Oakland Bay Bridge

Volunteer Opportunities

Would you like to help increase peace in your community?  We’d love to hear from you!

Click here to apply for a volunteer position.

Volunteering: A Core Value

SEEDS is committed to integrating the skills, energy, and talents of community volunteers at all levels of our organization and program.  We are dedicated to fostering a learning community where people can develop, nurture, and share the skills and concepts needed to promote effective dialogue and resolution throughout our society.

SEEDS seeks volunteers who are actively committed not only to enhancing their own skills and experiences as mediators, but also to giving back to their community and helping SEEDS to sustain and grow its programs and services here in Alameda County.

Please review the job descriptions, requirements, and expectations of the different volunteer and unpaid positions we have available at SEEDS Community Resolution Center. If you are interested in one or more of these volunteer opportunities, please contact us.

Mediator
Community Mediation Case Developer
Community Ambassador
Community Outreach Coordinator
Seeds of Resolution Campaign Project Leader
Office Admin & Logistic Support
Research Internships

Direct Services


Mediator

Please be advised that SEEDS currently has very limited needs and slots available for new volunteer mediators in its community and court mediation programs.  Volunteer applications will be reviewed by staff quarterly, and only a select number of candidates can be invited to join our mediation panels. 

Priority consideration will be given to those who have fluent Spanish, Chinese, Hindi, Farsi, ASL or other needed language skills.  SEEDS is also actively recruiting for volunteers with strong connections (live, work, school) with communities we serve in South Alameda County (San Leandro, Castro Valley, Hayward, Fremont, etc.).

Please also note the priority placement on our mediation panels will also be given to volunteers who can commit time, skills and energy to SEEDS’ other critical needs, such as community outreach, fundraising, and research.

All volunteers serving on SEEDS’ mediation panels are expected to participate in at least 15 hours total per year in SEEDS activities in addition to any mediation panels they serve on. This could include continuing education workshops, practice sessions, outreach and social events, or committee support work.

Volunteer Mediator Job Description:  Volunteer mediators are on call to participate in scheduled mediation sessions where they help facilitate communication and understanding between disputants toward a positive resolution of their conflict. These mediation sessions run 3-4 hours in length and can take place evenings, weekends, and during business hours.

All SEEDS volunteer mediators have been extensively trained in communication and conflict resolution skills. Each mediation session is facilitated by a team of 2-3 mediators working to help people in a dispute resolve their conflicts.

Requirements:  Volunteer Mediators are required to complete a minimum of 40 hours of basic Mediation Skills Training using the Community-Based Mediation Model or an acceptable substitute, as well as participating in ongoing advanced workshops, discussion sessions, and role-plays periodically offered by SEEDS.

Time Commitment:  This position requires a minimum one-year commitment, 4-5 hours per month for a mediation, plus availability and willingness to volunteer for outreach and other projects as needed for at least 15 hours per year.

Community Mediation Case Developer

This unsalaried position in the SEEDS office provides the opportunity to develop skills and to explore or make a transition to a career in conflict resolution.  SEEDS cooperates with students seeking internship credit and financial aid.

Time Commitment:  This position requires a minimum six-month commitment (three months if it is a formal internship for credit), 4-8 hours one day per week.
Job Description:

Community Ambassador

The goal of the SEEDS Community Ambassador Program is to educate people and increase general awareness in the community around mediation and other means by which people can resolve their disputes positively and peacefully.

Job Description:   SEEDS Community Ambassadors go out to neighborhood and youth groups, churches, schools, professional and business associations, nonprofit agencies, and many other places and put on educational programs, including lively presentations, mini-workshops, and skits,  to provide tips on how people can communicate and resolve their own conflicts and how to access SEEDS’ free or low-cost services when needed.

SEEDS Community Ambassadors can work individually or in teams. They can either choose to adopt a particular neighborhood, school, or group to serve as a primary liaison for SEEDS programs, or serve as an Ambassador at-Large, responding to requests that come in throughout Alameda County and the East Bay.

SEEDS’ educational programs vary in length from 15 minutes to 90 minutes, depending on audience and available time. They can be scheduled during the daytime, evening, and weekends.

Volunteers in SEEDS’ Community Ambassador Program will be given a solid orientation on how to put together educational programs, and will initially be paired with more experienced volunteers on educational programs.

Time commitment:   Minimum 1 year commitment, 2 hours per month or more.

Qualifications:

Contact with questions, or to get more information about volunteering for the Community Ambassador Program.

Critical Support Programs & Volunteer Roles


Community Outreach Coordinator

We are currently seeking an outgoing individual to support our organization’s efforts to develop and implement a new Community Outreach and Marketing Campaign. Become part of a great family of conflict resolvers and help us sow peace of mind among individuals, families, organizations, and communities.

Responsibilities:

Seeds of Resolution Campaign Project Leader

Office Admin & Logistic Support

Research Internships

We invite you to apply for the above positions.