Associate Ombudsperson

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Maryland.

📋 Description

• Act as a confidential, neutral, and impartial resource for staff, graduate and postdoctoral students, fellows, and programs.

• Oversee a portion of the Ombuds Office caseload by addressing questions, complaints, and concerns.

• Offer solutions, assist visitors in developing options, and point out relevant policies, offices, or individuals.

• Collaborate with the University Ombudsperson on complex visitor issues.

• Guide visitors through challenging conversations with supervisors, colleagues, mentors, students, fellows, and affiliates.

• Promote constructive dialogue and mediate conflicts when necessary.

• Aid visitors in understanding their options and resources regarding discrimination and harassment concerns, including formal complaint procedures.

• Create a safe space for discussing issues and exploring informal resolutions.

• Assemble relevant individuals to devise options and innovative systemic solutions.

• Monitor office activities and maintain de-identified data for annual reporting.

• Identify service gaps, policy deficiencies, and recurring issues, discussing them with the University Ombudsperson.

• Comply with the International Ombudsman Association's Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.

• Support workshops, training sessions, and educational programs focused on conflict resolution, communication, and collaborative problem-solving.

• Participate in regular meetings with the University Ombudsperson for case discussions and reflective practices.

• Engage in professional development related to higher education and ombuds practices.

• Carry out additional duties as assigned.

⛳️ Requirements

• PhD, JD, or an equivalent advanced degree in Conflict Resolution, Organizational Development, or a related discipline.

• An advanced certificate in mediation is recommended.

• A minimum of three years of pertinent experience.

• Strong preference for knowledge of higher education and research environments.

• Certification in mediation and/or completion of Ombuds Foundations Training by the International Ombudsman Association; this training may be completed upon hiring in certain cases.

• Exceptional oral and written communication abilities.

• High level of integrity, discretion, and professionalism.

• Strong organizational capabilities.

• Commitment to fairness, respect, and fostering a safe, inclusive, and non-discriminatory environment.

• Capacity to handle difficult conversations with skill, integrity, empathy, and respect.

• Proven skills and experience in facilitation, mediation, and/or conflict resolution.

• Mature judgment and sensitivity to the academic and research context.

• Successful candidates will be subject to a pre-employment background check.

• Faculty, staff, and students must receive the seasonal flu vaccine, subject to specified exceptions.

🏝️ Benefits

• Remote work arrangement.

• Flexible Monday–Friday schedule from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm.

• Travel to JHU campuses as required.

• Comprehensive rewards package supporting health, life, career, and retirement.

• Opportunities for professional development activities.

• Seasonal flu vaccine available.

• Potential vaccination requirements covered at no cost through Occupational Health.

• Equal opportunity employment.

• Workplace accommodations and accessibility support.

• Pre-employment background check process that evaluates justice-involved backgrounds on an individual basis.