Through innovative negotiation and self-advocacy training, NEGOTIATION WORKS empowers people emerging from difficult and often traumatic situations—such as incarceration, homelessness, addiction, and domestic violence—to better navigate their everyday challenges and to live the next chapters of their lives confidently and productively. Our volunteer instructors teach multi-week negotiation courses tailored for historically marginalized individuals. The curriculum addresses foundational negotiation strategies and dispute resolution skills, including identifying personal priorities, considering various perspectives and solutions, and taking initiative to achieve one’s goals. We connect these negotiation strategies to everyday scenarios familiar to participants, such as child custody issues, apartment security deposit returns, and family probate disputes. Each class session includes activities and interactive role-play simulations to engage the participants and let them practice new skills immediately. We partner with the DC Jail and community-based providers who serve individuals currently incarcerated, returning to the community from prison, experiencing homelessness, living in domestic violence shelters, and dealing with other challenging life situations. We customize the curriculum for each group served, and most organizations engage with Negotiation Works for multiple courses throughout the year to support all of their clients as they cycle through their programs.
We are currently accepting applications for volunteer instructors for our 2026 courses. All classes are taught by two co-instructors, take place on site at service provider locations in the community, meet once a week for 1-1.5 hours for an entire 4 to 8 week session, and are usually held during weekday, daytime hours. As a negotiation instructor, you will have an opportunity to gain insight into the legal, economic, and societal barriers historically marginalized groups face, and you will help class participants navigate these barriers and build stronger, more stable lives.
Preferred qualifications of volunteer instructors include: (1) Prior teaching or training experience, involving adults or youth; (2) Familiarity with negotiation theory and practice; and (3) Interest in and experience working with historically marginalized communities. Fluency in Spanish is also a plus. Priority will be given to applicants who are available to teach on-site in the metropolitan DC area during workday hours. Some evening teaching slots and/or opportunities in Baltimore or Laurel might be available.
Instructor training includes: (1) A comprehensive training manual; (2) Observation of two or more actual Negotiation Works classes; (3) A twelve-hour training program, held over multiple weekends. Training program includes instruction on the use of our engaging and interactive curriculum, overview of negotiation theories, guidance on best teaching strategies, discussion of trauma-informed programs, opportunity to practice teaching a lesson, and more; and (4) Ongoing mentoring.
Note: Instructors who teach at the DC Jail will need to complete an additional certification process, including 40 hours of training provided by the DC Department of Corrections.
Applications for the 2026 cohort will be considered on a rolling basis, with a February 13, 2026 deadline. The tentative training schedule is for new volunteer instructors to observe actual Negotiation Works classes throughout the spring, followed by in-person training in early summer.
To apply, please complete this application: https://bit.ly/NW_NegotiationInstructor_Application_2025
