Ombuds Jobs

About The Position

Requirements

• Experience managing individuals and teams in an education, social service, or related setting, and holding individuals and teams accountable to their work.
• Experience supervising, coaching, or providing leadership to staff, including supporting employee development, performance, and accountability.
• Experience managing complex cases or client concerns, including problem-solving, conflict resolution, and navigating complex systems.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment, maintain confidentiality, and apply professional and ethical standards when working with clients and sensitive information.
• Experience developing and maintaining effective relationships with diverse clients, families, community members, agencies, and other stakeholders.
• Experience working with diverse racial and ethnic communities, socioeconomic groups, language-based communities, and people with diverse disabilities.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing, speech, and interpersonal interactions, especially in a remote work environment.
• Curiosity and willingness to learn, reflect on personal strengths and weaknesses, and use learning to make government programs and processes more efficient and effective.
• Flexibility, adaptability, customer-service focus, and willingness and ability to respond empathetically to the unique needs of people served.
• Ability to travel statewide.
• Maintain a valid driver’s license when driving is an essential function, or have an approved accommodation that allows the employee to meet travel requirements.
• Maintain reliable high-speed internet suitable for video calls and a confidential place to work.
• Washington State residency is required.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of Washington State K-12 policies, rules, and practices.
• Progressive experience providing ombuds, dispute resolution, advocacy, case management, education, community engagement, or closely related services.
• Customer service background.
• Conflict resolution experience.

Responsibilities

• Manage and support direct reports, including employee appraisal, professional development, communication, collaboration, and accountability.
• Address personnel conflicts and performance issues promptly and appropriately, consulting with the Director as needed.
• Approve direct reports’ training and in-state travel expenditures, as well as small purchases.
• Oversee management and allocation of team resources, particularly staff time and capacity, to achieve organizational goals and provide responsive, high-quality services.
• Manage an independent caseload of ombuds cases and provide direct ombuds services to clients.
• Help clients identify concerns, navigate systems, explore options, and develop solutions consistent with OEO’s role and responsibilities.
• Maintain professional and ethical conduct in client work, cases, and interactions.
• Oversee the daily operations of the community outreach specialist position and ensure outreach aligns with OEO priorities and organizational goals.
• Support outreach activities and collaborate with leadership and staff to develop an outreach strategy.
• Represent OEO on policy committees and agency or community workgroups as assigned.
• Consult with the Director on strategic and tactical project planning and resource utilization.
• Lead and implement approaches to team structure, processes, and service delivery that strengthen OEO’s ability to meet client and community needs.
• Identify opportunities to improve organizational effectiveness, service quality, collaboration, and operational efficiency.
• Participate in agency leadership discussions about strategic direction, staff management, organizational priorities, and resource allocation.
• Promote a collaborative, equitable, client-centered, and solutions-oriented approach across OEO.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.
• 12 paid holidays.
• At least 14 paid vacation days.
• 12 days of sick leave per year.
• State retirement programs.