Ombuds

This position is being posted in accordance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act. The University is currently considering a preferred internal candidate for this role. This notice is provided to inform eligible applicants of the opportunity to apply.

The University of Denvers Division of Community Support & Engagement (DCSE) is dedicated to cultivating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of the DU community. DCSE fosters meaningful community connections and empowers individuals through collaborative engagement and holistic support. Guided by DUs values of excellence innovation engagement integrity and inclusion DCSE strives to build a campus culture where everyone feels valued and cared for.

Position Summary

The University Ombuds serves as a confidential impartial and independent resource for members of the campus communitystudents faculty and staffproviding informal conflict resolution coaching assessment and systemic issue identification to promote collaboration and constructive resolution of concerns. The Ombuds helps individuals and groups navigate complex situations clarify issues identify options and improve communication while tracking patterns that may highlight institutional concerns. Services are provided in accordance with the Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics of the International Ombuds Association and are voluntary informal neutral and off-the-record.

This position has a joint reporting structure to attend to the Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics anchored by the International Ombuds Association (IOA). The Ombuds to maintain Independence Impartiality Confidentiality and Informality will report to the Vice Chancellor of Community Support & Engagement and the University Chief of Staff.

Essential Functions

Confidential Consultation & Conflict Management

• Provide a safe confidential and impartial environment for individuals and groups (students staff faculty) to share concerns clarify issues and explore resolution options.
• Listen actively to concerns identify underlying issues and help visitors understand relevant policies procedures and university processes.
• Offer conflict coaching conflict assessment communication strategies negotiation support and rehearsal to help individuals address concerns effectively.
• Facilitate or mediate informal dispute resolution processes when appropriate and with consent of all parties.
• Facilitate dialogue processes with teams and/or groups as tied to conflict management.

Assessment & Systemic Issue Identification

• Monitor and assess recurring concerns or patterns affecting campus climate and organizational health.
• Provide aggregated non-identifying trend analyses and insights to university leadership to support informed policy process and practice improvements.

Programming Outreach & Education

• Develop and deliver educational programming workshops and presentations on conflict prevention conflict resolution communication skills equity and related topics.
• Engage proactively with campus units to raise awareness of Ombuds services and promote constructive conflict management across the institution.
• Provide campus community with sustainable solutions to peacebuilding equipping them with skills to navigate or prevent conflict in a constructive way.

Capacity Building & Programmatic Efforts

• Create train and support the Peer Conflict Navigators program. This program trains a group of faculty members in working cross-divisional to support other faculty and/or faculty groups in navigating conflicts in and among faculty in the workplace as well as training faculty in interest-based negotiations.
• Work in partnership with Community Support and Engagement in creating and implementing a sustained dialogue program for differing groups (e.g. students faculty and staff). This program will work toward creating spaces of supportive engagement toward active listening across difference pluralism and developing habits of constructive dialogue.
• Create collaborate on and Implement trainings to departments/divisions in de-escalation and conflict management in attendance to university policy requiring some employees to respond to concerning situations and events.

Referral Policy & Resource Navigation

• Provide information and referrals to other campus offices and resources when formal processes or specialized services are more appropriate.
• Coach visitors on how to engage with other university systems while preserving confidentiality and autonomy.
• Works with policy-making committees such as the Faculty Senate Staff Advisory Council Deans Council Chancellors Cabinet including DEI and other departments to make recommendations for changes in policies procedures or operating structures as appropriate.
• Prepares to address perceived irregularities with academic policies and practices concerns about fairness or equity disrespectful or inappropriate behavior interpersonal disputes or conflicts among others.

Referrals

• Remains keenly aware of university policies and procedures governing conflict resolution HR practices academic integrity student rights and responsibilities and claims of discrimination or harassment.
• Serves as an information clearing house with respect to university policies and procedures and makes referrals as necessary.

Data & Reporting

• Maintain non-identifying data for assessing trends and preparing institutional climate insights.
• Contribute to periodic reporting on Ombuds Office activities trends and recommendations to senior leadership consistent with confidentiality standards.

Standards & Ethics

• Uphold the International Ombuds Associations Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics ensuring independence neutrality confidentiality and informality in all interactions.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Ability to earn the trust of constituencies and preserve the integrity of the process
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to work with students faculty and staff
• Knowledge of/or working experience with university policies and procedures
• Ability to provide input and evaluate system-- wide operating structures processes policies and procedures
• Experience knowledge and ability in dealing with confidential communications
• Ability to collaborate and work cooperatively with community members individuals groups and university offices
• Has the ability to create a safe space for off-the-record conversations with individuals to identify and evaluate options or potential referrals including to other offices or relevant conflict mediation.

Required Qualifications

• Advanced degree (Masters Ph.D. or equivalent) in Psychology Conflict Resolution Organizational Development or a closely related field.
• At least 15 years of progressive professional experience working with individuals groups organizations and complex systems including counseling conflict management facilitation or related areas.
• Demonstrated expertise in conflict resolution practices coaching mediation and informal dispute systems.
• Experience with assessment of systemic issues data analysis and preparing institutional recommendations.
• Strong knowledge of university policies procedures and academic cultures preferred.
• Exceptional interpersonal written and verbal communication skills.
• Commitment to confidentiality impartiality equity and ethical practice.
• Certification or formal training in mediation organizational ombuds practice or advanced conflict resolution methodologies.
• Prior experience in higher education or large complex institutions.
• Prior experience with public speaking

Working Environment

• Standard office environment.
• Unexpected interruptions occur often and stress level is moderate to high.
• Noise level is quiet to moderate.

Physical Activities

• Ability to work in front of a computer for extended periods of time.
• Occasionally required to move about the office/campus.

Work Schedule
Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. This position has the ability to work remotely up to three (3) days per week as needed and as in alignment with the job duties.

Application Deadline
For consideration please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) June 16 2026.

Special Instructions
Candidates must apply online through to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.

Salary Grade Number:
The salary grade for the position is 15.

Salary Range:
The salary range for this position is $115000-$135000

The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate departmental budget availability internal salary equity considerations and available market information but not based on a candidates sex or any other protected status.

Benefits:
The University of Denver offers excellent benefits including medical dental retirement paid time off tuition benefit and ECO pass. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about the University of Denver.

Please include the following documents with your application:
1. Resume
2. Cover Letter

The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex (including sex stereotypes sex characteristics sexual orientation gender identity and gender expression) marital family or parental status pregnancy or related conditions national origin disability or status as a protected veteran. The University of Denver does not discriminate and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race color national origin ancestry age religion creed disability sex (including sex stereotypes sex characteristics sexual orientation gender identity and gender expression) marital family and parental status pregnancy genetic information military enlistment or veteran status and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal state or local law regulation or ordinance in any of the Universitys educational programs and activities and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Americans with Disabilities Act; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Equal Pay Act; the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act; the Colorado Protecting Opportunities and Workers Rights (POWR) Act; and any other federal state and local laws regulations or ordinances that prohibit discrimination harassment and/or retaliation. For more information please see the University of Denvers NonDiscriminationStatement.

All offers of employment are based upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history and National Sex Offender Registry background check.