Assistant Ombuds

About the role

The University Ombuds Office is seeking an Assistant Ombuds who will act as a conflict resolution practitioner providing assistance to students, staff, and faculty for their Cornell-related concerns, conflicts, and issues.

Responsibilities

• Engage in active listening to discuss community members’ concerns.
• Provide answers to visitors’ questions or find the person who can provide answers and open avenues of communication.
• Identify and explain relevant University policies and protocols.
• Provide coaching on effective conflict management.
• Provide visitors with information on how to make the University aware of a particular problem.
• Recognize situations and issues that pose legal liability to the University and eliminate or reduce liability by, for example, ensuring visitors are aware of all reporting options.
• Provide referrals to other University or community resources and support services.
• Participate in resource fairs.
• Update Ombuds Office website.
• Update and distribute brochures and other outreach materials.
• Develop and conduct presentations about Ombuds Office.
• Develop and conduct training on conflict management.
• Promote and model University values and mission.
• Help identify gaps and inadequacies in University policies and procedures and assist in making recommendations for improvements.
• Aid in the development and management of campus-wide Conflict Management System.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree and at least 5 to 7 years’ experience in the field of conflict resolution/mediation/negotiation or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience required.
• Demonstrated conflict resolution skills, exceptional listening and interviewing skills, ability to identify the significant, relevant issues in a visitor concern, ability to work with sensitive issues, ability to exercise sound judgment under pressure, and ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities, and strong written and oral communication skills.
• Experience working with subtle and complex institutional political dynamics.
• Strong background of sensitivity to issues of access and community belonging.

Qualifications

• An understanding of University policies and protocols, structures and operation, plans and priorities.
• An understanding of the implied fluidity of this structure in a growing and changing University.
• A Master’s degree in conflict resolution or related field.
• Subject matter expertise in access and community belonging.

Skills

• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters with discretion.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Knowledge of conflict resolution theories and techniques.

Benefits

Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, sustainability, and diversity initiatives. The position is covered under the ENDOWED benefits program. Our benefits programs include comprehensive health care options, generous retirement contributions, access to wellness programs, and employee discounts with local and national retail brands. We invite you to follow this link to get more information about our benefits: Understand Your Benefits | Working at Cornell.

Pay

The actual offer will be based on the candidate’s skills and experience. The hiring budget for this position is between $91,810 - $96,000. The position is covered under the ENDOWED benefits program. Our benefits programs include comprehensive health care options, generous retirement contributions, access to wellness programs, and employee discounts with local and national retail brands. We invite you to follow this link to get more information about our benefits: Understand Your Benefits | Working at Cornell.

Schedule

This is a full time, 40 hour/week, on campus position (within commuting distance from Ithaca, NY). Some hybrid activities are possible, but the Assistant Ombuds will be expected to be on campus regularly and frequently.

Benefits

To offer greater flexibility for observing faiths and traditions we also offer two additional floating holidays. Learn more about our generous leave provisions: Holiday and Accrued Time Off | Working at Cornell. Cornell's impressive educational benefits include tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program, tuition aid for external education, and Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance Program. Learn more about our extensive educational benefits: Education Benefits | Working at Cornell.

Contact Information

To apply, please visit Apply Here. For general questions about the position or the application process, please contact the Recruiter listed in the job posting or email mycareer@cornell.edu.