What are the responsibilities and job description for the Agricultural Mediation Director position at Western Carolina University?
This position is grant funded. Continuation is contingent upon grant renewal. The primary location of this position is on-site in Cullowhee, NC campus.
This position will be responsible for working collaboratively with federal programs to facilitate the mediation process with agencies, farm succession planning with clients, and arranging credit counseling opportunities.
Primary Responsibilities:
1. Uses discretion to assign mediation cases on an individual basis, considering the issues faced by the parties, the composition of the parties, the time frame, and the specific skills of the mediators;
2. Communicates with potential clients, clients and mediators;
3. Maintains records;
4. Assesses mediator performance and compliance with ethical standards (organizational, state, and agency standards); and prepares remedial training for deficient mediators;
5. Identifies new skills needed because of change in USDA programs or services offered,
and provides training on these issues at the annual meeting;
6. Consults with USDA agencies about changes in programs and services provided,
representing NCAMP and FARMVA to the USDA and its agencies;
7. Strategically plans and conducts outreach program and marketing strategies for
agricultural mediation services offered by NCAMP and FARMVA to increase the demand for mediation;
8. Consults with the Executive Director on budget needs, new goals and services
9. Prepares the Annual and Midyear Report for the USDA;
10. Oversees the Advisory Boards and recommends new advisory board members;
11. Represents NCAMP and FARMVA at outreach activities.
This position will be responsible for working collaboratively with federal programs to facilitate the mediation process with agencies, farm succession planning with clients, and arranging credit counseling opportunities.
Primary Responsibilities:
1. Uses discretion to assign mediation cases on an individual basis, considering the issues faced by the parties, the composition of the parties, the time frame, and the specific skills of the mediators;
2. Communicates with potential clients, clients and mediators;
3. Maintains records;
4. Assesses mediator performance and compliance with ethical standards (organizational, state, and agency standards); and prepares remedial training for deficient mediators;
5. Identifies new skills needed because of change in USDA programs or services offered,
and provides training on these issues at the annual meeting;
6. Consults with USDA agencies about changes in programs and services provided,
representing NCAMP and FARMVA to the USDA and its agencies;
7. Strategically plans and conducts outreach program and marketing strategies for
agricultural mediation services offered by NCAMP and FARMVA to increase the demand for mediation;
8. Consults with the Executive Director on budget needs, new goals and services
9. Prepares the Annual and Midyear Report for the USDA;
10. Oversees the Advisory Boards and recommends new advisory board members;
11. Represents NCAMP and FARMVA at outreach activities.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree required
- Experience Requirement: minimum seven-years’ experience mediating cases
Preferred Qualifications
- Advanced degree in field related to conflict resolution or law preferred.
Position Type
Permanent Part-Time
Number of Hours Per Week
23 hours per week (0.575 FTE)
Number of Months Per Year
12
Posting Text
Open Date
10/23/2026
Close Date
Open Until Filled
Yes
Special Instructions to Applicants
This position is grant funded. Continuation is contingent upon grant renewal.
Application materials must be submitted online. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until a candidate has been selected for hire.
Please include a cover letter, resume, and a list of professional references to complete the application process.
For questions or additional information, please contact Debra Burke at burke@email.wcu.edu or 828-227-3720.
Application materials must be submitted online. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until a candidate has been selected for hire.
Please include a cover letter, resume, and a list of professional references to complete the application process.
For questions or additional information, please contact Debra Burke at burke@email.wcu.edu or 828-227-3720.
Background/E-Verify
Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks.
Western Carolina University uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify. Proper documentation of identity and employability are required at the time of employment.
Western Carolina University uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify. Proper documentation of identity and employability are required at the time of employment.
Credential Verification
All new employees are required to have listed credentials/degrees verified within 30 days of employment. All new employees who will be teaching are required to provide official transcripts within 30 days of employment. Transcripts should be provided for the highest earned degree and/or the degree which is being used to satisfy credential/qualification requirements.
EOE
Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; ethnicity; religion; sex; pregnancy; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; political affiliation; National Guard or veteran status, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies, and the policies of The University of North Carolina. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call (828) 227-7218 or email at jobs@email.wcu.edu.
University Safety
The Western Carolina University Annual Safety Report is available online at University Annual Safety Report or in hard-copy by request at the office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, 227 HFR Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7147) or the Office of University Police, 111 Camp Annex, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7301). The report, required of all universities participating in Title IV student financial aid programs, discusses crime statistics, procedures for reporting suspicious or criminal activity, security, police authority, crime prevention strategies, university policies on substance abuse and sexual offenses, workplace violence and fire safety.
Benefits:
Retirement Plan, Vacation & Paid Time Off, Dental Insurance