Associate Ombudsperson - UC Berkeley

Job Opportunity: University of California, Berkeley

Associate Ombudsperson #15484

The Staff Ombuds Office is an independent department that provides informal conflict resolution and problem-solving services for all Staff, Non- Senate Academics, and Faculty who perform management functions. The Staff Ombuds Office is strictly confidential and is a safe place to voice and clarify concerns, understand conflict situations, and find effective ways to respond.

The department works effectively with an extremely diverse range of individuals and groups at all levels within the organization and assists in constructively managing conflicts in highly sensitive and complex situations. Based on observations from its caseload, the Staff Ombuds Office provides regular feedback to University officials, identifies preventative measures and makes recommendations for systemic change.

The Associate Ombudsperson provides impartial, informal, independent and confidential conflict resolution services to the campus community, including staff, faculty who direct their work, and non-Senate academics. Services include individual and group needs assessment and coaching on a wide range of conflict management techniques; referrals to appropriate internal and extern resources; facilitation of effective dialogue on sensitive issues; informal mediation; developing and presenting workshops on conflict-related topics; and assessing the campus climate, providing upward feedback regarding patterns of concern, and making recommendations for systemic change that enable staff to thrive.UC Berkeley will be completing a $3 billion campaign next December 2013, the most ambitious campaign in its history. Even in the midst of the worst recession since the Great Depression, Berkeley has continued to achieve philanthropic success. During the last fiscal year, the University received more than $300 million in gifts. According to the Council for Aid to Education, between 2005-10, gifts to Berkeley increased by 54.6%, which is the fastest rate of increase achieved by any U.S. university, public or private. As a result, the relationships that have been built over the past seven years have created the foundation for future philanthropic growth.

Responsibilities

Reporting to the Director of the Staff Ombuds Office, the Associate Ombudsperson is responsible for:

• Providing a full range of ombuds services, including working with individuals and/or groups to present a range of options to resolve conflict by candidly discussing problems and issues, opening channels of communications and referrals to appropriate university resources, providing conflict resolution coaching, shuttle diplomacy, and mediating cases when needed.

• Serving as an institutional resource to other offices on Campus for resolving complaints at an informal level. Conducting conflict resolution needs assessments for campus departments and designing and presenting tailor-made training on conflict resolution as well as campus-wide trainings on bullying, communicating effectively during conflict, dealing with difficult situations and behavior in the workplace, mediation, managing conflict, and other topics.

• Collaborating with other Ombuds professionals, and, as required, all levels of University administration on issues of concern.

• Serving as an advocate for change by reporting systemic issues identified through casework, including preparation of periodic reports.

• Adhering to the International Ombudsman Association Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics.

Required Qualifications

• Expert knowledge of alternative dispute resolution theories, principles, practices, and techniques.

• Expert knowledge of the appropriate role of an organizational ombudsperson and the code of ethics and standards of practice.

• Substantial experience mediating work-related conflicts and/or experience as an organizational ombudsperson.

• Expert interpersonal communication skills to work effectively with a broad range of diverse populations within a complex and multi-layered organization, including effective listening, discernment, brainstorming, empathy and sensitivity skills.

• Demonstrated ability to quickly understand complex situations and to help people evaluate a variety of options.

• Demonstrated ability working with people of diverse backgrounds and cultures, including multicultural sensitivity.

• Comprehensive understanding of group dynamics, and ability to effectively facilitate group conflict resolution.

• Expert training skills, including experience assessing training needs, and developing and presenting effective workshops on a variety of conflict-related topics.

• Skills to achieve a thorough understanding of the Campus, its mission, vision, goals, objectives, resources, infrastructure, policies, procedures, and practices.

• Skills to understand the risk and liability issues of a large, complex academic and research institution.

• Skills in research/assessment, critical thinking and problem-solving.

• Skills in analyzing statistical data to provide institutional feedback regarding trends, practices, policies, procedures, and campus climate issues.

Preferred Qualifications

• An advanced degree combined with relevant dispute resolution training or ombudsman experience is preferred.

Salary & Benefits

$71,600 (minimum) - $128,800 (maximum)

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University visit:

http://atyourservice.ucop.edu/forms_pubs/misc/benefits_of_belonging.pdf

How to Apply

Interested parties go to http://jobs.berkeley.edu and reference job #14859.

Please submit your cover letter and resume as a single attachment when applying.

This position is open for applications through April 29, 2013.

Criminal Background Check

This position has been designated as sensitive and may require a Criminal Background Check. We reserve the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of a Criminal Background Check.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California, Berkeley is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.

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