Journal of IOA Calls for Papers

The Journal of the International Ombudsman Association, a peer-reviewed, online journal for scholarly articles and information relevant to the Ombudsman profession, is seeks submissions.  The deadline for the next issue of JIOA is September 1, 2014.

NorthWest Ombuds Group to Host Practice Issues Conversation

The group of Ombuds in the U.S. northwest and Canada's western provinces has will hold a conference call meeting on June 26, 2014.  The topic will be: "How do Ombuds advertise and communicate with our audience?" 

Job Posting: Federal Reserve System

The governing board of the US central bank is hiring a Manager Reserve Bank Services Section & Deputy Ombudsman. The position: 1. Provides oversight for the Federal Reserve Directors Program and other operations; and 2. Assists in resolving questions and complaints from supervised institutions and members of the public regarding the Federal Reserve System’s supervisory and regulatory activities.

Job Posting: Federal Highway Administration

The U.S. Department of Transportation division is hiring a Human Resources Specialist which, among other job duties, will provide "ombudsman employee relations related support services to FHWA employees." The FHWA has about 3,000 employees.  

Job Posting: U.S. Department of State

The State Department is hiring a Human Resources Specialist to work in the Office of Ombudsman, Office of the Secretary. The position "serves as a subject matter expert in conflict resolution, utilizing mediation, facilitation, conflict coaching and other Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and work is focused on providing ethical conflict resolution processes."

New Ombuds and Changes at UC San Diego

The Office of the Ombuds at UCSD has made a few changes. John Armijo, who joined the office last year has been appointed the Interim Director and Ombudsperson. Nick Raichart was hired as the Associate Ombudsperson in April 2014. Judy Bruner, the former Director became the Chief Campus Ethics and Compliance Officer, and will oversee of the Ombuds Office and Audit and Management Advisory Services.

Job Posting: Chevron

The multinational energy company is accepting applications for the position of Ombuds Manager, located in Houston, Texas. The position manages the Office of the Ombuds by providing employees with a safe, confidential resource and counseling Officers, Presidents, and line management.  Travel of about 30% is required.

Internships: United Nations, New York

The Office of the United Nations Ombudsman and Mediation Services is offering full-time, two-month, unpaid internships in its New York offices.  The positions support to UNOMS Mediation Services; help identify systemic issues; support outreach and advocacy efforts; and help preparing data and reports.

Law Would Create Ombuds for California Legislature

Crafted in response to a series of ethics violations by California State legislators, Senate Resolution 43 by Steinberg would create an Ombuds “to facilitate the receipt of information about potential ethical violations” and help the Senate protect whistle-blowers from adverse consequences. It would be just one part of a sweeping set of ethics reforms.

Comparing Ombuds and HR Roles

Dawn Sullivan, the senior staff specialist with the Rochester Institute of Technology Ombuds Office, published an article earlier this month on the differences between human resources and an Organizational Ombuds. Appearing in the NY Daily Record, the article explains that the "organizational ombudsperson and human resources are important strategic partners which do not duplicate, rather complement each other’s roles to help promote change and organizational success." (NY Daily Record.)

Job Posting: Northeast Ohio Medical University

NEOMED, the medical school in Rootstown that is affiliated with four state universities, has opened a search for its first Ombuds. The part-time position will report to the president and serve students, faculty, and staff -- a population of about 1,500. 

Job Posting: Prince George's County Public Schools

The large school district in Maryland is hiring an Ombudsman for its Transportation and Central Garage Services Department. 

CERN Ombuds Considers Effects of Connectivity

In her latest newsletter article for the European Organization for Nuclear Research, Sudeshna Datta-Cockerill urges employees and especially managers to think about the new social norm of 24/7 worldwide connectivity. She observes that, "Unspoken or implicit expectations such as these can make us feel as if being “offline” is a waste of time and unproductive." 

University of Rhode Island Appoints New Ombuds

URI has named two emeriti professors, Gerry Tyler and Al Killilea, to serve as Co-Ombuds for students and other members of the University community. The Ombud Office has been in existence since 1971 and serves a total population of about 18,000. The office moved to a new location in April. The appointments became effective February 20, 2014.

UC Irvine Announces New Ombuds

The Orange County campus of the University of California has named Shawn Hutchens as its newest Associate Ombudsman.  In her full-time position, she will join a well-established office that serves nearly 40,000 faculty, staff, undergraduate, graduate, and medical school students.   UCI Ombudsman and Director, Michael Chennault said "Shawn brings to the office the requisite education, skills, temperament, and experience to assist the campus in conflict resolution matters."

