Ombudsman

About the role

The Sheriff’s Office is seeking a highly qualified candidate to serve as an Ombudsman supporting the organization’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and community trust.

Responsibilities

• Serve as neutral point of contact between incarcerated individuals, their families, community members, and Sheriff’s Office custody staff to improve communication and understanding of jail operations.
• Receive, document, and review concerns, complaints, and inquiries from incarcerated individuals, their families, jail staff, and community members regarding jail operations and conditions of confinement.
• Develop and refine grievance processes and responses to ensure consistency, fairness, and compliance with state and national best practices.
• Prepare clear, objective reports summarizing findings, policy analysis, and recommendations for Sheriff’s Office leadership.
• Keep up to date on events in the community directly applicable to Corrections.
• Participate in the development of goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and priorities within the specialized service of corrections.
• Prepare cost estimates and justifications for budget recommendations; monitor and control expenditures to ensure the accomplishment of objectives within the corrections budget.
• Prioritize maintaining effective working relationships with a variety of public, private, and non-profit organizations, including staff in other County departments and agencies working in corrections settings.
• Answer questions and provide information to the public; supervise the enforcement of applicable standards, codes and regulations, as required.
• Investigate the sources of outside funds, prepare and submit grant applications and administer secured funds.
• Provide staff assistance to higher-level management on program or service issues.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to prepare and present clear, concise, and objective reports and recommendations.
• Ability to remain neutral, independent, and solution-oriented when addressing concerns or resolving disputes.
• Strong commitment to ethics, integrity, transparency, accountability, and fairness in all aspects of the position.
• Experience collaborating with community organizations, advocacy groups, and local stakeholders to strengthen partnerships.
• Demonstrated experience interpreting, applying, and evaluating policies, procedures, or regulatory frameworks in a law enforcement, public sector, or community-based environment.
• A bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, Public Administration, Communications, or a related field.