Associate Ombuds

Associate Ombuds

Apply By Date: Friday, March 28 by 11:59p; Screening and selection can occur at any time

Job Summary

Under general direction, this position provides impartial, informal, independent and confidential conflict resolution services to the UCD communities on the UC Davis campus, UC Davis Health campus in Sacramento, as well as to UC Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR), consistent with the International Ombuds Association Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics. The Associate Ombuds serves as a technical leader and meets with a diverse range of individuals and groups at all levels of the university to assist in constructively managing complex and often sensitive conflicts with the highest level of confidentiality and impartiality. This position serves as a key institutional resource to other UC Davis, UC Davis Health and UC ANR offices for resolving conflicts and complaints. The Associate Ombuds designs and leads implementation of conflict management processes to resolve highly complex issues drawing upon advanced conflict resolution models and campus objectives; independently manages cases with a high degree of complexity, difficulty, and political sensitivity; independently provides individual and group needs assessment and coaching utilizing a wide range of conflict management techniques, makes referrals to appropriate internal and external resources, and provides informal mediation and facilitation of effective dialogue on sensitive issues, requiring the use of astute judgment to do in-depth evaluation of variable factors; designs and leads workshops and presentations on conflict and communication topics; identifies trends and systemic issues, makes recommendations and formulates strategies to address them, including institutional and system policy or procedural changes; works collaboratively with the Ombuds team and/or director on cases and projects with campus-wide impact and backs up other Ombuds as needed; gathers and analyzes office and visitor-related data and prepares reports; independently establishes priorities, goals, and objectives and works on cases of great complexity and political sensitivity, often without precedents and requiring innovative and creative approaches.

Key Responsibilities

80% - Conflict Managment Services

• Provide impartial, informal, independent and confidential conflict management and mediation services adhering to the International Ombuds Association’s Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics. Work with individuals and/or groups in conflict to clarify issues, identify a range of options, and open channels of communications and referrals to appropriate university resources. Provide comprehensive intake, conflict resolution coaching, shuttle diplomacy, and mediation when needed on cases including those with a high level of complexity.
• Works independently and/or collaboratively as appropriate to conduct conflict competence workshops and/or ombuds office outreach activities. Conducts needs assessment for departments and designs and conducts tailor-made department training on conflict resolution as well as campus-wide trainings and presentations on topics including ombuds services, communicating effectively during conflict, listening, giving and receiving feedback, bystander approaches, dealing with difficult behavior in the workplace including abusive conduct, mediation, managing conflict, and other topics. Provides assessment of training methodologies, delivery and effectiveness and gathers aggregate data on workshop effectiveness.

20% - Data, Reports, And Other Ombuds Office Initiatives and Projects

• Identifies systemic and trend issues and possible strategies for change and collaborates with the director and ombuds team on possible next steps. Prepares and analyzes data and trends and creates reports and presentations on data. Works with current office initiatives and proposes ways to evaluate and improve services. Work with the Ombuds Director and other Ombuds to develop, lead, and manage targeted goals and objectives, as they arise. Back up other Ombuds in the office.

The University of California, Davis is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status.