Job Description

Description

The Attorney General is the chief legal officer of the State of Maryland. The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) has the general charge, supervision, and direction of the State’s legal business, acting as legal advisors and representatives of the major agencies, various boards, commissions, officials, and institutions of State Government. The OAG also protects the public by civil enforcement of antitrust, civil rights, consumer protection, and securities laws and regulations and by the prosecution of organized crime, Medicaid fraud, environmental crimes, insurance fraud, state tax evasion, and other statutorily assigned matters. As Maryland’s 47th Attorney General, Anthony G. Brown leads the Office with a critical focus on equity, justice, and fairness. 

 
The OAG is seeking volunteer mediators to work in the Mediation Unit within our Consumer Protection Division (CPD). The CPD enforces the Maryland Consumer Protection Act and related statutes, focusing on unfair, deceptive, and illegal business practices involving consumer goods and services, real estate, credit, and debt collection. Through investigations and legal action, the Division works to stop unlawful conduct, secure restitution for consumers, and deter future violations. The Division includes approximately 36 Assistant Attorneys General and more than 40 professional staff, including investigators, analysts, and support personnel.

As a volunteer mediator, your primary responsibility will be to help resolve consumer complaints filed with our office. You will be assigned your own caseload and will work collaboratively with a supervisor to review documentation, analyze issues, develop mediation strategies, and communicate with consumers, businesses, and other parties to reach a fair resolution. Mediations are conducted through phone calls and written correspondence.

The Division also operates a public hotline where individuals can discuss concerns, inquire about a business’s complaint history, or determine whether their issue can be mediated. Many of these calls result in written complaints that are then assigned to volunteers for follow‑up. Volunteers in the Baltimore office may spend part of each day responding to hotline inquiries and assisting the public.

How You Can Benefit: As a volunteer mediator, you will develop a greater understanding of the rights and responsibilities of consumers and businesses and learn about state, federal and local consumer laws on subjects such as advertising, deceptive trade practices, auto repairs and sales, contracts, housing, telemarketing and warranties. You will also learn how to explain these laws and give practical advice and consumer tips to help Marylanders resolve their current problems and avoid future complaints. We will train you in using mediation as a method of resolving disputes and receive practical hands-on experience in using various mediation techniques to resolve consumer complaints. Our volunteers feel this is a very rewarding experience and they enjoy spending their time helping their fellow Marylanders. Requirements: We require a commitment of ten hours per week for a minimum commitment of six months. We ask volunteers to work two days a week. All work is done in our office between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday. We are willing to work with you to arrange times and days around your schedule. Being bilingual in English/Spanish or other languages is a plus. We consider applicants from all backgrounds. The only prerequisites are your interest in learning about consumer law and dispute resolution, and your willingness to help people. The successful volunteer will have good oral and writing skills, have basic computer skills, be able to work independently, demonstrate a genuine interest in helping people, be able to communicate effectively with the public, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems. Transportation & Parking: The Consumer Protection Division is located in a convenient downtown Baltimore location, near the Light Rail and Metro, museums, shops, restaurants and other attractions. Free parking is offered to volunteers. Commitment To Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, And Belonging:  The Office of the Attorney General views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving professional excellence and fostering and maintaining a culture where every employee can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the best pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values. We honor, respect, and celebrate all differences, both visible and invisible, and are committed to recruiting, retaining, and promoting individuals who have historically been underrepresented in the practice of law and professional careers. Equal Opportunity Employer: The OAG is an equal opportunity employer that encourages all interested persons to apply regardless of race, color, religion or belief, ancestry, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, disability, pregnancy, family or parental status, veteran status, genetic information, or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws.

Job Tags

Work at office, Local area, Monday to Thursday, 2 days per week

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