Assistant Director - Student Conflict Resolution​/Ombuds

Assistant Director
- Student Conflict Resolution/Ombuds

Salary: $63,793.00 - $75,050.00 Annually

Job Type: FT Exempt Salaried Staff

Job Number: FY2706423

Closing: 8/28/2026 11:59 PM Mountain

Location: Main Campus
- Orem

Division: VP Student Affairs

At Utah Valley University, the Student Ombuds plays a meaningful role in supporting student success by serving as a trusted resource for students navigating challenges, resolving concerns, and strengthening communication within the university community. This position provides a unique opportunity to make a positive impact through conflict resolution, consultation, mediation, and problem-solving while helping students better understand their options and effectively address issues that affect their educational experience.

The role offers the chance to foster constructive dialogue, promote understanding, and contribute to a campus environment where students feel heard, supported, and empowered.

In addition to working directly with students, the Student Ombuds collaborates with faculty and staff to encourage creative solutions and effective communication across the university. The positions provides opportunities to shape institutional improvement through outreach initiatives, educational programming, and leadership of the Ombuds Fellowship Program. By identifying trends and recommending proactive approaches to address emerging concerns, the Student Ombuds helps strengthen university processes and enhance the overall student experience while advancing professional expertise in mediation, conflict management, and higher education leadership.

• Ombuds Consultation and Conflict Resolution Services:
  Provide confidential, neutral, independent, and informal consultation to students seeking guidance related to their university experience. Assist students in understanding university policies and procedures, exploring options, managing conflict, and navigating university resources. Provide conflict coaching, mediation, facilitated dialogue, and other alternative dispute resolution services, when appropriate, to support constructive communication and informal resolution. Listen objectively to concerns, assist individuals in identifying appropriate options, and provide referrals to campus and community resources as needed.
  
  Collaborate with Student Rights and Accountability and other university partners on educational resolution pathways, restorative practices, and initiatives that support student success while maintaining the Ombuds Office's independent and informal role.
• Program Development and Leadership:
  Oversee the development of the Ombuds Fellowship Program and other initiatives that promote communication, conflict management, and student engagement. Design and facilitate workshops, trainings, and presentations related to conflict resolution, mediation, negotiation, communication, civility, and related topics. Develop educational resources and outreach materials, maintain office communications and web content, manage the office budget, and oversee program assessment and evaluation. Monitor emerging research and best practices in Ombuds practice, conflict resolution, restorative practices, and student development.
  
  Collect, analyze, and report anonymous, aggregate data and prepare an annual report highlighting case trends, outreach efforts, and organizational observations.
• Outreach and Networking:
  Coordinate outreach and educational activities that increase awareness and accessibility of Ombuds services across the university. Consult with students, faculty, staff, and campus partners to promote creative problem-solving, effective communication, and collaborative approaches to resolving concerns. Identify emerging trends and systemic concerns through anonymous, aggregate data and use those observations to inform opportunities for continuous improvement of the student experience.
  
  Build collaborative relationships across campus and serve as a resource for fostering constructive conflict engagement and informal problem solving.
• Complete other duties required to effectively develop, assess, and manage all aspects of conflict resolution/Ombuds programs, ensuring program effectiveness, strategic planning, and expanding programming and support to meet campus community needs. Manage/mentor employee(s) and student leaders, including recruitment, onboarding, employee support, training, and providing professional growth opportunities.

• Graduation from an accredited institution with a master's degree in a related discipline or a combination of a B.S. or B.A. in a related field of study and experience totaling 6 years.
• Prior formal, basic mediation training.
• At least 3 years of experience utilizing conflict resolution and/or mediation techniques and skills with individuals and/or groups in complex and/or difficult cases.

• Master's degree in a related discipline + formal mediation training + 3 years of…