Program Assistant, Conflict Resolution Center

Come Join the City of Bellevue!

New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity and market.

Job Summary

Securing Bellevue’s future as a livable, inspiring, vibrant and equitable community.

Bellevue is a fast-growing, highly diverse community, an economic hub across the lake from Seattle. The City welcomes the world and diversity is our strength. Over 100 languages are spoken here, and many international corporations are headquartered here.

The mission of the Bellevue Conflict Resolution Center (BCRC) is to build up the problem-solving capacity of Bellevue’s community. Bellevue’s Conflict Resolution Center is a Dispute Resolution Center formed under Chapter 7.75 of the Revised Code of Washington to provide equal access to justice for all people in Washington. BCRC receives funding and professional guidance from Resolution WA, a state-wide consortium of 21 dispute resolution centers. Services provided are confidential, voluntary, and free, available to people who live, work, or attend school in Bellevue or the City of Kirkland.

BCRC collaborates with other departments in the City, particularly Code Compliance, police, utilities, transportation and land use. The center practices conflict resolution skills, including conflict coaching, phone conciliation, facilitation and mediation. BCRC trains community volunteers in these skills, certifying them as conciliators and mediators. These volunteers act as a community resource to help people resolve their own conflicts related to neighbor disputes, landlords and tenants, businesses and customers, people working across cultural divides, and more. BCRC also teaches communication skills to community members and city employees.

Ideal candidates will demonstrate aptitude in conflict resolution, conciliation and mediation practices, have experience working directly with multicultural and multilingual communities, and exhibit proficiency in a wide array of administrative, office management, and organizational tasks. The program assistant will be responsible for handling cases, data input, office assistance and mentoring volunteers. Additional duties include assisting other Conflict Resolution Center staff with day-to-day operations. Directly supervised by the Program Manager.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Input and assign new cases, including intake as appropriate.
• Provide case conciliation as needed.
• Prepare Mediation Files for upcoming mediations.
• Update database after mediations, presentations, trainings, etc. are held.
• Assist with outreach and marketing of program services, including website updates and social media posts.
• Assist with data collection, management, and reporting.
• Respond to requests for volunteer and program information.
• Provide mentoring support to new volunteers as needed with clarity and patience.
• Assist with planning, logistics and execution of both live and virtual trainings and workshops. Some training experience preferred.

• Respond tactfully and promptly to citizen requests while practicing diplomacy.

• Attend department and program meetings as required.
• Assist with drafting reports, expense reconciliation, and other correspondence as needed.
• Report to and consult with other program staff on a daily basis. Be a collaborative member of the Conflict Resolution Center team.
• Other Duties as Assigned

Qualifications

• Proficient in computer skills including Excel, Word, Outlook, Teams, data entry.
• Excellent communication, writing, and listening skills
• Ability to work independently and as a team member
• Experience working with a diverse community and understanding of dynamic cross-cultural communication.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential case information.
• Ability to multitask.
• Exercise good discernment, reliability and follow-through.

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum four years of progressively responsible related work experience, including at least 2 years of administrative office work.
• Conciliation/mediation certification and minimum two years of experience required.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Instills Trust: Gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity.
• Communicates Effectively: Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
• Values Differences: Recognizing the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization.
• Action Oriented: Taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.
• Nimble Learning: Actively listening through experimentation when tackling new problems, using both successes and failures as learning fodder.
• Manages Complexity: Making sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems.
• Plans and Aligns: Planning and prioritizing work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals.
• Understands Cultural Competence – produce equitable policies and practices by developing skills and knowledge that facilitate effective interactions across diverse cultures.
• Collaborates – building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
• Manages Conflict – handling conflict situations effectively with a minimum of noise.
• Courage – Stepping up to address difficult issues, saying what needs to be said.
• Strategic Mindset – seeing ahead to future possibilities and translating them into breakthrough strategies.

Supplemental Information

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands and work environment here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to lift 20 lbs. and set up rooms for meetings and trainings.
• Travel to/from meetings and various locations.
• Attend evening and weekend meetings and events as required.

FLEXIBLE/HYBRID WORKING

A hybrid work schedule is available for this position after an orientation period. Remote work for this position is subject to the department's operational needs and will be discussed with candidates during the selection process. Full-time remote work is not an available option. Once hired, employees must reside in the State of Washington and within reasonable commuting distance to Bellevue City Hall.

HIRING PROCESS
The City evaluates candidates based on the information provided in the online application only. Do not submit resumes and cover letters. To evaluate all candidates fairly and equitably, the City will make all applicants anonymous when we are screening the applications. We will redact information from our application such as your name, address, and other demographics. To help us, please complete the online application form as fully as possible.

• Answer the Supplemental Questions when requested which can be found on the Questions tab of the Job posting.
• We do not accept resumes and cover letters during the anonymous application screening stage, unless otherwise stated in the job description.
• Applicants advancing to the next stage may be required to provide a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and references.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• All candidates will be required to establish employment authorization and identity at the time of hire. The City is not able to sponsor work visas.
• All positions require the completion of references checks, including at least one prior supervisor.
• Some positions may require completion of a criminal background check prior to start employment
• Some positions may require obtaining a commercial driver's license (CDL), licensures, or additional certifications.

At the City of Bellevue, you'll be part of a team committed to providing exceptional customer service, upholding the public interest and advancing the community vision. The six essential and enduring principles that guide our individual actions, our interactions, and our decision making in the City of Bellevue organization is: Exceptional Public Service, Stewardship, Commitment to Employees, Integrity, Innovation, and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. You'll work in an environment that is innovative, collaborative, future focused, and committed to excellence. Bellevue welcomes the world. Our diversity is our strength. We embrace the future while respecting our past. It's what makes the City of Bellevue an exciting place to work, live, and explore.

Have we piqued your interest yet? Come join our team! The City of Bellevue supports workplace diversity. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, genetic information, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected status. Persons needing assistance with the application process may call the Human Resources Office, at 425-452-6838 or recruiting@bellevuewa.gov. If you are invited to participate in the selection process and need ADA accommodations, please notify HR before you are scheduled for an interview or testing.

The City of Bellevue participates in the E-Verify program. Learn more about the E-Verify program.

For any technical difficulties with your application, please contact the NEOGOV support line at 855-524-5627.

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