Upon submission of a unilateral request for mediation, the executive director shall consider the position of the other party and evaluate whether the parties have exchanged and considered one another's proposals and whether the intervention of the agency will have a beneficial impact on the negotiating process. Before making this determination, the executive director or a member of the agency staff may make an on-site investigation and may engage in conciliation under the general authority conferred on the agency by RCW 41.58.020(1). If it appears that the assistance of the agency is needed, the executive director shall appoint a mediator.