Ombudsman - Human Resources

Salary: $71,727.00 - $128,779.00 Annually

Location : Richmond, VA

Job Type: Full-Time Regular

Job Number: 12M00000053

Department: Human Resources

Opening Date: 08/07/2023

Closing Date: 8/8/2023 11:59 PM Eastern

Description
Are you Richmond R.E.A.D.Y?
Respect. Equity. Accountability. Diversity...you!!!

Richmond, the capital city of Virginia, is located on the heart of the James River. Our unique corner of the commonwealth offers a special blend of diverse and equitable opportunities for residents and businesses. As a team member of the City of Richmond, you can enjoy access to services, support, and recreation, which make the city a world-class place to live, work, play, and raise a family. We invite you to explore our many vibrant communities and discover all that we have to offer...Are you Richmond Ready!
The Ombudsman provide neutral, confidential, and independent service to employees seeking information or conflict resolution. Services provided include consultation, referrals, explanations of policies and procedures, review of applicable resolution methods, and other services.

The Ombudsperson reports to the Human Resources Director.
This position will also provide annual reports based on aggregated, de- identified data to the Human Resources Director to promote organizational growth through improvements to policies, systems, and services and to identify important themes relevant to organizational culture and climate. The Ombudsperson maintains strict confidentiality to the extent feasible and lawful and provides a service to the City of Richmond that is committed to inclusion, fairness, and equity.
In support of the City of Richmond, provides direct services and referrals to help prevent, identify, manage and/or resolve workplace conflict. Guides individuals to mediation, facilitation and negotiation while honoring the critical elements of an ombudsperson, which must be confidential, impartial, informal, independent non-retaliatory fair and ethical facilitation of problem-solving process. The Ombudsman will coordinate, develop and/or provide appropriate training programs to promote conflict resolution and collaborative problem solving to individuals, groups, and departmental managers and leaders.
Duties include but are not limited to
Duties and Responsibilities

1. Provides a neutral, independent, and confidential environment for consultation. Listens to concerns and discusses appropriate options for resolution. Does not advocate on behalf of any individual or entity within the organization and, instead, seeks to identify processes and solutions that are fair and equitable to all parties.
2. Facilitate informal resolution process.
3. Guides, coaches, and refers employees to appropriate resources. Coordinates resource use, as necessary.
4. Keeps secure records in accordance with the recommendations from the International Ombudsman Association. Generates aggregated and de- identified annual reports to share with senior leadership identifying themes emerging from the work of the Ombudsperson relevant to organizational culture, and areas for policy and process improvement.
5. May perform duties such as data collection, records maintenance, and report preparation.
6. Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Job Requirements

• Bachelor's degree; at least 5 years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.
• Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution that are above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

• Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws pertaining to employment services, training programs, and social services including community outreach.
• Strong listening, interpersonal and communication skills.
• Effective verbal and written communication.
• Effective collaboration with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
• Fair and effective process provision with impartiality.
• Data collection, records maintenance, report preparation.
• Knowledge of customer service standards and procedures.
• Knowledge of laws, regulations, methods, and techniques in area of specialty.
• Development, planning and implementation of short- and long-range goals.
• Conflict resolution skills, including mediation process skills.
• Use of independent judgment.
• Manage confidential information.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

• No or very limited physical effort required.
• No or very limited exposure to physical risk.

With over 4,000 employees, the City of Richmond is an "Employer of Choice" among cities throughout the nation. The City strives to hire and retain employees who bring dedication and talent to the workforce. Offering a competitive, cost effective, and quality benefits package is one element of an "Employer of Choice".

The City offers a full range of benefit programs from initial hire through retirement. Please visit our Web site for details.