OMBUDSMAN - Range 20 / EXE

Municipality of Anchorage; Anchorage (AK); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Municipality of Anchorage seeks an Ombudsman to lead an independent office created to investigate acts of municipal agencies and to promote efficiency, equity, and improved services. The role includes developing findings, making recommendations, and coordinating with officials across departments.

The incumbent supervises staff, manages the Ombudsman function budget and policies, and communicates with non-elected municipal employees with discretion and diplomacy.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to conduct meticulous research and analyze information.
• Strong diplomatic communication and tact in official interactions.
• Proven negotiation skills to promote acceptance of recommendations.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and investigate complaints across Municipal government.
• Develop findings and recommendations for higher standards of service.
• Supervise subordinate staff and communicate with officials at all levels.

Skills

Research

Diplomacy

Negotiation

Education

Associate's degree in Public Administration/Politics/Related

Bachelor's degree in Public Administration/Politics/Related

Master's degree in Public Administration/Politics/Related

Job description

Open to the general public and any current Municipal employee.

This is an executive position (no union affiliation) and serves at the pleasure of the Assembly of the Municipality of Anchorage.

DEPARTMENT: Office of the Ombudsman
HOURS OF WORK: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm
LOCATION: 632 W 6th Avenue, Suite 160 - City Hall

To be considered for employment, candidates must be legally authorized to work and accept employment in the United States. The Municipality of Anchorage is not able to provide any type of sponsorship, including Student Visas and Employment Visas, under any circumstances.

The Ombudsman is a position and function created in the Charter (Art. 4.07) to serve as an independent, impartial municipal office, readily available to the public, empowered to investigate the acts of administrative agencies and to recommend appropriate changes for higher standards of competency, efficiency and equity in the provision of municipal services. (AMC 2.60.010) The incumbent oversees and investigates complaints in all areas of Municipal government: deals with confidential information and is afforded access to all Municipal records and all non-elected Municipal employees; must be extremely sensitive while using these access powers in order to avoid a breach of trust or otherwise alienating an agency. Research must be meticulous to preserve credibility while correspondence written by the individual is required to be unmistakingly clear to avoid misunderstandings and conflict among agencies. The incumbent supervises and develops findings and recommendations, and exercises diplomacy in communicating with officials at all levels of Municipal government. Negotiating skills are utilized in promoting acceptance of recommendations. Develops the budget, and policies and procedures for the Ombudsman function; provides supervision for subordinate employees; performs other duties as required.

Associate's degree in Public Administration, Political Science, Public Relations, Education, Pre Law, or a closely related discipline, and six (6) years of experience in the investigation and resolution of complaints, legal compliance or arbitration analysis in a government organization, or similar experience elsewhere.

OR

Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Political Science, Public Relations, Education, Pre Law, or a closely related discipline, and four (4) years of experience in the investigation and resolution of complaints, legal compliance or arbitration analysis in a government organization, or similar experience elsewhere.

OR

Master's degree in Public Administration, Political Science, Public Relations, Education, Pre Law, or a closely related discipline, and two (2) years of experience in the investigation and resolution of complaints, legal compliance or arbitration analysis in a government organization, or similar experience elsewhere.

All applicants must possess and/or obtain:

• Satisfactory background check which includes criminal, education, and employment history at time of hire.
• A valid State of Alaska Driver's License at time of hire.

The Municipality of Anchorage participates in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security E-verify Program. For more information, please go to http://www.uscis.gov/E-verify. E-Verify is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

If selected for hire, appointment in this position will be conditional based upon a satisfactory Municipal Employment Office conducted Background Check. A Background Check encompasses criminal history, verifying education, and verifying dates of employment.

If selected for hire, appointment in this position will be conditional based upon the submission of a current copy of the candidate's Alaska Driver's License, and a current (dated within 30 days from date requested) copy of his/her Department of Motor Vehicle driving record, including a driving record from previous states, if the Alaska Driver's License was first issued within one year prior to application, documenting an acceptable driving history. The processing fee(s) are the responsibility of the selected candidate. For information on acceptable driving history, please refer to the MOA Driving Conviction Guidelines.

Military Service Interview Preference

Veterans who wish to be considered for interview preference, as permitted in Municipal Personnel Rules 3.30.031 D, must attach to the application a copy of their DD Form 214, DD Form 256, NGB Form 22, or a letter from the US Department of Veterans Affairs, recognizing the person as a veteran. The attached documentation must show an honorable discharge or general (under honorable conditions) discharge. The minimum qualifications of the position must be met for preference consideration.

Individuals currently serving as a member in good standing in the National Guard or the organized military reserves who wish to be considered for interview preference, as permitted in Municipal Personnel Rules 3.30.031 D, must attach proof of current service to the application. Proof of current service can be shown by submission of a statement of service which, at a minimum, shows the full name, date of birth, Social Security Number, date service began, branch of service, rank, name of command providing the information, and unit of assignment. The statement of service must be on a form or letterhead of the individual’s command organization, and shows the name, signature, title, and contact information of the signer providing the statement of service. The minimum qualifications of the position must be met for preference consideration.

The Municipality of Anchorage is an Employer of National Service. Please be sure to include any volunteer work with AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, or other national service programs on your application in the work history portion.

The MOA is an EO and AA Employer and complies with Title I of the ADA.

For information regarding requests for reasonable accommodations related to employment under the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Municipality of Anchorage ADA Coordinator at 907-343-4571.