Job Posting: Lakewood University
The private, non-profit university based in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, is seeking its first full-time Student Success Ombudsman. Reporting to the Vice President of Administrations and located within the Student Services department, the Ombuds will help students navigate university processes, address complaints and grievances, and resolve concerns through communication and mediation. The full-time, in-person position emphasizes student support, complaint management, and assistance navigating institutional processes.
Applicants must have a related Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience. Preferred qualifications include experience in higher education, student advocacy, complaint resolution, or mediation training. The salary range is $45,000–$55,000 annually. No application deadline indicated. (Lakewood Jobs.)
There seems to be some benefit to organizational ombuds everywhere to find a way to distinguish between those who have broad institutional responsibility and those, like this position, that are more akin to an academic advisor, and compensated as such (not much above what a full-time custodian earns). This is not to minimize the services of student ombuds. That said, this kind of role is very different than someone who is regularly dealing with Deans, vice-presidents, provosts, and presidents. The unfortunate thing is that these advisor-like salaries get averaged into wage studies, thus dragging down the earnings potential of more strategic ombuds.
ReplyDeleteAs a University Ombuds, I do a fair amount of wayfinding for students, but this is not usually so prominent in a job posting. I also agree with you that the salary is discouraging as a data point for the profession.
DeleteNot to disagree that the salary is low. However, I would be remiss not to share that I am disappointed in the diminishing language around the field of Academic Advising from some of my peers on this blog when postings like this come up. Truthfully, it too, is a field that began really in the 1970s and has had similar issues/conversations related to value, as well as salary. Additionally, it has had a struggles with defining its role within organizations. The salary posted would actually be low for an academic advisor as well (at least one that would require the skills laid out in the posting). I would say that the salary is more of a lack of understanding of the Ombudsperson role, as well as it being at a private institution which historically pay less than public peers. If anyone would like a better understanding of the history, as well as current discourse in the field of Academic Advising on salary/value/duties, I am always happy to entertain a conversation as I have researched, published and lead in that space as well.
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