Mediation and Conduct Committee Liaison

General Job Description: The Mediation and Conduct Committee Liaison (MCCL) will serve as a formal and informal administrative mediation and conduct committee liaison in Berkeley Student Cooperative (BSC). Their principal role is to provide support, training, and counsel to the BSC Conduct Committee, unit-level managers, and relevant stakeholders. Their duties will entail providing advisory support, training, and coordination for the BSC Conduct Committee to evaluate, investigate, and adjudicate complaints and allegations of violations of the BSC Conduct Code and portions of the BSC Member Contract. They will work closely and in conjunction with the Member Resource Coordinator, Cooperative Experience Manager, BSC Board of Directors, and unit-level managers in developing educational materials related to conflict mediation and common conduct issues. They will also provide official training and direct liaison support to unit-level managers in promoting the BSC conduct code, conflict mediation, and restorative justice practices across the BSC.

Training and Development Responsibilities:

1. Train and educate the Conduct Committee Chairs and the Conduct Member Advisors on the BSC conduct code and portions of the BSC member contract

2. Provide ongoing support and educational training to Conduct Committee Chairs and Conduct Members Advisors, and unit-level managers and members

3. Receive and review all member conduct complaints and allegations in accordance with the BSC conduct code and portions of the BSC member contract to determine if a potential conduct violation has occurred. Based on this determination, route complaints to the appropriate conduct process and hearing body consistent with BSC conduct policies

4. When deemed appropriate, work with the Member Resources Coordinator to offer conditional contracts that address conduct concerns as well as provide members with the appropriate resources and support that will allow them to remain within the BSC community

5. Serve as a non-voting member of the hearing body for all high-level conduct complaints, providing additional support to the voting members, which will include the Conduct Chair, Conduct Member Advisor, and one serving committee member

6. Serve as the primary advisor to the BSC Conduct Committee and unit-level councils during unit-level and central-level conduct, PNG, and membership termination hearings

7. Under the direction of the Cooperative Experience Manager, develop and maintain a member conduct database, including conduct reports, tracking of outcomes and sanctions, reports, and metrics as cases are submitted

8. Under the direction of the Cooperative Experience Manager, manage relevant information related to BSC terminations and unit-level PNGs and regularly share this information with BSC board directors and appropriate unit-level managers

9. In collaboration with the Cooperative Experience Manager, report trends in member conduct to BSC Board directors, BSC President, and the Executive Director

10. Develop and implement an internal and user-friendly restorative justice directory and infrastructure with resources and educational material to help unit-level managers and members navigate unit-level conflict

Conflict Resolution and Harm Reduction Responsibilities:

1. In conjunction with the Member Resources Coordinator and Restorative Justice Practitioners, provide conflict mediation and restorative justice opportunities for members at the unit-level when appropriate

2. In collaboration with the Cooperative Experience Manager and the Member Resources Coordinator, seek to resolve incidents with members through individual mediation meetings outside of the formal processes whenever possible

3. Serve as the primary coordinator and support person for interpersonal conflicts to help facilitate and guide members toward mutual understanding and agreement when appropriate

4. Identify and help implement a mutually agreed upon buffer to help facilitate and navigate discussion when necessary

5. Help members create a plan of action based on their mutual understanding and agreement and relevant personal needs whenever possible

6. Provide ongoing support, resources, and guidance to unit-level managers and members through an internal and user-friendly restorative justice directory when requested

7. Help coordinate and implement conflict resolution and harm reduction education and awareness training at the unit and central level for member leaders and staff liasions when appropriate and necessary

8. When requested by house members involved, assess and understand a situation by talking with all involved, understanding intentions and impacts, and helping the members assess and facilitate an optimal path forward – prioritizing community accountability, transformative justice, and personal growth whenever possible

9. Ensure that members and communities harmed are directed to the internal and external resources and processes they need to heal, recover, and continue to be in community with their housemates

10. Collaborate with and support staff, Board, and other levels of the organization when they need help responding to conflict, harm, or related issues

11. Oversee and assess educational training and programs related to conflict resolution and conduct, grievance procedures and other relevant regulatory standards

12. Work with the Member Resources Department to operationalize community safety without police intervention when appropriate and necessary

Management and Evaluation:

1. Facilitate staff, board, and unit-level manager trainings and workshops relating to conflict mediation and restorative justice on a regular basis

2. Assist and support the process for systematic review and evaluation of Conflict Resolution and member conduct, including the monitoring and assessment of conduct outcomes and plans of action for improvement of member experience

3. Build resource database to assist staff, managers, and members in understanding and clarifying disputes and in identifying appropriate paths toward strengthening conflict mediation and communal healing

4. Maintains awareness of best practices of conflict prevention, common trends and board policies pertaining to conflict resolution and conduct system

5. Assists with unit-level manager and conduct committee chairs and advisors onboarding and training, and develop strategies to support member leaders on conflict mediation

6. Develop and provide educational resources to assist members who are alleged to have violated the BSC conduct code

7. Provide conduct related advice to BSC Board of Directors regarding conduct reform efforts, reporting trends and results as well as the effectiveness of current practices and policies

8. Assist with the implementation of any conduct workshops, reforms, and processes to improve conduct systems and reporting of conduct violations

9. Support and assist the coordination of annual insurance audits relating to conduct risk assessment and management

Skills/Knowledge required for job performance:

1. Knowledge of student conduct administration theory and best practice.

2. Knowledge of student support and intervention theory and best practice.

3. Knowledge of applicable laws, regulations, and policies regarding sensitive conduct matters (Title IX, Clery Act, FERPA, HIPAA, landlord-tenant law, etc.).

4. Demonstrated cultural competence and proven effectiveness in serving the needs of a diverse student population.

5. Ability to develop familiarity with, have respect for and apply consistently, a complex set of organizational policies dealing with the areas of responsibility for this position.

6. Ability to counsel, advise and refer individuals and groups of students.

7. Ability to understand complex problems and collaborate to explore alternative solutions.

8. Ability to have a high degree of professional and personal integrity, tact, commitment to ethical values, and respect for privacy and confidentiality.

9. Excellent organizational and time management skills.

10. Excellent interpersonal, verbal/ written communication skills.

11. Ability to work in a fast-paced office environment and in stress or crisis.

12. Intermediate skill in managing the effective use by others of computer applications to achieve business results (Microsoft Office, business database programs, online business applications, email, etc.)

13. Ability to commit to equity and social justice.

14. Desire and ability to work with students in a student-controlled cooperative environment.

Entry Level Experience/Education Required:

1. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university is required.

2. A minimum of two years of experience in conducting investigations, either for an education environment or workplace is required.

3. A minimum of two years experience in conflict resolution is required, preferably in the University setting.

4. Master’s degree from an accredited institution in Higher Education, Student Affairs, College Student Personnel, Counseling, Social Work, or a related field is preferred.

5. Two years of experience in student conduct or student affairs, working with conduct boards or related work experience is preferred.

6. Experience with Google Suite and/or RMS Mercury Software is preferred.

7. Previous supervisory experience, with students in particular, is preferred.

Physical Requirements:

1. Ability to operate a computer keyboard, printer, copier, and telephone and engage in repetitive motions.

2. Ability to occasionally attend evening meetings and sit through extended meetings.

Term of job: Indefinite

Hours per week: 40

Basic pay wage: Hourly, Level 10-14 ($52,629 - $63,971)

Hired by: Staff Hiring Committee

Immediate Supervisor: Cooperative Experience Manager

Contract: BSCEA

[Board approved 10/18/18.]

[Updated 5/10/22]