Office of Personnel Management Seeks Comments on Proposed Ombuds Data Collection

The OPM Executive Secretariat is accepting comments from the general public and other federal agencies on a new information collection request for the OPM Ombudsman. The OPM Ombuds program is a resource for OPM customers and employees. The office currently requires visitors to complete a Privacy Release that enables the Ombuds to obtain relevant information and materials. In addition, the OPM Ombuds uses two optional forms: a Third Party Authorization; and a web-based Request for Assistance. 

Asian Development Bank Seeks Bids to Review Ombuds Office

The ADB is hiring a consultant to conduct an external review of the Office of the Ombudsperson, which was established in 2012 and currently headed by Wayne Blair. The review process is expected to take three months and be completed by May 6, 2020. Compensation for the project, including travel and other expenses, is about $60,000. Proposals are due February 24, 2020.

Job Posting: Federal Emergency Management Agency

FEMA's Alternative Dispute Resolution Division (in the Office of the Chief Counsel) is hiring for two positions: Full-Time Deployable Field ADR Advisor and Intermittent On-Call Reservist ADR Advisor. Both are assigned to the Washington, DC office. but deployment to disaster locations is routine. Some telework may be permitted.

Job Posting: Office of Personnel Management

The independent federal agency that manages the civilian services is hiring an Associate Ombuds. The full-time position is based in Washington, DC, and is eligible for some telework. Travel may be required occasionally. Surprisingly, there is no public information about the personnel of this important government Ombuds program.

CoFO Continues Work on Thorny Issues Facing Government Ombuds

At its annual meeting last month, the Coalition of Federal Ombudsmen tackled several issues that bear on the profession in the public sector.

• FOIA Requests -- Panelists reflected on President Obama's Memorandum advising agencies to release information in the absence of specific, compelling reasons not to. The discussion recognized the inherent tension between the FOIA and the Ombuds’ confidentiality commitment, and the FOIA exemption specified in the Alternative Dispute Resolution Act.
• Keynote Address -- The Honorable John Berry, Director of the Office of Personnel Management, offered the perspective that Ombuds give people a “fair shake” without resorting to legal processes.
• Proposed Federal Ombudsman Act -- A panel of five Ombuds from different agencies discussed whether CoFO should move forward on a Federal Ombudsman Act that would require establishment of Ombudsman Offices in Federal agencies. In responses to audience questions and comments, it was agreed that the outcome of a pending survey of CoFO members would dictate the course of future CoFO action.
• Business Meeting -- CoFO Chair Mike Turpenoff concluded the conference by addressing the process of electing officers, further consideration of a revised CoFO Charter, the creation of a Federal job series for Ombudsman, and CoFO serving as a consultant for the creation of an Ombuds program at the Office of Personnel Management.

The next CoFO meeting is set for September 9, 2009. (CoFO Meeting Minutes.)

Prior post: COFO Sets Conference Agenda.

COFO Collaborating With Federal Agencies Creating New Ombuds Programs

At its February meeting, the Coalition of Federal Ombudsmen heard from several government administrators developing new programs.  Mindy Fleisher from the Patent and Trademark Office gave details about the development of an external Ombuds. Barbara Malebranche updated the efforts to create an Ombuds program in the Office of Personnel Management, including a charter and prototype website.

The Ombuds Year in Review: 2010

In the past year, IOA held its fifth annual conference, an attorney wrote the first guide for Ombuds, U.S. legislation created new federal Ombuds programs, FCO began its own training program, a campus suicide drew attention to the role of Ombuds in bullying cases, Cal Caucus resumed its annual meeting, nearly two dozen new offices opened, other Ombuds were newsworthy, certification became a reality, and several notable Ombuds passed away.

National Institutes of Health Appoints Deputy and Two Associate Ombuds

The Office of the Ombudsman, Center for Cooperative Resolution at NIH has named David Michael as Deputy Ombudsman and Linda Myers and Lisa Witzler as Associate Ombudsmen. The new appointees join Howard Gadlin, Ombudsman and Director of the Center, and Associate Ombudsmen Linda Brothers, Samantha Levine-Finley, and Kathleen Moore.

Audit by University of Virginia Finds No Record of Bullying, Upholds Role of Ombuds

An internal audit by UVA has found that the University took "appropriate actions" in handling a situation earlier this year at the Virginia Quarterly Review in which an employee committed suicide. The case drew national attention when the decedent's relatives and friends alleged that the suicide had resulted from bullying by the managing editor of the award-winning journal. Now the University is defending its actions and is reiterating that it would have had no notice of complaints heard by the Ombuds.

Secretary of State Clinton Promises Ombuds for Foreign Service Workers

At a Town Hall for State Department employees marking their first anniversary, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was asked about the status of the Ombudsman for Civil Service Employees.

MAJ. WALTER BRUCE: * * * I have one other issue, and that is ombudsman. I sent Pat [Patrick F. Kennedy, Under Secretary for Management] an email back in May of last year and I’ve known Pat for a long time and I know he supports everything that we possibly do *because it’s all in one accord. And I’m only concerned about what’s the status of the ombudsman program. That’s the guy or girl that’s supposed to be looking out for Civil Service employees. This is a Foreign Service organization. We got no doubts about that. But there should be an infrastructure in place that looks out for the interests and advances of those that we consider to be civil servants. (Applause.) I just wanted a status.

So, Madame Secretary, all I want to know is – and I’m sure Pat going to be able to tell me this – where we stand on it. (Laughter.) That’s all I have.

SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you so much and thanks for your many years of service to our country, first in the military and now here. We’re going to have that ombudsman, aren’t we, Pat? (Laughter.)

