Job Posting: University of California San Francisco

The UCSF Office of the Ombuds is seeking experienced applicants for a full-time Associate Ombuds job. This position will join a four-person collaborative team and provide Ombuds, mediation, group facilitation, and training to faculty, staff, students, and trainees at the premier academic healthcare institution. 

Oberlin College has a New Ombuds

Late last year, Kimberly Jackson Davidson became the Director of the Yeworkwha Belachew Center for Dialogue and Ombudsperson for Oberlin. She had previously served as the position on an interim basis when the founding Ombuds, Yeworkwha Belachew, retired due to health issues. Previously, Davidson was an Associate Dean of Students.

Navajo Technical University Debuts Ombuds Program

The tribally controlled land grant university in Crownpoint, New Mexico has opened an Ombuds for administrators, faculty, and staff (but not the 2,000 students). Anne Seagrave Fullerton is the program administrator and she is assisted by Reese Fullerton, Kathy Isaacson, and other individuals as needed. Future plans include the integration of the Navajo Peacemaker Court services and training. 

Internship: United Nations Funds and Programmes

The Office of the Ombudsman for United Nations Funds and Programmes is accepting applications for an unpaid internship in its New York headquarters. The position is full-time and will last four to six months. Duties will depend include supporting the office's mediation training, and outreach and advocacy.

Job Posting: University of Ottawa

The bilingual public university in Ontario is hiring an Ombudsperson, to lead an office that serves the entire campus, including nearly 42,000 students. The uOttawa Ombuds is not a university employee of the University nor affiliated with any student associations. The Office of the Ombudsperson is funded jointly by the student associations and the University.  The position has been held by Lucie Allaire since 2010.  

Job Posting: UC Davis

The University of California Davis is hiring two full-time Associate Ombuds.  One will replace an employee who recently left, Lisa Brodkey, and the other position will be designated primarily to the UC Davis Medical Center.  Both will report to the Campus Ombuds, Katherine Greenwood. 

Job Posting: University of Oregon

UO has opened a search for an Assistant Ombuds and Director of Conflict Resolution Services. The full-time position will provide Ombuds services, primarily to students, and direct a conflict resolution program. This position works under the direction and supervision of the University Ombudsperson, Brett Harris, with dotted line reporting to the Office of the Dean of Students. When filled, the position will increase the size of the Ombuds Office and move the student conflict resolution program away from the Dean of Students office.

Job Posting: National Lawyers Guild

The progressive public interest association is hiring its first Ombudsperson for a two-year appointment. According to an internal announcement, "The National Lawyers Guild has recently decided to appoint an Ombudsperson to assist the organization with managing complaints and unresolved conflict that arises in Guild spaces." Although the NLG Ombuds is independent, neutral, and confidential, it is designated as an agent for notice and has a contractual duty to notify leadership of complaints within five days.

The New School Names Ombuds

The private university in New York City has appointed Ann-Louise Shapiro as its next Faculty and Staff Ombuds. Shapiro has been a professor at The New School's Lang College and also served as dean. Previously, she was a professor at Wesleyan University where she taught social research. She is a specialist in the social and cultural history of modern Paris. 

Wheelock College Opens Ombuds Office

The small, private, liberal arts college in Boston has appointed Eliane Markoff as its first Ombudsperson.  Markoff provides services to all members of the Wheelock College community, including about 1,200 students.

IOA Ombuds Training Returns to San Diego

The International Ombudsman Association will offer three training programs for Organizational Ombuds in San Diego, CA in July 2017.  The offerings are aimed at aspiring and novice Ombuds.

Registration Opens for Fifth Annual FCO/Osgoode Ombuds Certificate Program

The Forum of Canadian Ombudsman and Osgoode Professional Development (of Osgoode Hall Law School, York University) will offer their certificate program, Essentials for Ombuds, September 25-29, 2017 in downtown Toronto. 