Concordia University Ombuds Publishes 2013 Annual Report

Concordia's Ombudsperson Kristen Robillard says her office handled 547 cases last year, a slight increase from 540 in 2011-12.  The number of students increased significantly, while other constituent categories declined slightly.  The report is far greater than a simple summary of case data and includes a history of the office, overview of resources, and participation in professional activities.

Task Force Recommends Broader Use of Ombuds by REALTORS

An advisory group appointed by the National Association of REALTORS to come up with long-term strategic plans has endorsed Ombuds programs for its 1,600 local associations.

Job Posting: Kaiser Permanente San Diego

KP is hiring a full-time Health Care Ombuds/Mediator in San
Diego, California. The Kaiser HCOM, "functions as a trained alternative dispute professional offering patients, family members, staff & providers a conflict management program to resolve patient/provider healthcare disputes early thereby improving patient safety & reducing the costs of health care dispute resolution."

Northern Arizona University Appoints Faculty Ombudsman

Gene Moan has been named to a three-year term as the Faculty Ombudsman at NAU. Daniel Kain, vice provost for Academic Personnel, said Moan brings a “rich counseling background and long-term experience at NAU to this important role and will be a tremendous resource for our faculty.” Moan served as the Interim Ombuds for the past year.

Job Posting: Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

The FDIC is hiring an Internal Ombudsman Specialist.  The position serves as a "neutral source for internal agency employees to raise concerns, identify options, and request assistance to informally resolve conflict and problems." The position is not part of the FDIC's external Ombuds program that serves local customers of banks taken over by the agency.

University of Miami Medical School Names New Ombuds

Norman H. Altman has been appointed to be the Ombudsperson for the University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, for a three-year term starting June 1, 2014.  He succeeds Richard Thurer, who created the Ombuds program in 2010.  Pascal J. Goldschmidt, Dean of the Miller School, said “Dr. Thurer has done an excellent job launching and building the Office of the Ombudsperson. I know that Dr. Altman will continue that tradition of excellence.”

Job Posting: National Institutes of Health

The NIH Office of the Ombudsman / Center for Cooperative Resolution in Bethesda, MD is hiring a full-time Associate Ombudsman. Working with senior Ombuds, the position provides the NIH community with confidential and informal assistance in resolving work-related conflicts, disputes and grievances. 

Grinnell College Affirms Confidentiality of Ombuds Office for Sexual Misconduct Matters

A new College webpage about support resources for individuals affected by sexual harassment, sexual violence, sexual assault, or intimate partner violence, identifies which offices are confidential. Grinnell's Ombuds Office is listed as one of on-campus the "confidential resources [that] will not share information with the College without the individual’s consent."

Cal Caucus Seeks Presenters

The 2014 Planning Group and Program Committee of the 2014 California Caucus of College and University Ombuds is soliciting proposals on any topic of significance to the practice of Ombudsing, particularly in colleges, universities, and related institutions. The Caucus is set for November 16-19, 2014 in Pacific Grove, CA.  May 10 is the target date to receive proposals. See the attached flyer for more details.

Technical Standards and Safety Authority Opens Ombuds Office

On May 1, 2014, TSSA, the non-profit organization that creates and enforces public safety rules in the province of Ontario, Canada established a new Ombudsman program. As TSSA's first Ombuds, Sandra Cooke will, "offer industry and regulated parties an independent and confidential means to engage on all types of issues, including reporting misconduct, without fear of retaliation." 

Job Posting: DC Public Schools

The public school system in Washington, DC is searching for an Assistant Ombudsman. The career appointment position pays $64,375-82,357 and applications are due May 9, 2014.  

Penn State Appoints Faculty Ombuds

The Faculty Senate at the Pennsylvania State University has appointed Pamela Hufnagel to serve as the University Faculty Ombudsperson for the next four years. She takes over from Deborah F. Atwater.

PAADS Athlete Development Summit to Feature Ombuds

Joshua Gordon and John Zinsser will speak at the Professional Association of Athlete Development Specialists annual conference on May 2, 2014 at the MLB headquarters in New York. Their program, "Evolution of Athlete Development: The Power of Ombuds in Sport" will explain how an Ombuds can help athletes, teams, and organizations. 

Profile of Apollo Education Group Ombuds

Elizabeth Hill, an Ombudsman at the Apollo Education Group in Arizona, was recently profiled in Gonzaga School of Law's alumni newsletter. "While at Gonzaga ... Hill discovered the positive impact she could have on the world, a lesson that eventually led her to an unusual career with no official power, but a huge impact on the organizations she works with."