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Job Description Title Student Ombuds  
Working Title  
Position Number 990199  
Home Organization VP Enrollment Management & Student - Kent Campus (100467)  
Campus Kent  
Job Open Date 03-23-2012  
Job Close Date
(1 week, 2 weeks, etc?) Open Until Filled
Pay Grade 10  
Basic Function Assist students with resolving university-related concerns, complaints, and grievances; interpret policies and procedures for students and other members of the University community. Reports to Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs.  
Contract Length 12 month  
Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities Duties/essential functions may include, but not be limited to, the following:

Assist Students in resolving university-related concerns, complaints, and grievances through interpretation of university policies and procedures and the utilization of informal and formal resolution strategies.

Review university policies and procedures and make recommendations when appropriate.

Market the services of the office through outreach programs.

Respond to, advise, and otherwise consult with all levels of institution's academic and administrative/professional personnel including but not limited to President, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, college/school/regional deans and associate/assistant deans, academic department chairs, unit directors/associate directors, and individual faculty members.

Apply acquired expertise and judgment to a wide range of institutional policies, regulations and issues directly impacting students, both academic and non-academic, to include the conduct of students, classroom decorum, academic progress, due process, grade grievances, financial aid, campus safety, and catalog interpretation.

Develop and support the implementation of specific informal and formal strategies designed to assist students in the resolution of University-related concerns/issues.

Guide, manage, and negotiate situations/issues, often of high significance and sensitivity, to effective resolution.

Serve on related university committees.

Perform related duties as assigned.  
Leadership and Supervision  
Minimum Qualifications
  Education and Experience
  Other Knowledge, Skills, and
  Abilities Master's degree in Student Personnel, Higher Education, Law, Justice Studies/Conflict Resolution, or a relevant field. Six to seven years of progressively responsible student services experience which has included experience with conflict resolution. A doctorate degree is preferred.

Knowledge Of:
Conflict resolution and mediation techniques

Skill In:

Customer/student services

Written, verbal and interpersonal communication

Managing multiple issues, projects, and assignments

Basic counseling to include recognition of indicative behavioral distress signals

Handling sensitive/personal information

Partnership building with students, faculty, staff, parents/families, and the community

Evaluating, interpreting, and applying complex requirements and policies of an academic and non academic nature

Tactfully and effectively handle confrontation situations


Ability To:
Ability to apply broad institutional perspective and utilize a proactive style of leadership that encourages cooperation

Ability to work independently and as part of a team

Analyze situations and develop solutions

Ability to navigate through complex organizational hierarchies

Work effectively with diverse populations and various constituencies  
Additional Information
(Unique characteristics or needs of the position) Desirable Qualifications: Experience with Kent State University policies, systems, personnel and structures is strongly preferred.

Job specific information:

Reporting to the Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs, the Student Ombuds assists students with resolving university-related concerns, complaints, and grievances. The Student Ombuds also interprets policies and procedures for students and other members of the university community.

The full-time, 12-month administrative Student Ombuds position, in seeking resolution on a broad range of student issues, is in potential contact with all levels of the institution's academic and administrative/professional personnel, including but not limited to the President, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, college/school/regional deans/directors and associate/assistant deans, academic department chairs, unit directors/associate directors, and individual faculty members. The Student Ombuds is expected to develop and implement formal or informal strategies in various conflict/problem situations and apply expertise and sound judgment in their ultimate resolution.


Must pass a security check.

For this description, and all official KSU job descriptions, go to www.kent.edu/hr.

Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer  
Work Schedule  
Salary Base 90000  
Physical Requirements  
Disclaimer The intent of this description is to illustrate the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and should not be interpreted to describe all the specific duties and responsibilities that may be required in any particular position. Directly related education/experience beyond the minimum stated may be substituted where appropriate at the discretion of the Appointing Authority. Kent State University reserves the right to revise or change job duties, job hours, and responsibilities.  
Position Category Unclassified  
Specific Contact or Mailing Instructions: Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. In addition to applying online, please attach a cover letter, resume, and the contact information for three professional references