Ombudsperson

Location : Berea
Job Type: Full-Time
Division: President
Department: President's Office
Opening Date: 11/07/2025
FLSA: Exempt
Salary Grade: 11
Labor Supervisor?: No

Please note that references provided at the time of application for staff positions will not be contacted until the applicant has been offered the position.
Description:

The Ombudsperson will provide impartial, informal, independent, and confidential conflict resolution services to all faculty and staff. The successful candidate will mediate and facilitate dialogue, identify trends, and provide recommendations for systemic change. This full-time staff position operates in accordance with the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice of the International Ombud Association (IOA).
Your Key Responsibilities:

• Guide, advise, and collaborate with individual faculty and staff experiencing conflict.
• Counsel constituents in the navigation and utilization of existing conflict resolution resources.
• Bring systemic concerns to the attention of institutional leadership for resolution.
• Operate in a manner that preserves the confidentiality of those seeking services.
• Maintain a neutral and impartial position with respect to the concerns raised.
• Work at an informal level of the organizational system, independent of form units such as HR, Title VII/IX, and General Counsel.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships across all levels of administration, including collaboration with formal unites to provide referrals and support campus-wide initiatives.
• Engage and inform the campus community about the role and services of the Ombud.
• Provide an appropriate measure of transparency to the Ombuds function.

What You'll Bring:

Education required to ensure success in this position:

• A terminal degree in a field that demonstrates ability to work with diverse backgrounds, address conflict resolution, problem solving, and analytical ability required.

Experience required to ensure success in this position:

• 5-7 years of Ombuds experience, with a record of successful conflict resolution preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of dispute resolution experience.
• Demonstrated experience facilitating communication between parties ("shuttle diplomacy").

Special skills, knowledge and abilities:

• Knowledge of higher education, including unique working environment of a small, liberal arts institution
• Knowledge and application of International Ombuds Associate Ethical Code and Standards of Practice
• Decision-making and problem solving within higher education environment (or equivalent public or private sector including shared governance models) is preferred
• Experience working with people of diverse backgrounds, cultures, and status
• Strong skills in conflict resolution and alternative dispute resolution
• Ability to gain and maintain trust at all organizational levels
• Ability to engage in high level of consulting, problem-solving, and collaborative activities
• Excellent communication and written skills
• Excellent judgement and discretion
• Ability to create and deliver educational workshops tailored to unique constituent groups

License, certification, or registration necessary:

• International Ombudsman Association (IOA) certification preferred

Physical requirements:

• Ability to navigate campus/public buildings and grounds

Environmental conditions;

• Professional office environment with interruptions and noise due to frequent visitors, students, staff and faculty

Ability to operate the following vehicles or equipment:

• Standard office equipment: computer, phone, etc.

Founded in 1855, Berea College is nationally recognized as the first coeducational and interracial college in the South. Berea has a longstanding commitment to interracial education and is one of the most racially diverse private liberal arts colleges in the United States. With an emphasis on service to Appalachia and beyond, Berea enrolls more than 1,500 students from 46 states and U.S. territories and more than 70 countries.

Berea College admits students who are unable to afford tuition and provides all of them with a no-tuition promise. Berea's students excel in the College's supportive yet demanding academic environment, and most are the first in their families to attend college. As one of only ten federally recognized Work Colleges, all Berea students are expected to work 10-12 hours weekly in various positions across campus.

Berea College is also the only institution in Kentucky to receive the 5-Star Rating from Money Magazine, 2025. Washington Monthly has named Berea College the #1 Best College in the nation in its 2025 College Guide. Berea College appears in their rankings as #1 College (overall):
Best College for your Tuition (and Tax) Dollars, #1 Best-in Class College, #1 Liberal Arts College and #1 Best Bang for the Buck Southern College.

Located where the Bluegrass Region meets the Cumberland Mountains, the town of Berea (pop. 16,000) lies forty miles south of Lexington and is approximately two hours from Cincinnati, Louisville, and Knoxville. More information about Berea…