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Assistant Director - Conflict Resolution/Ombudsman
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Position Number: 4830211
Location: Orem, UT
Position Type: Business - Management

Assistant Director - Conflict Resolution/Ombudsman

Salary: $48,459.00 - $64,693.00 Annually
Job Type: FT Exempt Salaried Staff
Job Number: FY2401905
Closing: 1/5/2024 11:59 PM Mountain
Location: 800 W University Parkway, Orem
Division: Student Dev/Well-Being/Dean Student

Position Announcement

Who we are

Utah Valley University is the largest, regional public institution in Orem, UT (approx. 40 minutes south of Salt Lake), serving a dual mission as a community college and four-year institution. UVU is an open enrollment university emphasizing there's a place for everyone no matter the students' background.

Who you'll work with

The Assistant Director- Conflict Resolution/Ombuds is housed organizationally in the Student Rights & Accountability (SRA) department, alongside a team of collaborative student affairs professionals. SRA serves the campus community by helping students grow from adversity and providing exceptional care. We act as thought-partners and problem-solvers with university members to have maximum impact. The department values diversity and invites the Assistant Director to bring their full self to their work at UVU.

What you'll focus on

Expand conflict resolution programing. It is our intention to grow the program to enhance the reach of our services. This will require someone who can think outside the box to deliver results.
Work collaboratively with a variety campus services to find solutions, and also independently and with initiative to implement those solutions.
Demonstrate a high level of emotional intelligence while working with diverse populations sensitive issues.
Bring parties together while balancing complex and sometimes competing interests. Build relationships and rapport with faculty and administrators.
Be passionate about teaching and coaching college students through tough situations; and, hopefully, instill life-long communications skills.
Present ideas, trends, and trainings to campus stakeholders. This will entail presentations to campus groups and annual reports.

Summary of Responsibilities

Provides conflict resolution services to members of the campus community, serving as a neutral, informal, and confidential mediator, as opposed to an advocate. Listens objectively to campus community members conflicts/disputes, assists them in finding useful resolution options based on an initial assessment of the complaint, including within campus policies and procedures. Provides appropriate referrals to additional members of the campus community as needed. Works collaboratively with the Student Rights and Accountability team on informal and ADR pathway cases and restorative justice projects with campuswide impact.
Acts as a proactive and preventative liaison between individuals or groups and the campus administrative structure, serving as a communicator or informal facilitator, as appropriate, to provides upward feedback and guidance regarding systematic issues and conflict trends. Consults with appropriate campus entities to develop cooperative strategies for resolving concerns and complaints. Also, conducts informal fact-finding, when appropriate, in order to better understand an issue from multiple perspectives and provide accurate, upward feedback. Provides early warning of new areas of organizational concern and recommends policy/procedure improvement to appropriate stakeholders. Track and analyze data and provide ongoing feedback to administration. Compile an annual report with case data and trend overview. Tracks, analyzes, and manages confidential and aggregate data. Compiles an annual report with case data and trend overview,
Coordinates outreach, networking, and educational activities which can include facilitating training or presentations, attending events, and ensuring the campus community knows about Ombuds services. Designs and conducts training and workshops for the campus community in conflict resolution, negotiation and communication skills, civility, and related topics. Procuring promotional and training materials, maintaining web content. Conducts research and development of department projects related to programming, service offerings, and best practices; and actively engages in professional development to stay abreast of industry standards.
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. Managing employee(s) and student leaders, (conflict resolution/Ombuds specialists), including recruitment, on-boarding, employee support, training, and providing professional growth opportunities.

Minimum Qualifications

Graduation from an accredited institution with a master's degree in a related discipline or a combination of education 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.
Expert ability in designing and facilitating classes, workshops, or training related to communication or conflict management.
Expert knowledge of the appropriate role of the Ombuds including International Ombuds Association's standards of practice and alternative dispute resolution theories, principles, practices, and techniques.
Expert interpersonal communication and problem-solving skills to work effectively with a diverse population of faculty, staff, and students, including a demonstrated ability to have tact and be multi-partial with sensitivity around a variety of issues including diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

Completion of the International Ombuds Association (IOA) "Foundations of Organizational Ombuds Practice" training or a 40-hour mediation course or a Certified Organizational Ombuds Practitioner.
Three or more years of experience as an ombuds or in a related dispute resolution field managing cases with the highest degree of complexity and political sensitivity.
Professional experience in or working with students in higher education settings.
Training in ADR and Restorative Justice models.
Experience researching, gathering, and analyzing data regarding trends, practices, policies, procedures, and campus climate issues.
Thorough understanding of university mission, vision, goals, objectives, resources, infrastructure, policies, procedures, and practices and understanding of applicable employment and academic laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures, research methods, techniques, and/or sources of information.

Knowledge, Skill, and Abilities
Knowledge

Knowledge of the university, its structure, culture, policies, and practices.
Knowledge of the nature of conflict, and basic mediation and negotiation best practices, and other conflict resolution/restorative justice methods.
Knowledge of how decisions might impact individuals, as well as other stakeholders and the university/college.
Knowledge and sensitivity toward Diversity Issues.
The Ombuds must be sensitive to dealing with individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds and cultures.
The Ombuds must be open, objective, and must seek to understand issues from multiple perspectives.
The Ombuds should be innovative in developing options that are responsive to differing needs.
Knowledge of managerial, leadership and team management and development in high educational.

Skills

Skills in outstanding interpersonal communication.
Skilled supervising and working with direct reports and student interns.
Skills in problem-solving.
Skills in strategic decision making and exercising good judgement, especially under pressure and in conflict situations.
Skills in professional networking and collaborating with others.
Skills in providing training, workshops, and presentations to diverse audiences.
Excellent organizational skills.

Abilities

Ability to maintain a professional demeanor.
Ability to organize and communicate information to varying campus groups effectively.
Ability to gather information, analyze it and, as necessary, help campus community develop appropriate options and actions.
Ability to deal calmly, fairly, effectively and in a timely fashion with all campus members.
Ability to be open, objective, and seek to understand issues from multiple perspectives.
Ability to develop options that are responsive to differing needs.
Ability to maintain confidentiality.
Ability to operate program effectively and with minimal supervision.
Ability to function with a high degree of autonomy requiring both independence and freedom to act within the context of casework.
Ability to have reflective discussions and critique within the Ombuds team.

EEO Statement:

UVU employment decisions are made on the basis of an applicant's qualifications and ability to perform the job without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age (40 and over), disability, veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth, or pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or other bases protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

To apply, please visit https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/uvu/jobs/4298106/assistant-director-conflict-resolution-ombudsman

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