Ombuds

Job Overview

The Ombuds serves as a designated neutral resource for families employees and community members advocating for fairness equity and consistency to assist in the resolution of education student and employee-related concerns problems complaints and issues. The position provides resources for information and referral; fosters positive working relationships among stakeholders; and facilitates conflict resolution and mediation.

Roles and Responsibilities

The following information is intended to describe the overall nature and scope of the work being performed. This is not a comprehensive listing of all responsibilities or tasks; work may differ and other work may be assigned when deemed appropriate.

• Acts as a neutral and confidential resource for families employees and the school community to communicate and inquire about education and employee-related concerns.
• Provides information and assistance regarding the Division rules regulations and procedures.
• Assists stakeholders in identifying office or official to which an issue should be addressed.
• Promotes positive working relationships among employees and between the division and the school community.
• Assists families in effectively advocating for their students.
• Researches and identifies best practices to proactively address and prevent conflict.
• Recommends and develops conflict avoidance and resolution strategies and fair and equitable processes.
• Seeks to ensure resolution of problems and concerns in a prompt and fair manner that is satisfactory to all parties involved through counseling mediation and conflict resolution services.
• Participates in development of policy to ensure fair and equitable delivery of Division services and advises on the strategic impact of policy implementation.
• Drafts final resolutions of complaints and responses to inquiries.
• Provides consultative services to division administration and staff.
• Oversees the design coordination and delivery of proactive professional learning for school and division staff in efforts related to informal conflict resolution.

Qualifications

Below are the minimum qualifications for this job. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are also acceptable.

Education

Bachelors Degree in education psychology sociology conflict resolution human resources public administration or related field

Experience

Six (6) years of ombuds or professional mediation conflict resolution experience

Licenses and Certifications

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of the procedures and practices of K-12 school administration
• Knowledge of the principles practices methods and trends of fact finding conflict resolution mediation and cultural competency
• Knowledge of school division and community resources demography and diversity
• Ability to establish and maintain collaborative working relationships and build trust with school personnel public entities families and citizens
• Ability to deal with controversy and handle sensitive or confidential information with tact and discretion
• Proficiency in the use of personal computer and related hardware and software
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Ability to understand interpret apply and explain complex rules regulations policies legislation and court decisions
• Ability to analyze processes and problems identify opportunities for improvement and implement changes
• Ability to communicate and interact effectively with individuals of diverse backgrounds
• Ability to represent the division in a variety of public settings

Physical Requirements

The following provides a brief description of physical requirements for this job:

While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly talking expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. The employee must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately loudly or quickly. The employee must possess normal cognitive abilities including the ability to learn recall and apply certain practices and policies. Frequently sitting and/or remaining in a stationary position for long periods of time. Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift carry push pull or otherwise move objects.

Reports to:Chief of Staff

FLSA Status:Exempt

Months/Days/Hours:12 months/ 248 days/ 8 hours

Salary Level: Universal25

Salary Scale: Range: $131790 - $207186

Remote Work Eligible:No

Collective Bargaining Unit: Non-Union