Assistant Ombudsperson

About University of Southern California

The University of Southern California is one of the world's leading private research universities. An anchor institution in Los Angeles, USC has a large number of international students and offers extensive opportunities for internships and study abroad. With a strong tradition of integrating liberal and professional education, USC fosters a vibrant culture of public service and encourages students to cross academic as well as geographic boundaries in their pursuit of knowledge. For more information, visit www.usc.edu.

About the Office of the Ombuds

The Office of the Ombuds provides confidential, impartial, and informal dispute resolution services for the campus and medical center. The Office serves as a resource for all constituencies including faculty, staff and/or students. Services provided include consultation, conflict coaching, one-on-one and group facilitation, referrals, explanations of policies and procedures, review of available informal and formal resolution options, group trainings, and other services as appropriate.

The Office operates independently of other administrative structures to maintain impartiality and to better ensure confidentiality when collaborating across the University. The Office does not advocate on behalf of any individual or entity within the organization, and instead, seeks to identify processes and solutions that are fair and equitable to all individuals.

About the Opportunity

Assistant Ombuds responsibilities are two-fold: providing comprehensive, high-level administrative and para-professional support to the Ombuds Office and, under the general direction of the University Ombuds, collaborating onindividualcases, exercising sound judgment and discretion in the intake, informal inquiry, conflict analysis, and formulating options and strategies for engagement/resolution of visitor concerns.

• Incumbent must exercise excellent judgement and utmost discretion essential to handling the extremely sensitive and confidential matters brought to the Office of the Ombuds.
• Ensure that the integrity of the office is maintained 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.
• Adhereto the International Ombuds Association Standards of Practice.
• In addition, the successful candidate must demonstrate, through ideas, words, and actions, a strong commitment toUSC's Unifying Valuesof integrity, excellence, diversity, equity and inclusion, well-being, open communication, and accountability.

While this role is primarily on-site on the University Park campus, occasional travel to other campuses may be required.

Key Responsibilities

Office Administration responsibilities --

• As first point of contact for callers/visitors to the Ombuds Office, ascertains the nature of requests and inquiries and, in consultation with the Ombuds, assigns cases as appropriate.
• Provides oversight of and coordinates all matters relating to the management and administration of the office's daily activities.
• The incumbent is responsible for budgetary monitoring and analysis, provides financial status reports as requested.
• Participates in the development of operating goals and objectives for the department.
• Makes informed recommendations regarding improving program effectiveness.
• Performs duties such as data collection, records maintenance, and report preparation.
• Oversees office operations and has signature authority.
• Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Ombuds responsibilities --

• Works on visitor matters of general to intermediate complexity. Assists in resolving problems and responding to questions. Serves as a strategic thought partner and conflict coach.
• Interfaces with faculty, staff, students, researchers, and external contacts.
• Listens to visitors, clarifies issues, assesses situations, and brainstorms options and strategies.
• Helps visitors explore informal and formal pathways to address or raise concerns; empowers visitors to manage and engage in conflict constructively;
• Assists with the interpretation and navigation of University policies and procedures;
• Provides relevant information and refers individuals to other University and community-based resources as needed.

• Cultivates positive work relationships with colleagues and campus partners in University-wide efforts to promote a culture and climate that is inclusive and equitable.

• Represents the Office through committee participation, presentations, and outreach to raise visibility and integrate conflict competence principles into campus culture.
• Assists in development, design, delivery of a range of outreach and training programs regarding mediation, negotiation, and other related skills sets to promote constructive communication, conflict resolution, and collaborative problem solving.
• Assists in preparation of Office annual report and other materials.
• Performs related duties based on departmental needs. This job description can be changed at any time.

The Ideal Candidate

We are seeking an individual with ...

• Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree or combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education.
• Minimum Experience: 2-3 years of directly related professional experience in conflict management.
• Strong listening, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Effective verbal and written communication.
• Effective collaboration with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
• Fair and effective process provision with impartiality.
• Collaboration in a small, independent department serving all staff and the university.
• Data collection, records maintenance, report preparation.
• Knowledge of customer service standards and procedures.

Preferred qualifications:

• Preferred Education: Master's degree.
• Preferred Field Expertise: Professional training or certification in mediation or alternative dispute resolution, including IOA Foundations and. Certified Organizational Ombuds Practitioner (CO-OP) designation or eligibility.
• Conflict resolution skills, including mediation process skills.
• Assessment, referral, and conflict management skills.
• Development and delivery of employee trainings.
• Use of independent judgment.
• Maintain confidential information.
• Knowledge of laws, regulations, methods, and techniques in conflict management.
• Familiarity with organizational development and communication theories.
• Must have or be eligible for membership in the International Ombuds Association and adhere to its Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.

Application Procedure

Please submit a cover letter with your resume or CV. It may be attached as one document or separately when you are attaching your resume in your application.

USC is an equal-opportunity educator and employer, proudly pluralistic and firmly committed to providing equal opportunity for outstanding persons of every race, gender, creed and background. The university particularly encourages members of underrepresented groups, veterans and individuals with disabilities to apply. USC will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities unless doing so would result in an undue hardship. Further information is available by contactinguschr@usc.edu.

The annual base salary range for this position is $83,893.53 - $90,000.00. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

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Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree, Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education
Minimum Experience: 3 years
Minimum Field of Expertise: Directly related professional experience in area of program specialization.