Helps others find relief from conflict, stress and anger
Join MARS Staff in our mission to provide affordable mediation and restorative services to underserved populations and empower individuals to resolve their own conflict.
THE ORGANIZATION
Mediation & Restorative Services (MARS) is a community-based, non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization. Since 1987, MARS has been helping families, neighborhoods, schools, landlords, tenants, businesses, consumers, manage and resolve conflict through education and conflict resolution services. Professionally trained and supervised volunteer mediators assist individuals and communities to successfully resolve problems and disputes on their own using alternative dispute resolution methods. MARS is proud of its high quality, volunteer mediator panels, its effective partnerships with area government and nonprofit organizations, and the high level of community and donor support received by the organization.
MISSION
The mission of MARS is to provide accessible, affordable mediation and restorative services to help people in Anoka County and neighboring communities resolve their own conflicts and repair harm.
$18 – $24 an hour
Full-time position
Role Summary
The focus of this role is to help individuals and families overcome barriers and maintain or obtain stable housing. You will be responsible for meeting with participants who are at elevated risk of eviction or homelessness, and to a lesser extent those already experiencing homelessness, to help them create a plan to achieve stable housing. This position reports to the Mediation and Restorative Services (MARS) Housing Program Manager.
You will communicate with participants via a combination of Zoom, in person, telephone, email, and text. In addition to providing direct funding through our agency, you will partner with peer agencies and programs to help tenants resolve immediate housing crises. You will also work closely with other MARS staff members.
Responsibilities/Duties:
- Research online court records for eviction case details as well as for outreach mailings to tenants facing eviction.
- Attend housing court via zoom multiple times per week (may move to in person in the future) and meet with tenants who request our assistance. Ascertain their needs, provide support during court, and schedule follow up meetings with them.
- Partner with participants to determine what resources are appropriate and available to them including financial, legal, mediation, and/or additional resources.
- Respond to referrals of new participants in a timely manner, including contacting them when scheduled and following through on your commitments to them.
- Obtain all documents needed to determine if eligibility criteria are met, document detailed case notes, obtain required signatures, complete forms, scan and store documents, and enter all data into one or more systems.
- Communicate with landlords and property managers to provide updates on potential assistance and to build partnerships for both resource navigation and mediation as an alternative to filing future evictions.
- Utilize and grow our existing network of providers in our service area and facilitate warm handoffs for tenants needing related services.
- Periodically follow up with participants after crisis is resolved to ensure stable housing solution continues.
- Actively participate in all staff, housing program, and agency planning meetings as well as represent MARS at outreach events in the community.
- Comply with all requirements of various housing programs and grants that provide funding for our housing program.
Qualifications/Requirements
- Strong written and verbal communication skills with a commitment to serving others and building relationships.
- Perceptive and curious with ability maintain confidentiality and integrity.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and meet deadlines.
- Computer literacy (working knowledge of Microsoft office, maintaining schedule and managing email on Outlook, Word, and Excel, as well as Zoom, Webex, and Adobe).
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience preferred.
Job Type:
- Full-time
Pay:
- $18-24 per hour
Benefits:
- Health Insurance
- Paid Time Off
Schedule:
- Monday to Friday
Location:
- Hybrid in office 2 or more days per week (Blaine 55434)
Click HERE to Apply!