UNDER SECRETARY KENNEDY: Madame Secretary, yes, the law requires that the ombudsman must be a member of the Senior Executive Service. We have no other choice; it’s written in the statute. So we are in the process in all this turnover of recruiting someone because we have to identify an SES position and recruit someone. That process is ongoing.

SECRETARY CLINTON: And there’s no pre-selection? (Laughter and applause.)

Yes.

The Department of State Foreign Affairs Manual explains that Civil Service Ombuds serves as senior advisor to the Secretary of State and senior Department management, and as consultant for Civil Service employees. The position has been vacant for several years. (Department of State Sec. Clinton Remarks, Foreign Affairs Manual Vol. 1–Organization and Functions; see also, 22 U.S. Code 2664a; Office of Personnel Management, ADR Guide.)

IOA Seeks Feedback on Final Draft of Standards of Practice

The International Ombuds Association has released the final draft of its revised Standards of Practice and a new accompanying Compendium for member review and comment by July 16, 2026. The revisions conclude a clarification review that began in 2025 and included recommendations from a Board-appointed task force, guided review sessions, and extensive member feedback. According to the IOA, the new Compendium is intended to provide additional guidance on interpreting and applying the Standards (meanwhile, while the review of the Code of Ethics has been paused until the Standards are finalized). This is likely to be the final opportunity for members to comment before the revised Standards are presented to the Board for adoption.

Job Posting: Office of Personnel Management

OPM is hiring a director for the Office of the Ombudsman in Washington, DC. The position is located in the Office of the Executive Secretariat and provides impartial, neutral, independent and confidential assistance to OPM customers and employees of the agency with issues of concern or complaints regarding quality and timeline standards, requirements and expectations or other matters affecting efficient operation.

Job Posting: Office of Personnel Management

OPM is hiring a Staff Assistant to the Director of the Executive Secretariat and Ombudsman in Washington, DC. In some respects, the position seems to be administrative and managerial. On the other hand, many duties resemble those of an Organizational Ombuds:

National Institutes of Health Profiles Three New Ombuds

A recent article in the NIH employee newsletter introduces three new members of the Office of the Ombudsman/Center for Cooperative Resolution, David Michael, Linda Myers and Lisa Witzler. They report to Director Howard Gadlin and join Associate Ombuds Linda M. Brothers, Kathleen Moore and Samantha Levine-Finley.

Office of Personnel Management Unveils Ombuds Program

A new website confirms the new Ombuds program for the federal agency that manages civil servants. The OPM established an Ombudsman Office in January 2010, "to provide a neutral, independent and confidential resource to review, identify, facilitate and timely resolve individual claims, concerns or complaints by OPM customers and employees."

Federal Court Holds That Complaint to FBI Ombuds Does Not Satisfy Prisoner's Exhaustion Requirement

Last week, a Federal trial court in California ruled that a prisoner cannot satisfy a requirement to exhaust administrative remedies by sending a letter to the Federal Bureau of Investigation Ombudsman. The plaintiff in the case, Christopher S. Rider, complained that California prison officials violated his civil rights while in custody. In order to satisfy the legal requirement that he had previously sought and exhausted all forms of informal or formal relief from the proper administrative officials, Rider alleged that he had written to the FBI Ombudsman asking for an investigation of the defendants' alleged conduct. A Magistrate Judge for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California rejected Rider's argument:

[S]ending a letter to an internal affairs department or to an FBI ombudsman does not satisfy the exhaustion requirement. As noted above, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has an established administrative grievance system and a prescribed grievance process that plaintiff must complete prior to bringing a [Civil Rights Act] § 1983 action on his claims. (Rider v. Goldy, 2010 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 12360 (E.D. Cal. Feb. 11, 2010), *4 [subscription required].)

The decision on this issue is reassuringly predictable because the FBI Ombudsman deals only with work-related concerns of FBI employees and has no connection to prisoners, especially those in state custody. However, as the decision of a trial court, this case creates no legal precedent. (Office of Personnel Management, ADR Resource Guide.)

Job Posting: Office of Personnel Management

OPM seems to be hiring two Assistant Ombuds for its Office of the Ombudsman in Washington, DC. The OPM Ombudsman's Office is a neutral, independent and confidential resource for customers and employees with issues or complaints regarding OPM. In addition to handling an individual caseload, the positions compile data, draft reports, analyze and identify systemic issues and makes recommendations, and develop written materials. One position is GS-13 (salary $89,033-115,742) and the other is GS-11/13 (salary $62,467-115,742). Applications are due March 5. (Federal Government Jobs, Vacancy No. 10-177-TLV, Vacancy No. 10-177-LED.)

Related post: CoFO Continues Work on Thorny Issues Facing Government Ombuds.

Job Posting: Office of Personnel Management

The OPM is filling more than just two positions for its Office of the Ombudsman in Washington, DC. The current posting for the OPM Ombudsman's Office seeks to fill a "few" vacancies at the GS-11, 12 and 13 levels.

Job Posting: Federal Bureau of Investigation

The principal federal law enforcement agency for the U.S. is accepting external applications for one or more Associate Organizational Ombudsman positions.  "As a senior staff member in the Office of the Ombudsman, [the position] serves as an expert advisor, liaison and consultant to executives, managers, operational and administrative personnel. Work is primarily in the conflict management/dispute resolution field and entails complex, in depth and independent planning, research, analysis and feedback on-a broad range of personnel, administrative, organizational and systems issues." The position reports to the FBI Ombudsman, Monique A. Bookstein, who has led the office since for the past decade.

Job Posting: Office of Personnel Management

The new and growing Ombuds program at OPM is hiring an Ombudsman Support Technician. The position supports the work of the office by serving as the initial contact to incoming callers and visitors, managing the online database, acting as a liaison within the office, and preparing written materials.