Brief Summary of this Position:
The Ombudsperson will provide impartial, independent, and confidential conflict resolution services to all faculty and staff. The successful candidate will mediate and facilitate dialogue, identify trends, and provide recommendations for systemic change. This full-time staff position operates in accordance with the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice of the International Ombud Association (IOA)
Minimum Qualifications Required:
Education required to ensure success in this position:
- A terminal degree in a field that demonstrates ability to work with diverse backgrounds, address conflict resolution, problem solving, and analytical ability required.
Experience required to ensure success in this position:
- 5-7 years of Ombuds experience, with a record of successful conflict resolution preferred.
- Minimum of 5 years of dispute resolution experience.
- Demonstrated experience facilitating communication between parties ("shuttle diplomacy").
Special skills, knowledge and abilities:
- Knowledge of higher education, including unique working environment of a small, liberal arts institution
- Knowledge and application of International Ombuds Association Ethical Code and Standards of Practice
- Decision-making and problem solving within higher education environment (or equivalent public or private sector including shared governance models) is preferred
- Experience working with people of diverse backgrounds, cultures, and status
- Strong skills in conflict resolution and alternative dispute resolution
- Ability to gain and maintain trust at all organizational levels
- Ability to engage in high level of consulting, problem-solving, and collaborative activities
- Excellent communication and written skills
- Excellent judgment and discretion
- Ability to create and deliver educational workshops tailored to unique constituent groups
License, certification, or registration necessary:
- International Ombudsman Association (IOA) certification (preferred)
Physical requirements:
- Ability to navigate campus/public buildings and grounds
Environmental conditions:
- Professional office environment with interruptions and noise due to frequent visitors, students, staff and faculty
Ability to operate the following vehicles or equipment:
- Standard office equipment: computer, phone, etc.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Regular and predictable attendance is essential. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Guide, advise, and collaborate with individual faculty and staff experiencing conflict.
- Counsel constituents in the navigation and utilization of existing conflict resolution resources.
- Bring systemic concerns to the attention of institutional leadership for resolution.
- Operate in a manner that preserves the confidentiality of those seeking services.
- Maintain a neutral and impartial position with respect to the concerns raised.
- Work at an informal level of the organizational system, independent of formal units such as HR, Title VII/IX, and General Counsel.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships across all levels of administration, including collaboration with formal units to provide referrals and support campus-wide initiatives.
- Engage and inform the campus community about the role and services of the Ombud.
- Provide an appropriate measure of transparency to the Ombuds function.
Other roles/duties will be assigned as necessary to assist the College in the attainment of the goals set forth and the enhancement of a positive, respectful learning environment for all staff, faculty and students.
