Ombuds

Posting Details

Posting Details

Title Ombuds

Posting Number S01069JP Department Presidents Office Job Summary

The Ombuds is a benefits eligible, year-round advisor reporting directly to the President of the College. Acting as a confidential, neutral, impartial resource, the Ombuds will listen to staff and faculty concerns, foster communications, and assist in navigating appropriate resources to promote equitable resolutions. While a direct report to the President for administrative purposes, the Ombuds will maintain the highest levels of confidentiality and independence, as aligned with the professional practices of an Ombuds.

In this role, the Ombuds will have excellent interpersonal skills, experience with conflict and problem resolution, the ability to gather information, analyze it and offer options. This position provides information, makes referrals to resources, answers questions, and assists in developing creative resolutions to address concerns or challenges. The successful candidate must be able to build a strong reputation on campus. They will be seen as resourceful, fair, credible, trustworthy, and culturally competent. They will be comfortable working with various and diverse constituents. The Ombuds is not an advocate and has no role in a formal institutional investigative or adjudicative procedure and does not replace existing campus administrative resources. The position will provide the President with de-identified data and regular aggregated reports to inform on workplace trends, and recommendations for employee engagement, satisfaction, and morale. The position will also serve as a campus resource for the President in formulating or modifying policy and procedures and raising issues that may surface as a result of a gap between the stated goals of the College and actual practices.

Roles and Responsibilities may also include:

Provide guidance and understanding of the College's policies, procedures, resources, and options

Offer a safe, respectful, and confidential space for staff/faculty to discuss challenges, issues, ask questions, and consider options, while identifying how decisions might impact all involved

Empower individuals to resolve conflicts for themselves through confidential processes such as conflict resolution coaching, problem- solving, and or facilitated conversations, mediations, or meetings with individuals or within groups.

Conduct outreach and training to educate staff and faculty about the role/services of the Ombuds, as well as design and conduct training programs on such topics as Individual/group conflict resolution, effective collaborative communications, coaching/feedback techniques, etc.

Adhere to the Standards of Practice and the Code of Ethics of the International Ombudsperson Association ( www. ombudsassociation.org)

Essential Functions:

Provide impartial, safe, and confidential consultation to faculty and staff members of the College that includes active listening, understanding of the Colleges policies, resources, and governance, evaluating options, with assessment of impacts.

Create an Ombuds charter for the College and share widely with employees

Provide assistance to employees by clarifying issues, identifying creative options for resolution and when appropriate acting as mediator.

Design, develop and facilitate programs and outreach to further understanding of conflict resolution, the role of the Ombuds, and other appropriate topics.

In accordance with International Ombuds Association standards, confidentially maintain statistical data, prepare reports (aggregated), and identify trends.

Facilitate group/individual meetings to develop cooperative strategies, enhance negotiation skills, and foster communication among parties in conflict.

Demonstrate a commitment to valuing diversity and contribute to providing an inclusive working environment.

Work effectively with others and perform to the best of personal abilities to successfully accomplish individual, department and College goals, as well as punctual and regular attendance.

Other duties as assigned, that fall within the International Ombuds Association Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics.

Education/Skills Requirements

Bachelor's Degree required or Advanced degree is desirable.

Certification or willingness to obtain certification from the International Ombuds Association is required.

Experience Requirements and/or Equivalents

Demonstrate professional experience (minimum of 5 years) directly related to conflict/dispute resolution, mediation, and/or counseling is required.

Demonstrated understanding of how race, sexual orientation, and gender impact the workplace

Ability to handle confidential matters with discretion and sensitivity

Strong communication skills including outstanding listening skills, with the ability to cultivate trust and credibility is essential.

Demonstrated experience with extensive knowledge of problem solving, conflict resolution, mediation, with a variety of constituents is strongly preferred.

Deep commitment to diversity, inclusion and belonging as well as demonstrated competence working in pluralistic communities is required.

Experience with generating and analyzing data for trends while keeping secure confidential statistical data.

Demonstrated experience with designing, developing, and delivering training and community outreach on a variety of topics that might include conflict resolution, mediation, coaching, etc. is desirable.

Knowledge of higher education, college campus resources, and college governance, is required

Standard Work Days and Hours

This is an on campus, part-time (25-30 hours per week, 12 months year-round) position with a salary range of $75,000-$105,000 depending on hours/FTE.

About Bowdoin

Bowdoin embraces diversity in all forms, and the College is home to talented students, faculty and staff—with a variety of racial, ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds; religious beliefs; and gender identities, among other factors.

We encourage applications from candidates committed to the support of an inclusive campus community and those who will enrich and contribute to the College's multifaceted diversity. We value a community in which individuals of all backgrounds are warmly welcomed and encouraged to succeed.

Founded in 1794, Bowdoin has maintained its commitment to the liberal arts for well over 200 years. Bowdoin's reputation as a preeminent liberal arts college rests on the excellence of its faculty, students, and staff; intimate size; strong sense of community; and connections to the people, history, and natural beauty of Maine.

Bowdoin's campus is situated in a beautiful natural setting. Located in Brunswick, Maine, a town of approximately 20,000, the College is a short drive from the Maine coast, twenty-five miles from Portland and 120 miles from Boston.

Shift Employment Category Part Time Year Round FTE 0.50 Benefits Eligible Yes Pay Type Salaried Background Check Package Requirements Faculty/Administrative Is driving a vehicle (e.g. Bowdoin vehicle or off road vehicle, rental car, personal car) an essential function of this job? No Is a pre-placement physical required for this position? No Posting Date 01/31/2023 Applications Accepted Until Open Until Filled No Type of Posting Internal/External Special Instructions to Applicants EEO Information

Bowdoin College complies with applicable provisions of federal and state laws that prohibit unlawful discrimination in employment, admission, or access to its educational or extracurricular programs, activities, or facilities based on race, color, ethnicity, ancestry and national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, age, marital status, place of birth, genetic predisposition, veteran status, or against qualified individuals with physical or mental disabilities on the basis of disability, or any other legally protected statuses.

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