Please attach: 

- A current resume

- Mediation Certificate (required for mediation volunteers)

- Restorative Justice Certificate (optional for RJ volunteers. Restorative justice trainings are offered through CMS) 

Community Mediation Service (CMS) relies on volunteer mediators and facilitators to conduct mediations and restorative justice services for the Boulder community. CMS offers mediation to address conflicts between Boulder landlords and tenants, neighbors, BVSD students, senior citizens and more. Mediation volunteers may provide location-based mediation on an ongoing basis in Boulder County eviction court. Restorative Justice volunteers facilitate cases referred by the Offices of the District Attorney, City Attorney, and school staff, involving theft, illegal substance abuse, assault, hate speech, noise violations and more.

Volunteers facilitate the process from intake through the actual mediation or restorative justice conference and work closely with staff to fulfill best practices and court requirements. CMS hosts a volunteer meeting the first Thursday of every month from 5:30-7pm offering a variety of presenters and topics. Volunteers are encouraged to attend to debrief cases, absorb new ideas, sharpen skills and have rich discussions with a wonderful and supportive group of people.

Our Commitment to You
The City of Boulder is committed to hiring staff who provide excellent customer service. Our employees communicate courteously and responsively with the public and other staff, are sensitive to diversity issues, provide effective and efficient service to the public and fellow staff and act with a high level of integrity, taking responsibility for their work and actions.

Requirements
Although we don’t require a minimum commitment, it is important to volunteer with enough frequency to keep skills sharp. Cases take about 5 hours on average and our recommendation is that volunteers work at least 3 cases per year and attend our regular monthly volunteer meetings as often as possible.

Qualifications
Mediation Volunteers- certificate of 40 hour basic mediation training
Restorative Justice Volunteers – Minimum 16 hour Restorative Justice facilitator training (CMS offers this training annually)

Benefits of Volunteering
In addition to gaining valuable experience you will be able to network with other local mediators and experience the fulfillment of helping people resolve often-debilitating conflicts and potentially crippling criminal offenses in a positive and productive way. CMS staff supports and coaches volunteers to improve their abilities. We track the number of cases you do and the hours you put in. These count toward your minimum experience to qualify for the MAC membership.

I, the undersigned, agree for myself or for my minor child/ward, to volunteer for the City of Boulder, and understand and agree to the following:

1. I will follow instructions of my placement and perform my service to the best of my ability.
2. I acknowledge that there are dangers and risks incurred as a result of participating in activities connected or associated with volunteering; and I knowingly assume all risk for any injuries, death, damage or loss to my person, including but not limited to: falling down, tripping, bumping; back, bone, joint, head, neck, muscle or spinal injuries or strains; cuts, scrapes; choking; allergies; heat stroke, heat exhaustion, sunburn or other injuries; and/or any damage or loss sustained to my personal property.
3. In the event of any emergency, I authorize City of Boulder officials to secure from any licensed hospital, physician and/or medical personnel any treatment deemed necessary for my immediate care, including ambulance transport. Further, I agree that I will be responsible for payment of any and all medical services rendered.
4. I agree to pay for any intentional damage sustained to City property as a result of my participation in activities. Payment shall be made directly to the City of Boulder within thirty days of receipt of damage invoice.
5. I waive and relinquish all claims I may have as a result of my participation as a volunteer against the City of Boulder and its officers, agents, servants and employees. Further I agree to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the city of Boulder against any claims already made and claims that may be made in the future.
6. I act only as an authorized volunteer and do not function as an employee, agent or representative of the City of Boulder.
7. I give permission for media coverage of myself and/or my minor child/ward to be disseminated for public relations purposes without personal compensation.
8. This Acknowledgement of Risk and Release is valid for a period of 1 year from the date executed below.
9. I understand that volunteers can be let go at any time.

VOLUNTEER RIGHTS

While serving as an Authorized Volunteer for the benefit of, and involved in the activities at the request of, the City of Boulder, volunteers are provided the protection of the Colorado Governmental Immunity Act, Colorado Revised Statutes Section 24-10-101 (et. Seq.); 24-10-103(4)(a) and are subject to the applicable provisions of the Act. The Act does not cover any willful and/or wanton behavior including, but not limited to, sexual harassment, racial or gender discrimination, drug and/or alcohol use.

I acknowledge and understand the terms of the City of Boulder’s Risk and Release Form. This acknowledgment of risk and release shall not be modified orally. All minor’s signature must be accompanied by the signature of the parent or guardian.