Student Ombudsperson

Student Ombudsperson

Kent Campus - Kent, OH

$86,249 - $103,148

Assist students with resolving university-related concerns, complaints, and grievances. Interpret policies and procedures for students and other members of the University community. Reports to Senior Vice President for Student Life.

Not applicable.

• Provide assistance in resolving student-related university concerns, complaints, and grievances through interpretation of university policies and procedures and the utilization of formal and informal resolution strategies for current, former, or potential students.
• Keep abreast of changes to university policies and procedures; review and recommend policy and procedure changes when appropriate.
• Serve as a mediation resource and consultant to faculty, staff, and administrators working through challenging student-related conflicts; assess situations, recommend appropriate resolution strategies, and when appropriate, facilitate or coordinate mediation involving students.
• Facilitate impartial, confidential mediation and conflict-resolution processes between enrolled students, helping participants identify concerns, clarify interests, communicate effectively, and develop mutually acceptable resolutions to disputes.
• Market the services of the Office of the Student Ombuds through presentations and outreach programs.
• Respond to, advise, and otherwise consult with all levels of university academic and administrative personnel, including but not limited to the President, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, college/school/regional campus deans and associate/assistant deans, academic department chairpersons, unit directors/associate directors, and individual faculty members.
• Apply acquired expertise and judgment to a wide range of academic and non-academic institutional policies, regulations, and issues that directly impact students, including student conduct, academic progress, due process, grade grievances, financial aid, campus safety, registration, student Bursar’s accounts, and catalog interpretation.
• Develop and support the implementation of specific informal and formal strategies designed to assist students in the resolution of university-related concerns and issues.
• Guide, manage, and collaborate on situations and issues, often of high significance and sensitivity, to effective resolution.
• Serve on the Care Team for students of concern; serve on other university committees consistent with the scope of this position.
• Track and report student, faculty, and staff usage of office as a resource and the outcome of complaints for assessment purposes.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Not applicable.

Master’s degree in higher education or a relevant field. Seven years of experience in higher education.

None.

• Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
• University policies, procedures, and resources
• University organizational structure and academic governance
• Conflict resolution and mediation techniques

• Student-centered customer service
• Proven written, verbal, and interpersonal communication
• Managing multiple issues, projects, and assignments *
• Basic helping skills, including recognition of behavioral distress signals *
• Handling sensitive and personal information *
• Partnership-building with students, faculty, staff, parents/families, and the community *
• Evaluating, interpreting, and applying complex requirements and policies of both academic and non-academic nature *
• Tactfully and effectively…