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Posted: 05-Jul-25
Location: Iowa City, Iowa
Type: Full-time
Salary: Unpaid
Categories:
Internal Number: 25004132_1751566194
The Assistant Ombudsperson serves the entire University of Iowa community-including students, faculty, staff, and members of UI Healthcare-by providing a confidential, impartial, informal, and independent resource for addressing concerns and resolving conflicts. This role ensures that individuals have access to a safe and trustworthy environment where they can seek guidance, explore options, and resolve issues without fear of retaliation or breach of confidentiality.
Acting as a neutral party, the consultant supports individuals in navigating interpersonal, academic, or workplace challenges through informal resolution strategies such as coaching, facilitated dialogue, and referrals to appropriate services. The consultant is committed to fairness, respectful communication, and ethical problem-solving, helping ensure that all members of the University community are treated justly within institutional systems.
Beyond individual support, the consultant monitors emerging trends and systemic concerns, offering insights that may inform improvements to policies, procedures, and practices. This role plays a vital part in fostering a respectful and responsive campus environment where concerns are addressed constructively and collaboratively.
There is an expectation that the person in this position will maintain effective, civil, and respectful working relationships with the University of Iowa campus community and uphold the University's commitment to creating welcoming and respectful environments for all.
This position is eligible for hybrid/remote work within Iowa and will require a work arrangement form to be completed upon the start of your employment. Per policy, work arrangements will be reviewed annually, and must comply with the and .
Key Areas of Responsibilities
Non-Clinical Programs and Development, Presentation, and Evaluation
- Provide conflict management services to students, staff, faculty while identifying and notifying administrators of trends on campus.
- Employ a wide variety of problem-solving techniques to assist visitors, including listening, helping to clarify problems, identifying and evaluating options, referral to other resources as necessary, coaching on effective conflict management, negotiation, shuttle diplomacy, 3Practice circles, and mediation, with an understanding that visitors must be consulted and grant permission before any direct action is taken. Strive to do no harm and develop a mutually satisfactory process for resolution.
- Develop and maintain an impartial perspective regarding conflicts and concerns. When possible, the ombuds will seek out alternative explanations to try to understand the perception of other parties who are involved and develop a holistic perspective on the issues.
- Bring to the attention of those in authority and if necessary, the entire University community, any concerns/issues regarding University policy, procedures, and personnel that should be addressed.
Training Education
- Conduct tailored outreach presentations for the campus community.
- Participate in ombuds outreach activities on campus, regionally and nationally.
Consultation Services
- Provide informal and confidential consultation to members of the campus community who are aggrieved or concerned about an issue.
- Remain independent and impartial, and exercise good judgement.
- Provide conflict management services to staff, students, faculty, and others by listening, offering information on university policies and processes, identifying other resources, developing options, coaching, negotiating, and mediating. Offer a safe environment to discuss any concerns or issues.
- Apply essential knowledge of, and experience with, current University policies, procedures, and personnel in resolving complaints, and assist inquirers in interpreting University policies and procedures.
Administrative Responsibilities
- Effectively collaborate with all other offices and resources on campus.
- Work effectively with all with all visitors and campus resources.
- Ensure that the integrity of the office is maintained by all ombuds office staff through independence, fair process, impartiality, confidentiality, and timely attention to the resolution of issues while treating people with dignity and respect.
- Maintain caseload data, include user demographics, and provides support for the development of the annual report.
- Makes appointments and schedules meetings.
For a complete job description, please contact Libby Kleppe at libby-kleppe@uiowa.edu
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in psychology, social work, counseling, behavioral science, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
- One year of experience in conflict management, law, ethnic studies, social science, psychology, education, social work, public administration, healthcare, alternative dispute resolution, and/or human resources in higher education, or related field.
- Demonstrates an extensive proficiency in effectively and efficiently processing a high volume of information and the ability to develop and follow consistent processes with a high level of accuracy, organization, prioritization, and timeliness.
- Proven experience in handling sensitive information with discretion, and a strong commitment to upholding confidentiality and integrity.
- Proven ability to take initiative in challenging authority when necessary, while being recognized for - active listening, sound judgment, and fair, solution-oriented problem-solving.
- Demonstrated experience utilizing communication techniques and relationship building skills that enable one to work with a variety of individuals and groups in a constructive and collaborative manner.
- Willingness to actively engage as a member of the International Ombuds Association and participate in relevant professional development opportunities.
Desirable Qualifications
- Master's degree.
- Knowledge of University administration, structure, policies, and procedures.
- Successful completion of the IOA Foundations Course.
- A minimum of 40 Hours of Basic Mediation Training.
- Training in conflict coaching and/or other alternative dispute resolution techniques
- Experience working in an Ombuds office.
Application and Position Details
- In order to be considered for an interview, applicants must upload the following documents and mark them as a "Relevant File" to the submission:
- Resume
- Cover Letter
- Job openings are posted for a minimum of 7 calendar days. This job may be removed from posting and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended. Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification. 5 professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process. For additional questions, please contact Libby Kleppe at libby-kleppe@uiowa.edu.
Benefits Highlights
- Regular salaried position. Pay level 3A. Located in Iowa City, Iowa.
- Fringe benefit package including paid vacation; sick leave; health, dental, life and disability insurance options; and generous employer contributions into retirement plans.
- For more information about Why Iowa? Click here.
The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), disability, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, service in the U.S. military, sexual orientation, gender identity, or associational preferences.
