College Ombuds - Part-time

Davidson; Davidson (NC); Hybrid; USD 39,000 - 62,000; Part time

Job summary

Davidson College seeks an independent College Ombuds to assist faculty and staff with conflicts through confidential, informal, and neutral mediation. This part‑time, on‑campus role reports to the President and upholds IOA standards while maintaining impartiality and confidentiality.

The Ombuds designs workshops, guides stakeholders, documents trends, and advises administration to foster constructive resolution across campus.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required with minimum 7 years of ADR experience.
• Understand IOA Standards of Practice and adhere to those standards.
• Current North Carolina Business License.

Responsibilities

• Provide confidential, informal, and impartial assistance to College faculty and staff by listening to concerns, clarifying issues, and reviewing options for resolution.
• Guide, advise, coach, and collaborate with faculty and staff in conflict situations, offering counsel on resources and processes.
• Provide informal mediation and facilitate meetings and discussions to resolve disputes.
• Design and conduct conflict management workshops for the College community.
• Develop and establish the College Ombuds Office including website materials, policies, and outreach resources.

Skills

Shuttle diplomacy

Communication skills

Confidentiality and impartiality

Conflict resolution

Higher-education experience

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

IOA CO-OP certification

OCP-Certified Organizational Ombuds

Job description

Reporting to the President, the College Ombuds is an independent, impartial, neutral, informal, and confidential 3 rd party who will assist faculty and staff dealing with concerns or issues through conflict management and resolution. The College Ombuds operates within the principles of the International Ombuds Association (IOA), facilitating resolution in one‑on‑one or group settings, through alternative dispute resolution methods.

Job Description

• Provide confidential, informal, and impartial assistance to College faculty and staff employees by listening to concerns and clarifying issues, reviewing and developing options for managing or resolving their concern, and providing information and referrals.
• Guide, advise, coach, and collaborate with faculty and staff experiencing conflict, providing counsel on how to navigate and utilize existing conflict resolution resources.
• Provide informal mediation for employees in the art of conflict resolution, facilitating meetings and discussions.
• Designs and conducts conflict management related workshops for the College community.
• Develops and establish the office of the College Ombuds, including creating the Ombuds website materials, policies, service descriptions, FAQs, and outreach resources, ensuring content is clear, accessible,and non-identifying for those that come to speak with the Ombuds.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships across all levels of administration, including collaboration with formal units to provide referrals and support campus‑wide initiatives.
• Tracks trend data anonymously on the use of the Ombuds Office and concerns of employees; providing early warning of new areas of organizational concern and need for systemic improvement; and making recommendations to improve the College.
• Formulate, manage, and monitor the overall goals, direction, programs and budget of the Ombuds Office.
• Engage in regular outreach to employees about the role of the Ombuds as well as collaborate and develop good working relationships with administrators, faculty, and staff across the College.
• Ensure the integrity of the Ombuds Office is maintained through independence, impartiality, confidentiality, fair processes, and timely attention to the resolution of issues, while demonstrating treatment of individuals with dignity and respect.

Other Information

This is a part‑time position, with a regular in‑person/on‑campus attendance requirement, in order to meet the needs of the College and to foster strong and collaborative interactions across the campus.

Minimal Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required, with a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience utilizing alternative dispute resolution practices and skills in resolution of potential conflicts.
• Understanding of the Standards of Practice as outlined by the International Ombudsman Association and ability to adhere to those standards.
• Current North Carolina Business License

Preferred Qualification

• Master's or other advanced degree or advanced certificate in mediation, other conflict or dispute resolution, organizational psychology, higher education, counseling, or related fields.
• Licensure: IOA CO-OP (Certified Organizational Ombuds Practitioner) certification, OCP-Certified Organizational Ombuds certification or foundational training from IOA (e.g., Foundations of Organizational Ombuds Practice).

Skills, Knowledge & Abilities

• Demonstrated experience facilitating communication between parties ("shuttle diplomacy")
• Outstanding communication, organizational, listening, and coaching skills. Ability to communicate effectively with a diverse group of constituents. Must be able to maintain confidentiality and remain impartial. A strong background knowledge/experience with individual and group behavior matters. Proven history in resolving conflicts in a diverse environment.
• Ability to navigate complex interpersonal and institutional dynamics in a higher‑education environment while maintaining neutrality, cultural responsiveness, and respect for all parties.

Effective presentation and training skills. Ability to self‑start and work independently. Must know and adhere to the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice of the International Ombudsman Association

About Us

Davidson is a highly selective, nationally ranked, residential liberal arts college located in Davidson, North Carolina, near Charlotte. We seek to hire talented faculty and staff who are committed to achieving excellence within an inclusive community where diverse backgrounds and perspectives are valued.

Job Info

• Job Identification 871
• Job Category Seasonal Roles
• Job Schedule Part time
• Locations 209 Ridge Road, Davidson, NC, 28035, US