Job Description

Current UC employees must apply internally via SuccessFactors >

Founded in 1819, the University of Cincinnati ranks among the nation's best urban public research universities. Home to more than 50,000 students, 11,000 faculty and staff and 340,000 alumni, UC combines a Top 35 public research university with a physical setting The New York Times calls "the most ambitious campus design program in the country."

With the launch of Next Lives Here, the Cincinnati Innovation District, a $100 million JobsOhio investment, nine straight years of record enrollment, worldwide leadership in cooperative education, a dynamic academic health center and entry into the Big 12 Conference, UC's momentum has never been stronger. UC's annual budget tops $1.65 billion and its endowment totals $1.8 billion. The University's overall regional economic impact exceeds $10.6 billion, paving the way for the future of Cincinnati.

About the Office of the University Ombuds

For over 50 years, the Ombuds Office has supported faculty, staff, students, and other UC community members in navigating university-related conflicts and concerns. As the University of Cincinnati continues significant growth and evolution (including sustained record-setting enrollment, expanding research efforts, joining the Big 12, and more), the office is also undergoing a period of development and renewal. We are seeking a new teammate who will help drive progress as the Ombuds team works to meet the expanding and evolving needs of developing a conflict-competent campus community.

Job Overview

Support informal dispute engagement, facilitation, and resolution in support of a conflict-competent campus community. The day-to-day work includes consultation, conflict analysis, conflict coaching, mediation, and facilitation. Outside of Title IX reporting, all Ombuds team members operate within the International Ombudsman Association Standards of Practice. While this role is primarily on-site on the Clifton campus, occasional travel to other campuses may be required and hybrid work options can be arranged.

Essential Functions

• Under the general direction of the University Ombuds, independently exercise sound judgment and discretion in the intake, informal inquiry, conflict analysis, and formulation of options and strategies for engagement/resolution of complex concerns. 
• Collaborate on individual cases and any that may overlap or address concerns with systemic issues.
• Listen , clarify concerns, identify and evaluate visitor options, consult, and coach to enable a conflict- competent community. 
• Identify and share resources or information on formal processes, key stakeholders, and potential timelines of formal grievance processes. 
• Conduct informal fact-finding to improve understanding of the issues as needed and appropriate.
• Provide tailored coaching, mediation, shuttle diplomacy, and facilitation services to support competent conflict engagement and dispute resolution between parties.
• Holistically work to prevent, address, and facilitate the resolution of workplace concerns, conflicts, and other issues before they result in a formal grievance or litigation, including concerns on individual , interpersonal, group, departmental, and systemic levels. Identify and analyze trends/patterns in concerns raised.

Essential Functions (cont'd)

• Develop, apply, and share knowledge and experience with University policies, procedures, and personnel in resolving complaints. 
• Assist in interpreting University policies and procedures. Maintain awareness of the impacts of conflicts and concerns.
• Represent the Office through committee participation, presentations, and outreach to raise visibility and integrate conflict competence principles into campus culture. 
• Attend periodic stakeholder and partner outreach events; facilitate Office outreach activities.
• Design, develop, and deliver curricula, workshops, and educational experiences related to conflict engagement, dispute resolution, communication, and associated skill building for various campus groups.
• Adhere to the International Ombudsman Association Standards of Practice. 
• Ensure that the integrity of the office is maintained by ombuds office staff through adherence to and perception of independence, fair process, impartiality, confidentiality, and timely attention to the engagement and resolution of issues while treating people with dignity and respect.
• Perform related duties based on departmental needs. This job description can be changed at any time.

Required Education

• Bachelor's Degree
• Seven (7) years of relevant work experience and/or other specialized training can be used in lieu of education requirement.

Required Experience

Three (3) years of related experience in ombuds work, conflict resolution, higher education, mediation and/or negotiation or related field.

Required Trainings/Certifications

N/A

Additional Qualifications Considered

• ↵ Advanced degree in Higher Education, Dispute Resolution, Organizational Management, or other related field.
• Experience in a university environment.
• Demonstrated skills in mediation, facilitated dialogue, restorative justice, dispute systems designs , conflict coaching, and/or executive/leadership coaching.
• Familiarity of alternative dispute resolution associations, i.e. International Ombudsman Association, American Bar Association ADR, Association of Conflict Resolution.
• Public speaking and facilitation experience.

Physical Requirements/Work Environment

• Office environment/no specific unusual physical or environmental demands.

Application Process Information

Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to learn more about the office by visiting UC.edu/ombuds and then are invited to apply online at Jobs.UC.edu with a cover letter and CV/Resume that describes their interest and demonstrates their qualifications for the role. 
We know some candidates are less likely to apply to jobs if they do not meet every qualification and that effective Ombuds come from a wide range of experiences or backgrounds. Accordingly, we welcome all interested candidates to apply including those that meet only some of the preferred qualifications.

Applications will be reviewed beginning in August and continue until the position is filled.  Contact the hiring manager manager and search committee chair, Jivanto van Hemert, University Ombuds at vanhemjp@ucmail.uc.edu or 513-556-5956 with additional questions.

Compensation and Benefits

UC offers a wide array of complementary and affordable benefit options, to meet the financial, educational, health, and wellness needs of you and your family. Eligibility varies by position and FTE.

• Competitive salary range of $40,738.32 - $67,145.69 dependent on the candidate's experience.
• Comprehensive insurance plans including medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage.
• Flexible spending accounts and an award-winning employee wellness program, plus an employee assistance program.
• Financial security via our life and long-term disability insurance, accident and illness insurance, and retirement savings plans.
• Generous paid time off work options including vacation, sick leave, annual holidays, and winter season days in addition to paid parental leave.
• Tuition remission is available for employees and their eligible dependents.
• Enjoy discounts for on and off-campus activities and services.

For questions about the UC recruiting process or to request accommodations with the application, please contact Human Resources at jobs@uc.edu . 

The University of Cincinnati is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

REQ: 96566 

About University of Cincinnati

HISTORY IN BRIEF - The University of Cincinnati is a public urban serving research institution that was founded in 1819 and today is one of the country’s largest universities offering more than 350 academic programs to more than 44,000 students. UC has many top ranked programs in areas such as Music and Arts, Medical and Human-Services, Criminal Justice and more. Located in an urban setting, UC is close to the heart of Cincinnati and allows easy access for students to enjoy all that the city offers. UC is also the alma mater of many notables such as President William Howard Taft; Albert Sabin, developer of the oral polio vaccine; Astronaut Neil Armstrong and Mary Weinberg, 2008 Olympic gold medalist. UC is classified as a Research University (Very High Research Activity) by the Carnegie Commission and is ranked as one of America’s top 35 public research universities by the National Science Foundation. UC jumped 17 spots in the U.S. News & World Report rankings in the past two years alone. In addition to being named a “green university” by Princeton Review, UC has been named one of the world’s most beautiful campuses by Forbes and Delta Sky magazines. Learn more at ... N STATEMENT - The University of Cincinnati serves the people of Ohio, the nation, and the world as a premier, public, urban research university dedicated to undergraduate, graduate, and professional education, experience-based learning, and research. We are committed to excellence and diversity in our students, faculty, staff, and all of our activities. We provide an inclusive environment where innovation and freedom of intellectual inquiry flourish. Through scholarship, service, partnerships, and leadership, we create opportunity, develop educated and engaged citizens, enhance the economy and enrich our University, city, state and global community.

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