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Ombudsman

Employer
Stockton Unified School District
Location
Stockton, California
Salary
$84,585.00 to $102,816.00 annual pay

OMBUDSMAN

 DEFINITION

The ombudsman is a designated neutral to facilitate the informal resolution of concerns of employees, managers, students and the community; with a focus on assisting in the resolutions of parent concerns.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives direction from the Assistant Superintendent, Educational Support Services. May exercise supervision over clerical staff as assigned.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES(Incumbents may perform any combination of the essential functions shown below ((E)).  This position description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, knowledge, or abilities associated with this classification, but, is intended to accurately reflect the principal job elements.)

Act as a designated neutral or impartial dispute resolution intermediary of behalf of parents, guardians, and community members at the site level to resolve differences, disagreements, and miscommunications between the school site administrator, teacher, and/or support staff; promote healthy discussion and dialogue; advocate for fairness in the administration of policies and procedures (E).

Conduct informal fact-finding to better understand an issue from all perspectives, while maintaining expected confidentiality (E).

Assist parents, guardians, community members, and district staff to clarify and analyze issues, focus discussions, and generate and evaluate options that are responsive to differing needs for resolution of those issues while treating people with dignity and respect (E).

Work with individuals and groups to explore and assist in determining options to help resolve conflicts, with a specific emphasis on resolution of parent concerns (E).

Act as a source of information and referral, aid in answering questions, and assist in the resolution of concerns and critical situations (E).

Work independently and collaboratively to create and mediate a culture of responsibility, trust, and cooperation between district staff, families, and community leaders in support of students (E).

Collaborate with leaders, district departments school sites, parents, family groups, outside districts and agencies and other personnel to coordinate activities, resolve issues or concerns, exchange information and accomplish District stated goals (E).

Maintain the highest level of professionalism, confidentiality, integrity, and sound judgment by treating all individuals with dignity and respect (E).

Provide impartial and confidential consultation to parents, students, staff and others related to a personal grievance regarding an alleged violation, misinterpretation or improper application of District policies and procedures or alleged improper treatment (E).

Assist in reframing issues to develop and help evaluate options and satisfactory resolutions (E).

Guide or coach parents and others in need to deal directly with other parties, including the use of formal resolution resources as necessary (E).

Assist those who are unable or unwilling to surface a concern directly by creating an awareness of the issue at site or district levels as appropriate (E).

Facilitate informal resolution processes for parents and others through various types of informal mediation (E).

Communicate with district and/or site to provide unfiltered information that produce insight to issues and resolutions (E).

Acts as a source of detection to identify new issues and offers suggestions of systemic change to improve existing processes (E).

Refer parents and other inquirers to supervisors and/or appropriate district staff who are able to address the matters of concern (E).

 

Prepare and maintain a variety of narrative, analytical and statistical reports (E).

Assist parents and others requesting consultation in interpreting policies and procedures.

Assist parents and others with assessment of possible outcomes.

May consult involved parties to clarify and analyze issues and focus discussions to offer possible resolution alternatives.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

  • Conflict resolution and mediation techniques.
  • District policies which address nondiscrimination in educational programs.
  • Principals and techniques of interviewing.
  • District organization.
  • District policies, procedures, rules, regulations and Education Code related to assigned function.
  • Diverse cultures and backgrounds.
  • Oral and written communication skills.
  • Interpersonal skills.
  • Diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds of district students.

Ability to:

  • Communicate effectively orally and in writing
  • Remain independent, neutral, and impartial; exercise good judgment.
  • Maintain confidentiality
  • Clarify issues, develop constructive solutions to problems, and prepare appropriate resources in a timely manner.
  • Read, interpret, apply, and explain rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and Education Code.
  • Plan, organize, and establish priorities
  • Relate well to student, staff, parents, and others
  • Assist others in problem solving
  • Communicate clearly and succinctly
  • Relate to diverse cultures
  • Work independently and make decisions within established guidelines
  • Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work
  • Operate a computer, related software, and standard office equipment.

Education and Experience:

Any combination of education, training and/or experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited four year college or university and four (4) years’ experience working with the public. Conflict resolution/mediation skills preferred.

License or Certificate:

  • First Aid and CPR certificates must be obtained within sixty (60) days from date of hire
  • Possession of a valid California driver’s license

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Physical Demands:

Employees in this position must have/be able to:

  • Enter data into a computer terminal and operate standard office equipment.
  • Hear and understand speech at normal levels and on the telephone with or without hearing aids.
  • See and read a computer screen and printed matter with or without vision aids.
  • See, hear and speak with/without assistive devices sufficient to communicate effectively with others.
  • Sit for extended periods of time.
  • Bend at the waist.
  • Reach overhead, above the shoulders and horizontally, grasp, push/pull.
  • Lift and/or carry up to 25 lbs at waist height for short distances.

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