Job Posting: University of Nevada Las Vegas

The large public research university in Nevada will expand its Ombuds Office with the hiring of a full-time Assistant Ombuds/Program Manger. The new position will report to UNLV's Ombuds, David G. Schwartz, who has run the program single-handedly since 2021, serving 35,000 campus stakeholders. The job will manage business operations for the Ombuds Office's and also provide Ombuds services to individual visitors and groups.

Job Posting: Western University of Health Sciences

The private medical university in Pomona, California, has opened a search for its first Ombudsperson. The full-time position will established a program to serve the entire campus community, including 3,700 students and over 2,000 employees. The Ombuds will report to the President and practice to IOA standards. Some travel to WesternU's campus in Lebanon, Oregon, is required. 

Northwestern University Adds an Associate Ombuds

Kamaria B. Porter has been hired as the first Associate Ombudsperson for the private research university north of Chicago. She will expand Northwestern's Office of the Ombudsperson and report directly to the University Ombuds, Sarah Klaper. Porter is expected to provide Ombuds services to faculty, staff, and students following IOA standards.

World Wildlife Fund Selects Next Ombuds

Susana Rodriguez has been appointed the Ombudsperson for WWF, the global conservation. She follows Gina Barbieri, who established the role in 2021. Rodriguez reports to the WWF Director General and International Board, and serves internal and external stakeholders. According to an announcement from WWF, she will take the Ombuds program "from its foundational design to its operational phase."

Meet the Ombuds for the National Association for Business Economics

Robyn B. Klinger has been appointed is the inaugural Ombuds for NABE, the international association for applied economics. (A webpage for an upcoming symposium says that NABE "recently retained" Klinger and the Terms of Reference is dated July 10, 2024; Klinger's LinkedIn profile, however, indicates that she has been serving in the role since 2019.) The NABE Ombuds serves the entire NABE community, including employees, conference participants, and other event attendees, and generally practices to IOA standards. 

USOA Elects 2024 Leadership

The United States Ombudsman Association announced its new Board of Directors and Chapter leaders. Directors serve two year terms and are elected by voting members of the Association. The new members of the Board are:

Job Posting: Southern Alberta Institute of Technology

The polytechnic institute in Calgary, Alberta is hiring a full-time Ombudsperson. The position, which was established by Kamini Bernard in 2021, provides services to all members of the SAIT campus community, a population of nearly 15,000. The SAIT Ombuds reports to the Vice President of External Relations and receives advice and direction from the Ombudsperson Leadership Committee, which includes student representatives.

Alameda County District Attorney Appoints First Ombuds

Pamela Y. Price, the District Attorney for Alameda County, California, has created an Ethical Ombudsperson Office and appointed Assistant District Attorney Kwixuan Maloof to the role. Price, who is facing a recall vote in November, said that the Ombuds would reinforce her commitment to transparency and accountability. Maloof is continuing as ADA and thus would be a collateral duty Ombuds and will report to Price. This appears to be the first Ombuds program within a prosecutor's office in the U.S.

European Southern Observatory Selects Experienced Ombuds

After an extended, international search, Tahirih Varner has been appointed the next Ombuds for the European Organisation for Astronomical Research in the Southern Hemisphere. She follows Camilo Azcarate, who established the position in 2019. Although ESO is headquartered near Munich, the position is primarily based in Santiago, with frequent visits to various observatories in Chile and at least three months per year in Munich.

Environment and Climate Change Canada Appoints Next Ombuds

Environment Canada (Environnement et Changement climatique Canada) has confirmed Susie Roussel as its Ombuds. She leads an office of about six and provides services to 7,000 federal employees that oversee environmental policies and programs. She follows ECCC's inaugural Ombuds, Corinne Boudreault.

COFO 2024 Annual Conference: Call for Presentations

The Coalition of Federal Ombuds is now accepting proposals to present at its 2024 Annual Conference on Friday, October 25, 2024. The conference will be a hybrid event, with an in-person conference in Alexandria, Virginia, and a virtual component. COFO is soliciting proposals for both virtual and in-person presentations. 

Job Posting: Virginia Tech

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, the public research university in Blacksburg, will expand its Ombuds Office with the hiring of its first Associate Ombuds. The position will report to the Director & University Ombuds, Reese Ramos, and provide services to all campus stakeholders, including faculty, staff, and students. This is not a remote position, but is eligible for a telework/hybrid schedule.

University of Washington Associate Ombud Retires

Ruthy Kohorn Rosenberg, an experienced and highly respected Ombuds, has announced her intention to retire in August. She was the inaugural University Ombuds for Brown and served in that position from 2012-2020. She has spent the last four years as an Associate Ombud at the University of Washington.

Job Posting: University of Cincinnati

The public research university in Ohio is hiring an Associate Ombuds. The position reports to (now permanent) Ombuds, Jivanto P. van Hemert. The position provides services to about 60,000 students, staff, and faculty. The job posting explains that the Ombuds office is confidential and practices to IOA standards, except for matters within the scope of Title IX.

St. Johns River State College Creates Ombuds Program

Earlier this year, the public college in Northeast Florida unveiled a webpage for its new Student Support Ombuds Office. Iana Harris was appointed the inaugural Student Support Ombudsman for over 10,000 students across three campuses. According to the website, Harris can assist students with a wide range of academic and nonacademic matters, explaining: "The ombuds engages proactively with students to empower them to succeed at SJR State and beyond."