Job Posting: Beacon Health Options, Florida

The managed behavioral health organization is hiring an Ombudsperson to provide confidential, neutral assistance to members from its office in Miami. "The Ombudsperson advocates for fairness, serves as a source of information and support, acts as a liaison among stakeholders, and supports risk management for Beacon." The duties are primarily those of an Organizational Ombuds, but also incorporate some duties that are similar to those of a Classical Healthcare Ombuds. 

Internship: New Jersey Courts

The New Jersey Judiciary Ombudsman Program is seeking an unpaid intern for a one-semester commitment. Interns will assist the Ombuds explaining how to complete court forms and explaining court procedures, referring court users to services and resources, and helping litigants utilize with various Family Court matters, Landlord/Tenant issues, Small Claims matters and/or criminal expungements. The position is open only to students. (GovernmentJobs; NJ Courts Ombuds.)

Montgomery College Ombuds Starts Bi-monthly Column

Montgomery College's Ombuds, Julie Schwartz Weber, has started a regular column in the campus newsletter.  She aims to provide conflict resolution and Ombuds information, and will respond to reader suggestions. The first column focuses on the parameters of her confidentiality (which follow IOA standards). (Inside MC.)

Job Posting: Utah Valley University

The public university in Orem is hiring a full-time Ombudsperson. The position will serve as the Ombuds for the campus community, including about 33,000 students.  Previously, the position was part-time and served only students.  Maren Turnidge has been the UVU Ombuds since 2013.  

Task Force Report Moves Syracuse University Closer to Implementing Ombuds Office

Last week a task force appointed by the Syracuse University Chancellor on Friday released a report making 18 recommendations to improve campus diversity and inclusion.  One recommendation called for the implementation of an IOA-compliance Ombuds program:

Job Posting: United Nations, Uganda

The United Nations Ombudsman and Mediation Services is hiring a temporary Conflict Resolution Officer in Entebbe.  The position will provide Ombuds and conflict resolution services to UN staff in the region including UNMISS, UNAMID, UNISFA, and RSCE. (The posting does not state the duration of the appointment.)

Job Posting (Request for Proposals): UN Development Programme

The United Nations' global development network seeks proposals for Conflict Resolution On-Call Expert.  The position reports to the Office of the Ombudsman for UN Funds and Programmes and provides Ombuds and dispute resolution services to staff members and non-staff personnel of the UN Funds and Programmes (including UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF, UNOPS and UN Women).  The contract position is "home based" for for up to three years and starts June 15, 2017.  Some travel is required.

Job Posting: Rogers Bank

The Canadian financial services company and wholly-owned subsidiary of Rogers Communications is hiring a Deputy Ombudsperson for a 12-month maternity leave coverage. Reporting to Rogers Ombudsperson, the position works with customers and regulators, and "ensures that the integrity of the office is maintained through independence, fair process, neutrality, impartiality, confidentiality and timely attention to resolution of issues." 

Wake Tech Ombuds Posts an Introductory Video

Wake Technical Community College's new Ombuds, Jerry Nuesell, recently wandered the campus with a video crew to ask students if they knew what he does.  The short piece is humorous and engaging and includes a good overview of the Ombuds Office.  (YouTube.)

Job Posting: South Carolina Department of Education

The state education agency is hiring an Education Associate (Ombudsman) to work with parents of students with disabilities and school districts and other state agencies. According to the SCDE Ombuds website, each case is handled, "with confidentiality, neutrality, informality, and independence." (Wanda Davis established the position last spring.) The position is located in the Office of Special Education Services in Columbia, SC.

Organization of News Ombudsmen Sets 2017 Conference in Chennai

The international non-profit organization for News Ombuds and Readers' Representatives will hold its annual conference in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India October 22-25, 2017. David Levy, Director of the Reuters Institute for the study of Journalism at Oxford will offer a keynote on public trust in the media.  (ONO Conf Info.)

Job Posting: Metropolitan State University

The public university in downtown Denver has opened a search for an Ombuds Officer.  The position reports administratively to the Associate to the President for Diversity and practices to IOA standards. The MSU Ombuds serves faculty, staff, administrators, student-employees and external stakeholders. 

