Job no: 518201
Work type: Staff Full Time
Location: UMass Amherst
Department: Ombuds Office
Union: Non-Unit Exempt
Categories: Administrative & Office Support, Counseling/Health/Wellness

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450 acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Job Summary

Under the direction of the University Ombudsperson, the Assistant Ombudsperson is responsible for providing confidential, impartial, and informal assistance to faculty, staff, and students, with a focus on serving undergraduate students, functioning as a neutral party promoting effective communication and fair practices.

Essential Functions

• Provides independent, impartial, informal, and confidential assistance to University students, staff, and faculty.
• Interprets and explains University policies to visitors and makes referrals to campus resources as needed.
• Offers even-handed assistance in dealing with difficult and complex issues, presenting a range of responsible options to resolve problems, and facilitating discussion to empower individuals and groups to identify the best options.
• Helps individuals bring concerns forward anonymously and aggregates multiple reports related to group concerns.
• Assists with identifying discrepancies between the stated goals and objectives of the University and actual practice.
• Assists with identifying emerging trends or concerns and with creating statistical and narrative reports.
• Maintains collaborative working relationships with all campus departments.
• Co-facilitates workshops and conducts informational presentations/outreach activities across campus.
• Assists in developing effective outreach, informational, and marketing materials both online and in print.
• Ensures confidentiality of communications with individuals to the extent allowed by law.
• Represents and oversees the office in the absence of the University Ombudsperson.

Other Functions

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Bachelor’s Degree and five (5) years of experience in advising, counseling, training, employee relations, or similar experience. A Master’s Degree in higher education, counseling, or a related field may be substituted for two (2) years of the required experience.
• Demonstrated ability to deal with sensitive, complex, confidential matters and to respond in a thoughtful, respectful, and unbiased manner.
• Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent writing and presentation skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and competence with current standard office technology and software.
• Demonstrated cultural competency and appreciation for diversity.

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Prior mediation or conflict resolution training and experience.
• Prior experience designing and facilitating workshops.
• Prior experience supporting undergraduate student development and success.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

• Typical office environment.

Work Schedule

• Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM (40 hours per week).
• This position has the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule, which is defined by the University as an arrangement where an employee’s work is regularly performed at a location other than the campus workspace for a portion of the week. As this position is non-unit, it is subject to the terms and conditions of the University of Massachusetts Board of Trustees Non-Unit (Professional/or Classified) Employee Personnel Policy.

Salary Information

Level 27

Exempt Hiring Ranges

Special Instructions to Applicants

Along with the application, please submit a resume, cover letter, and contact information for three (3) professional references. This posting will remain open until the position has been filled.

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, or genetic information in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.