ES-0301-06
Introduction
This position is located in the DC State Board of Education (State Board). Under the supervision of the Ombudsman, The Senior Advisor to the Ombudsman (Public Education) works with in the Office of the Ombudsman for Public Education, a neutral and independent office that works to prevent, address, and facilitate concerns and complaints related to public education. The Office responds to concerns from parents, students, and staff by advising about policy or mediating conflicts when required.
Incumbent serves as a subject matter expert and key advisor to the Director, providing a broad range of operational management, project management, and research and writing support in the implementation of the Office of the Ombudsman's mission. Specifically, incumbent is responsible for the coordination of case management, outreach and engagement, mediation, policy recommendations, and ensures compliance with applicable policies, procedures, regulations, and laws. Incumbent adheres to the IOA (International Ombuds Association) Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics and serves as a confidential, impartial, independent, and informal resource.
Position Controls
Incumbent works under the supervision of the Ombudsman for Public Education. Who provides administrative direction. As an expert in in conflict resolution and mediation, incumbent works with the director to develop deadlines, projects, and work to be completed. Incumbent keeps the Ombudsman informed of progress and alerts of potentially controversial matters. Completed work is reviewed in terms of technical adequacy, appropriateness, efficiency, conformance to policy and procedures, and effectiveness in meeting requirements or expected results.
Guidelines include Federal and District laws, regulations, and policies, the State Board of Education policies and procedures, as well as the specific policies, procedures, and community best practices for the Office of the Ombudsman for Public Education. Incumbent uses judgment, ingenuity, and exercises broad latitude to interpret the intent of the guidelines that do exist, and in developing appropriate applications of rules and regulations.
Major Duties
Handle cases, advises, and manages projects in accordance with the standard operating procedures of the Office. Incumbent serves as a liaison between the Ombudsman and staff regarding casework and outreach initiatives by managing the day-to-day tasks of the Assistant Ombuds and program support staff.
Provides education, information, and referrals to individuals contacting the office, and supports the Assistant Ombuds to answer questions, review applicable policies, and guidance as necessary. Identifies trends and systemic issues and brings them to the attention of the Ombudsman at regularly planned intervals, and as assigned.
As an expert in conflict resolution and meditation, incumbent plans and carries out assignments, including case management, resolving conflicts that arise, coordinating work with others, as necessary, and interpreting policy.
Examines and makes determinations regarding the validity of complaints; evaluates and proposes responses and solutions to complaints including recommendations, and ensures timely, accurate, and helpful responses to complaints and concerns; makes referrals to the pertinent school officials as appropriate.
Identifies systematic concerns raised by citizens, or otherwise received, related to public education and submits reports as required by law, including recommendations of policy changes, staff training, and strategies to improve the delivery of public education services.
Facilitates and manages joint projects with other agencies and individuals; manage communications related to both internal and external agencies
Develops outreach strategies, marketing materials, organizes community events, and directs public outreach activities to encourage communication between residents and relevant education stakeholders.
Evaluates the effectiveness of the outreach program, communications. And community involvement activities and makes recommendations to management to improve efforts, including gathering feedback from training, event, and workshop participants.
Plans work to be accomplished by subordinates, set and adjust short-term priorities, and prepare schedules for completion of work; assign work to subordinates based on priorities, develop performance standards and evaluate work performance of subordinates; give advice, counsel, or instruction to employees on both work and administrative matters; interview candidates for positions in the unit; recommend appointment, promotion, or reassignment to such positions; hear and resolve complaints from employees, referring group grievances and more serious unresolved complaints to a higher level supervisor or manager; effect minor disciplinary measures, such as warnings and reprimands, recommending other action in more serious cases; identify developmental and training needs of employees, providing or arranging for needed development and training; find ways to improve production or increase the quality of the work directed. Provides professional development and training both internally and externally to support improved case management.
Qualifications/Education
Specialized experience is experience which is directly related to the position and has equipped the individual with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. To be creditable, the incumbent must possess at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression.
Preferred 5-7 years professional experience and 2-3 years supervisory experience.
Other Significant Facts
Expert knowledge of local and federal laws, policies, regulations, and instructions governing, affecting, or pertaining to the Office of the Ombudsman's activities to provide advice on education policy pertaining to student discipline and special education.
Demonstrated strong reasoning abilities and informal problem-solving/negotiation skills, sound judgment and be well-organized with good communication skills to collaborate with individuals of diverse backgrounds and tactfully handle difficult conversations.
Knowledge of program operations, goal setting, strategic planning to implement policies and practices around education laws, policies, regulations, and precedents.
Demonstrated proficiency in analyzing conflict and formulating or collaborating on the formulation of initiatives to resolve conflict as an ombuds; skill in problem-solving, negotiation, and mediation; knowledge of alternative dispute resolution (ADR)techniques and processes used in organizational ombuds practice, including understanding the mechanisms and benefits of each.
Demonstrated ability in leading and supervising teams, organizational management techniques, or experiences leading a task forces; oversees the staff's ability to manage and resolve cases, to conduct mediations and facilitations, define data collection requirements, analyze data and records, and synthesize information to develop findings, conclusions, recommendations and knowledge of producing sophisticated and complex analytical reports.
Demonstrated ability to produce high-quality written documents, including memoranda to management, oversight documents, and reports and briefings to executive staff, professional and administrative employees, as well as elected officials.
Working Conditions/Environment
The work is performed in an adequately lit and climate-controlled office.
Licenses and Certifications
None
Tour of Duty: Monday - Friday; 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Pay Plan, Series and Grade: ES-0301-06
Salary Range: $75,880 -$113,820 Per Annual, based on funding
Promotional Potential: None
Collective Bargaining Unit: (Union): This position is not in a collective bargaining unit.
Position Designation(s): The position has been deemed security-sensitive, pursuant to section 410 of Chapter 4 of the D.C. Personnel Regulations. Accordingly, the incumbent will be subject to pre-employment checks (criminal background and traffic records, if applicable) as a condition of employment, and will be subject to periodic criminal background checks, and traffic records for the duration of your tenure.
The District of Columbia government maintains a drug free work environment policy. All District employees are subject to post-accident/incident and reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol testing.
The Senior Advisor to the Ombudsman (Public Education) Handle cases, advises, and manages projects in accordance with the standard operating procedures of the Office. Incumbent serves as a liaison between the Ombudsman and staff regarding casework and outreach initiatives by managing the day-to-day tasks of the Assistant Ombuds and program support staff. The incumbent also Examines and makes determinations regarding the validity of complaints; evaluates and proposes responses and solutions to complaints including recommendations, and ensures timely, accurate, and helpful responses to complaints and concerns; makes referrals to the pertinent school officials as appropriate.
Domicile Requirement
This position requires the selected individual to become a domiciliary of the District of Columbia. The selected individual must either: (1) be a domiciliary of the District of Columbia at the time of appointment and maintain such domicile during the period of the appointment; or (2) become a domiciliary of the District of Columbia within 180 days of the date of the appointment and maintain such domicile during the period of the appointment.
EEO Statement: The District of Columbia Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, genetic information, matriculation, political affiliation, credit information, homeless status, and/or victims or family members of victims of domestic violence, sexual offense or stalking.
Closing Date: October 28, 2024
Interested candidates must submit a cover letter and resume to at [email protected] for consideration. Applications will be screened as they are received. Only individuals who meet the minimum qualifications will be contacted.