Job Posting: Federal Reserve System

The governing board of the U.S. central bank is hiring an Assistant Ombuds in Washington, DC. This Executive Ombuds position: acts as facilitator for the fair and timely resolution of complaints related to the System’s regulatory activities; receives, reviews, and decides claims of retaliatory conduct by System staff; and reports to Board members and senior Board staff on issues that may have a significant impact on the System’s mission, activities, or reputation, including patterns of issues that occur in multiple complaints. In addition, there are collateral administrative duties. This is a hybrid position, with on-site cadence of about six times per month.

Job Posting (RFP): Connecticut Energy Efficiency Board

The Connecticut Energy Efficiency Board (EEB), working with the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, has issued a Request for Proposals for an independent Contractor Ombudsperson to support residential energy efficiency program contractors statewide. The engagement will cover an initial three-year term beginning January 2027, with the first year as a pilot period. Responsibilities include establishing a Charter, developing communication frameworks, tracking and synthesizing contractor concerns, and providing regular updates to the EEB on trends and systemic issues. The role is expected to require approximately 25–40 hours per month. 

Job Posting: State Bar of California

California's attorney licensing agency (the largest in the U.S.) is hiring a Public Trust Liaison. It is not clear whether the search will replace Enrique Zuniga, who established the role in 2023. The job is essentially an External Ombuds and provides the primary point of contact for external stakeholders with feedback or suggestions about the State Bar. In addition, the Public Trust Liaison develops education programs and tools to assist the public with complaints. The Liaison is not involved in attorney disciplinary cases. The job allows for up to four remote days a week.

Skydance to Replace Paramount's DEI Programs with Ombuds

Earlier this month, Skydance Media and Paramount Global announced a merger forming a new entity known as "Paramount Skydance Corporation." Facing regulatory scrutiny, Skydance promised the Federal Communications Commission that it would disband Diversity Equity & Inclusion programs and appoint an Ombudsman to review “complaints of bias” at Paramount's CBS News for at least two years. Details are scant and it is not clear whether the new Ombuds program would be similar to a traditional News Ombudsman or an Organizational Ombuds. (NBC News; Forbes; Reuters.)

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: U.S. Department of Labor

The U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs is hiring an Associate Ombudsperson. According to a recent presentation the OWCP Ombuds serves "as an independent, impartial and confidential resource that receives and helps to resolve inquiries and concerns from OWCP claimants and other external interested parties." The full-time position reports to OWCP Ombudsperson Shalonda Cawthon and will be based in a DOL office (Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Jacksonville, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Lakewood, Long Beach, New Orleans, New York, Norfolk, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington, D.C.). 

Job Posting: Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers

ICANN, the nonprofit organization responsible for coordinating the maintenance and procedures of several databases that undergird the Internet, is seeking its next Ombuds. (Herb Waye served in the role from July 2016 until earlier this year and Krista Papac was appointed as the Interim Ombuds on October 1, 2023.) The position reports directly to the ICANN board and generally follows IOA standards. However, in some cases, the Ombuds may initiate a formal investigation and make formal recommendations. Travel to international conferences and meetings is required.

Job Posting: World Wildlife Fund

The global conservation network is hiring its next Ombudsperson. It appears that search will fill a position established by Gina Barbieri in 2021. The position reports to the WWF Director General and International Board, and serves internal and external stakeholders. In addition, the position will manage the office and administer staff. The position will be based in Switzerland, the UK, or Netherlands.

Job Posting: Financial Industry Regulatory Authority

The non-governmental organization that regulates member brokerage firms and exchange markets in the U.S., is hiring an Associate Director, Ombudsman. (This is an External Ombuds job that shares many characteristics with an Organizational Ombuds.) The full-time position reports to the FINRA Ombudsman, Sarah Gill, and can be based in one of 16 U.S. cities. In addition to managing conflicts and complaints, the position works with senior management and represents the office at industry events.

FDIC's External Ombuds Posts 2022 Report

M. Anthony Lowe, the Ombudsman for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation has released a report covering the work of his office in 2022. (The FDIC Office of the Ombudsman is an "independent, neutral, and confidential resource and liaison for the banking industry and general public to facilitate the resolution of problems and complaints against the FDIC in a fair, impartial, and timely manner." There is a separate Internal Ombuds for employee concerns.)

