, and are committed to addressing these issues
- there is a commitment to settle using the mediation process
- there is a need to settle the dispute quickly and efficiently.
Working Conditions
Updated Dec 14, 2016
Mediators work in a variety of physical environments. They may conduct meetings anywhere and at any time that is acceptable to all parties concerned.
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Strength Required Lift up to 5 kg
Skills & Abilities
Updated Dec 14, 2016
Mediators need the following characteristics:
- patience
- a neutral, unbiased attitude and a keen sense of fair play
- the ability to develop rapport with all kinds of people
- good communication skills, including active listening skills and the ability to question effectively and tactfully
- the intellectual ability required to deal with complex factual material, analyze problems and identify and separate the issues involved
- the creativity required to help disputants identify mutually acceptable solutions.
They should enjoy synthesizing information to develop innovative approaches to problems, co-ordinating information, and dealing with people.
Educational Requirements
Updated Dec 14, 2016
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 conflict management programs:
- The Alberta Arbitration and Mediation Society (AAMS)offers the following Certificate Programs: Leadership in Conflict Management, Arbitration, Conflict Management for Human Resource Professionals, and Consensus Decision Making. It offers partnership programs in Workplace Mediator Certification (PULSE Institute), Certification in The Art and Science of Conflict Coaching (Erickson College International) and Manager-as-Mediator and Self-as-Mediator Seminar Series (MTI International). Most courses are offered as blended learning programs (a blend of online and in-class learning). There is no minimum education requirement to enrol in an AAMS program or course.
- The Justice Institute of British Columbia 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 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.
The ADR Institute of Canada Inc. offers the designation Chartered Mediator (C.Med.) to members who have related training and experience. The AAMS is the Alberta affiliate of the Institute.
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 Dec 14, 2016
Below-average occupational growth is expected in Alberta for 2016 to 2020. Job openings are a result of employment turnover and newly created positions.
Mediators often work in other occupations and contract their services as mediators when they are needed.
When disputants agree to participate in mediation, they must find a mutually acceptable mediator, preferably someone who has training or experience in conflict management. They may obtain lists of trained mediators from organizations such as the Alberta Arbitration and Mediation Society, Alberta Family Mediation Society, or ADR Institute of Canada.
Wage & Salary
Updated Dec 14, 2016
Wages and salary structure for mediators may vary. Some may be paid per hour, per day, per mediation or on a fee-for-service contract basis. Those employed on an hourly basis earned between $150 and $250 an hour (2016 estimate).
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 | $18.80 | $64.04 | $35.88 | $33.06 |
| Overall | $25.00 | $69.71 | $43.12 | $41.60 |
| Top | $27.83 | $80.81 | $51.82 | $49.15 |
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
| Transportation and Warehousing | $108,842.00 |
|---|---|
| Oil & Gas Extraction | $101,275.00 |
| Other Services (Repair, Personal Services and Related) | $94,518.00 |
| ALBERTA, ALL INDUSTRIES | $86,267.00 |
| Public Administration | $83,352.00 |
| Construction | $81,622.00 |
| Educational Services | $78,618.00 |
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $77,044.00 |
| Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, Leasing | $73,698.00 |
| Professional, Scientific & Technical Services | $73,197.00 |
| Manufacturing | $72,924.00 |
| Wholesale Trade | $69,898.00 |
| Business, Building and Other Support Services (aka Management, Administrative, and other Services) | $66,181.00 |
| Accommodation & Food Services | $60,932.00 |
| Retail Trade | $60,222.00 |
| Information, Culture, Recreation | $51,369.00 |
Skills Shortage
Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
41%
41%
Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties
6%
6%
Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over 4 Months
2%
2%
2015 Vacancy Rate
N/A
Related High School Subjects
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English Language Arts
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Business, Administration, Finance and IT
- Financial Management
- Information Processing
- Management and Marketing
Related Post-Secondary Field of Study
- Social Sciences, Law and Religious Studies
- Social, Community and Protective Services
Other Sources of Information
Updated Dec 14, 2016
ADR Institute of Canada website: www.adric.ca
Alberta Arbitration and Mediation Society (AAMS) website: www.aams.ab.ca
Alberta Family Mediation Society (AFMS) website: www.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, visit the Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS) website, call the Alberta Career Information Hotline toll-free at 1-800-661-3753 or 780-422-4266 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Works Centre near you.
Updated Mar 16, 2016. 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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