Ombudsman

Position Overview

The Ombudsman 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 in relation to the position. This is not a comprehensive listing of all responsibilities or tasks; 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
• Receives and documents initial concerns; conducts fact finding; and recommends means of resolution
• 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
• Monitors compliance with interventions and sanctions related to complaint resolution
• Tracks, records, compiles, and analyzes data and develops reports of findings, alternatives, and recommendations
• 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
• Coordinates development and distribution of multilingual communications and materials to ensure equal access and understanding of rights and processes
• Provides consultative services to division administration and staff

Qualifications

Experience

Six years of ombudsman or professional mediation conflict resolution experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in education, psychology, sociology, conflict resolution, human resources, public administration, or related field.

Equivalent combinations of education and experience are also acceptable.

Licenses and Certifications

NA

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 position:

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.

FLSA Status: Exempt

Months/Days/Hours: 12 Months/248 Days/ 8 Hours

Reports to: Chief of Staff

Salary Range: $115,754 - $181,976 annually