Halliburton Adds an Ombuds

Becky Killgore has joined the Halliburton Dispute Resolution Program as a Corporate Ombudsman.  Previously, she was an Ombuds/Conflict Coach at Texas Tech University for six years.  She is also a graduate of Texas Tech. (LinkedIn.)

Caseload Manager Adds IOA Database Categories

The commercial case management system for ADR programs has added IOA reporting categories to increase the utility for Ombuds offices.  Caseload Manager says that it is used by over 140 ADR programs, including the Ombuds offices at ICANN and South Texas College.  The cost for Caseload Manager is $1,750 for multiple users, plus a monthly or annual subscription that depends on the number of new cases.   (Caseload Manager for Ombuds.)

UC Merced Hires Assistant Ombuds

The University of California Merced has hired Henok Elias as its an Assistant Ombudsperson. Elias was previously the Ombuds at the University of North Dakota and he joins Callale Concon and serves a fast-growing campus.  (UCM Ombuds.)

University of Texas Medical Branch Names Faculty Ombuds

The academic health center in Galveston has appointed Cary W. Cooper as its next Faculty Ombudsperson.  Cooper is an Adjunct Faculty member, having retired in 2013 as Vice President and Dean of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.  As Ombuds, he will work with faculty on a part-time basis.

Mars Inc. Adds an Ombuds

The global foods conglomerate has named Debby Hyde to its Ombuds Office. Hyde has been VP of Personnel & Organization in Mars' Chicago office for the past seven years.  Her experience includes nearly two decades in HR with Mars' subsidiary and gum maker, Wrigley, in the UK, Hong Kong, and Germany. (LinkedIn.)

Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada Calls for National Athlete Ombuds

The federally chartered and funded not-for-profit has called for the creation of an Ombuds program for amateur sports in Canada. The report, "Closing the Loop - A Proposal for a Sport Ombuds in Canada," is based on a nationwide survey, focus group discussions, and individual consultations with hundreds of athletes, coaches, volunteers, parents, officials and staff members.  

UTC Selects New Ombuds

United Technologies Corporation has named Lois Petzold as its Corporate Ombudsman.  She was previously the Ombuds for the International Monetary Fund and served on the IOA Board.  She joins Steve Cordery, Debra Kelsey, and Lily Xu.

Registration Opens for 2017 Summer Academic Ombuds Meeting

Michigan State University is set to host the 15th Annual Summer Academic Ombuds Meeting June 26-27 at Michigan State University. "The Summer Meeting provides an opportunity for academic ombuds to become better acquainted, to share concerns unique to our professional environments, and to support and learn from each other’s experiences in a relatively-intimate, informal setting." The conference is preceded by a workshop for new academic Ombuds.

Michigan Caucus of Educational Ombuds Convenes at MSU

The Michigan State University Office of the Ombudsperson (Robert Caldwell and Shannon Burton) will host the third annual meeting of higher education Ombuds on Monday, June 26, 2017.   Here's the agenda:

Job Posting: Law Society of British Columbia

The Law Society of British Columbia’s Practice Advice department is seeking a Staff Lawyer in a combined Practice Advisor/Equity Ombudsperson role. The Ombuds work provides confidential advice, information and assistance to lawyers, staff and students on issues of discrimination or harassment in the context of the practice of law, including developing related practice support resource materials. The full-time, permanent position is based in Vancouver. 

IOA Hosts Two Scholarship Winners at 2017 Conference

The International Ombudsman Association selected two recipients to to receive financial support to attend IOA's 12th Annual Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota last week: Kouame Noel Adjoumani and Elizabeth Hodges.  The scholarships are intended to support introductory IOA training and recognize individuals who mmay be instrumental in the advancement of the organizational ombudsman profession outside of the United States and Canada. 

Suffolk University Ombuds Recommendation on Hold

As the private university in Boston continues its search for a new president, plans for a new Ombuds Office have been put on hold.  Over a year ago, a diversity task force made several recommendations including the appointment of the first Ombuds.  Committee members have acknowledged that the decision is ultimately up to the next president. However, the presidential search process has only just begun.  (Suffolk Journal.)