State Bar of California Appoints First External Ombuds

Enrique Zuniga has been named the Cal Bar's first Public Trust Liaison. The new Ombuds-like position will will serve as the primary point of contact for external stakeholders with feedback or suggestions, which includes developing public education programs and tools to assist the public with complaints. Communications with the Public Trust Liaison will be generally confidential. Zuniga also will be responsible for making annual reports with recommendations for systemic improvements in the state's attorney discipline system.

Job Posting: Federal Reserve System

The governing board of the U.S. central bank is hiring an Assistant Ombuds in Washington, DC. This Executive Ombuds position: acts as facilitator for the fair and timely resolution of complaints related to the System’s regulatory activities; receives, reviews, and decides claims of retaliatory conduct by System staff; and reports to Board members and senior Board staff on issues that may have a significant impact on the System’s mission, activities, or reputation, including patterns of issues that occur in multiple complaints. In addition, there are collateral administrative duties. This is a hybrid position, with on-site cadence of about six times per month. 

California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation Creates Ombuds Office

In June, the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation created the Office of the Ombuds for internal and external stakeholders. The new DFPI Ombuds serves "as an independent, impartial, and confidential resource to ensure complaints about DFPI staff or actions receive full and impartial review." Although informality is not listed as a primary ethical standard for the office, the DFPI Ombuds does not participate in formal investigations or any formal resolution process, or make binding decisions or mandate policies. 

Job Posting: Financial Industry Regulatory Authority

The non-governmental organization that regulates member brokerage firms and exchange markets in the U.S., is hiring an Associate Principal Analyst Ombudsman. The full-time position handles external and internal inquiries, and practices to IOA standards. (A search is also underway for the next VP and Director of the FINRA Office of the Ombudsman.) The job is based in Rockville, MD and some travel is required.

FDA Office of Regulatory Affairs Ombuds Releases 2020 Report

Erica Katherine, the Ombudsman for FDA's Office of Regulatory Affairs, says that the annual report from her office reflects the unique challenges as the nation navigated through a global pandemic and a period of social change in 2020. The ORA Ombudsman engages with FDA’s external partners (including industry, other governmental agencies and consumers) and works to improve communications between employees and stakeholders while practicing to IOA standards. In 2020, Katherine's office reviewed and responded to 318 inquiries, a 16% increase from the prior year and the third straight annual increase. 

Joomla Considers IOA Standards for Ombuds Program

The oversight board for the open-source content management system is looking at changes to its two-year old Executive Ombuds program. Minutes from recent board meetings reveal that directors are considering IOA standards for the Ombuds position, currently held by Jennifer Gress. 

Job Posting: Federal Reserve System

The governing board of the U.S. central bank is hiring an Assistant Ombudsman. The Executive Ombuds position 1) acts as facilitator for the fair and timely resolution of complaints related to the System’s regulatory activities; 2) receives, reviews, and decides claims of retaliatory conduct by System staff; and 3) reports to Board members and senior Board staff on issues that may have a significant impact on the System’s mission, activities, or reputation, including patterns of issues that occur in multiple complaints. In addition, there are collateral administrative duties.

Ombuds Day 2019 Gathers Momentum

The American Bar Association’s Dispute Resolution Section Ombuds Committee has a number of exciting updates for the next Ombuds Day. Set for Thursday, October 10, 2019,  the second annual celebration of the Ombuds profession will be marked by several events. Already planned are events in Washington, D.C. and Chicago at the ABA headquarters, in Boulder, CO at the University of Colorado School of Law.

Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs Names First Ombuds

Marcus Stergio will be the new Ombudsman for OFCCP, the U.S. Department of Labor office that ensures Federal contractors comply with the laws and regulations requiring nondiscrimination. “The Ombudsman fits squarely within the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs’ broader initiative to improve transparency in our compliance evaluation and compliance assistance activities,” said OFCCP Director Craig E. Leen. “The Ombudsman will provide an independent perspective and facilitate communication between external stakeholders and OFCCP regional and district offices.”

ABA 2019 Dispute Resolution Conference to Include Ombuds Panel

The American Bar Association's Section of Dispute Resolution Annual Spring Conference will feature a panel session about all types of Ombuds organized and moderated by Liz Hill, Associate Director University of Colorado Boulder Ombuds Office. The conference takes place April 10-13, 2019 at the Hyatt Regency in Minneapolis, MN. The full agenda is still being developed and additional Ombuds-relevant events may be added.