Associate Ombudsperson - Jobs in Kingston, ON

Job Description

About Queens UniversityQueen’s University is the Canadian research intensive university with a transformative student learning experience. Here the employment experience is as diverse as it is interesting. We have opportunities in multiple areas of globally recognized research, faculty administration, engineering & construction, athletics & recreation, power generation, corporate shared services, and many more.We are committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcome applications from individuals from equity seeking groups such as women, racialized/visible minorities, Indigenous/Aboriginal peoples, persons with a disability, persons who identify in the LGBTQ+ community and others who reflect the diversity of Canadian society.Come work with us!Job SummaryReporting to the University Ombudsperson, the Associate Ombudsperson assists in carrying out the functions described in the Terms of Reference of the Office of the University Ombudsperson.The Associate Ombudsperson is an independent, impartial, and confidential resource for students, staff, faculty, and Queen’s Community members with diverse backgrounds and identities to receive guidance and advice about their university-related concerns and complaints regarding university policies, procedures, and decision-making structures. Committed to equity, diversity, inclusion, and indigenization principles, the Associate Ombudsperson assists members of the university community to understand policy and procedures that apply to the situation.The Associate Ombudsperson interacts with all levels of administration including, but not limited to Associate Deans, Deans, the Provost, the Principal and Vice­Principals, University Counsel, external lawyers, Student Wellness Services, and Campus Security to provide expert guidance and recommendations on a wide variety of complex matters at the university. The Associate Ombudsperson recommends improvements to policies, rules, procedures, and academic regulations that are unclear or inequitable.Job DescriptionKEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Advises decision-makers on the rules of procedural fairness and the application of university policies.
• Responds to queries/issues raised by senior and academic administrators, students, faculty, and staff, investigating the background to the query/issue, providing information and/or possible solutions and, in circumstances of conflict, building consensus and resolution dependent upon a number of variables including university, faculty or staff policies, history and precedent.
• Provides information, confidential and impartial advice, complaint and conflict resolution, consultation, investigation and diplomacy, ensuring the University community is served effectively.
• Mediates complaints according to university policies or upon request of the parties to a dispute. Through impartial advice and administration, ensures and sustains the credibility and integrity of each process.
• Identifies and reports on any policies, rules or procedures associated with the universitys academic mission and related support services that appear unclear, inequitable or unfair. Makes recommendations on revisions to existing policies, rules or procedures and/or advises on the development of new policies, rules or procedures.
• As delegated by the Ombudsperson, serves as ex officio non-voting member to the various academic and non-academic committees.
• Conducts workshop sessions on specific topics for particular groups, or on general topics for a range of participants (e.g. procedural fairness workshops to academic decision makers such as Associate Deans and Appeal Board Chairs).
• Creates a positive and inclusive work environment that supports and promotes a culture where a diverse range of ideas and perspectives are incorporated into decision-making.
• Acts as the University Ombudsperson in the absence of the Ombudsperson
• Supervises the completion of work assigned by the Associate Ombudsperson to the other staff positions within the Office (ie. Manager of Communications and Outreach, and the Intake Coordinator)
• Supports and acts as a delegate of the Ombudsperson when required.
• Undertakes other duties as delegated.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in a field related to the primary responsibilities (e.g. Counselling, Mediation, Law) and four to seven years of work experience in a conflict resolution role in a complex administrative environment.
• A law degree (LL.B. or J.D.) is considered an asset.
• Knowledge of administrative law, tribunals, and procedural fairness.
• Experience in counseling, conflict resolution, mediation or facilitation in a culturally diverse setting.
• Proven ability to work effectively within a culturally diverse environment.
• Experience in the development and/or review of policies and procedures/guidelines in an academic setting (committee process, collegial decision-making, student government, residence systems) to enhance operational effectiveness. An understanding of university faculty culture would be an asset.
• Experience with and understanding of the Queens University environment, its structure, governance, procedures, and constituencies, student governments, and student services. Familiarity with Queen’s University policies and procedures is considered an asset.
• Ability to identify and respond to the needs of university departments, and the ability to interpret and provide recommendations to revise academic appeals procedures.
• Consideration will be given to an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience in a discipline related to dispute resolution, mediation, and negotiation.

SPECIAL SKILLS:

• Ability to understand, assimilate and reconcile complex situations and divergent perspectives, usually in situations where some level of conflict is present; elicit information to identify and simplify issues in dispute.
• Excellent communication (oral and written), mediation and negotiation skills including the ability to listen, articulate, defuse tension when necessary, build trust, advocate effectively, and problem-solve creatively.
• Ability to cultivate and maintain productive and collaborative relationships with diverse members of the university at all levels
• Ability to assist in or provide advice, expertise, consultative services in managing discrimination and harassment, anti-racism, and workplace conflict cases: understanding of cultural diversity and needs of special populations; coordinate and conduct complex consultation, liaison, and communication activities to inform, educate, obtain feedback on and gain support for the resolution of complaints/grievances.
• Ability to move from high level conceptualization to detailed and thorough implementation with the ability to engage in both independent and consultative decision-making so as to move issues forward and build necessary consensus around a resolution.

DECISION MAKING:

• Determines when to intervene to facilitate a resolution of a concern or to conduct an informal inquiry concerning matters that they feel warrant such treatment. Decides on the method of intervention or inquiry for individual matters/concerns.
• Decides when not to intervene in a case where the request for assistance is not made in good faith or is otherwise considered to be frivolous, malicious in nature, an abuse of process, or designed to subvert another legitimate process.
• Decides when to advise the Ombudsperson of the need to alert senior administrators to an emerging situation. Decides to disclose information offered in confidence where it is necessary to prevent violence within the university community whether in the academic/student environment or the employment context in which employees have the right to a safe workplace.
• Determines which matters to assign to Ombuds Academic Appeal Advisors within the Office of the Ombudsperson.

Employment Equity and Accessibility StatementThe University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Queen’s is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcomes applications from women, visible minorities, Aboriginal Peoples, persons with disabilities, and persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity. In accordance with Canadian Immigration requirements, priority will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents.The University provides support in its recruitment processes to applicants with disabilities, including accommodation that takes into account an applicants accessibility needs. Candidates requiring accommodation during the recruitment process are asked to contact Human Resources at hradmin@queensu.ca .Quick Apply

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