AMS Ombudsperson
The Alma Mater Society (AMS) is the University of British Columbia’s (UBC) student society, and works to improve the academic, social and personal lives of the 56,000 UBC students at its Vancouver campus. The AMS also runs nine food and beverage outlets, a catering and conference operation, and the AMS Student Nest, providing on-campus employment opportunities and generating revenue that goes directly back into supporting the students at UBC.
Position Title: AMS Ombudsperson
Length of Term: May 1, 2025 – April 30, 2026
Reports To: AMS Council
Hours per week: 20
Employee Status: Term, Appointed
Compensation: $20.00 per hour
Position Purpose
The AMS Ombudsperson provides impartial and confidential conflict resolution services to AMS members. The majority of services provided surround conflict management regarding AMS clubs and constituencies undergoing internal or external conflicts, and receiving and investigating complaints about the AMS. The AMS Ombudsperson also provides facilitation, peer, and emotional support to AMS members. The AMS Ombudsperson reports any reasonable complaint within the AMS or its subsidiary organizations to the appropriate authority, while maintaining the mandate of the Ombuds Office. The AMS Ombudsperson also manages and oversees all aspects of the AMS Ombuds Office.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Hold responsibility in investigating and reporting to Council or the appropriate member of the staff of the Society or the Executive any reasonable complaint or question that an active member has with the Society and its organizations
- Hold responsibility for the resolution of any such complaint where possible; recommending a course of action to Council or any of the Society’s organizations where such action is necessitated
- Provide facilitation, peer, and emotional support to members of the AMS
- Provide mediation and/or negotiation services to members in conflict with the AMS or with one another
- Assist members in written appeals to the AMS regarding their concerns; providing members with feedback as required
- Conduct investigations under AMS policies PC1 (Respectful Community & Workplace Policy) and PC2 (Sexualized Violence Policy)
- Develop a working relationship with AMS Advocacy, the UBC Ombudsperson, UBC Equity and Inclusion, and other AMS Services
- Market and promote the office to the UBC community, in consultation with the Communications Manager
- Recruit, train, and supervise the Deputy Ombudsperson and volunteer caseworkers as required
- Assist in the training of successor, consulting with other relevant groups as required
- Work with the AMS mission statement and values to operate a successful department
- Prepare a detailed budget and provide operational and financial reports as required
- Gather student feedback during the year and keep statistics on the office
- Liaise with relevant internal and external groups as required
- Report office progress to AMS Council as required
- Attend AMS Council meetings when requested
- Uphold the standards of the Ombuds Office
- Manage administrative details of the office
- Maintain ten (10) weekly office hours
- Other duties as required
Qualifications and Experience
- May not hold any other position (elected or appointed) within the AMS and its organizations
- Former ombudsperson, arbitrator, investigator, and mediator experience is a strong asset
- Ability to commit to the Ombudsperson position for several annual terms is a strong asset
- Former experience in an executive role within the AMS and/or its organization is a strong asset
- Familiarity and a clear understanding of AMS policies PC1 (Respectful Community & Workplace Policy) and PC2 (Sexualized Violence Policy)
- Strong sense of the meanings and implications of confidentiality and impartiality
- Strong communication, listening, interview, and interpersonal skills
- Strong sense of professionalism and commitment to thoroughness
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively
- Knowledge regarding university and faculty policies
- Excellent statutory and policy interpretation skills
- Ability to be both assertive and understanding
- Extensive experience in conflict resolution
- Strong case management skills
- Excellent facilitation skills
To Apply:
Please submit your resume and cover letter. Reference Letters will be read and considered; however, they are not mandatory.
Application deadline: 11:59pm Sunday, March 23.
At the AMS, we believe that a diverse workforce enriches our organization and we value individual life experiences, knowledge and self-expression that different people bring. We actively seek to create an environment where all employees, regardless of their background, race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, or any other characteristics, feel valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their best.
We warmly welcome and encourage individuals from any underrepresented group to apply for this position. We are dedicated to maintaining fair and inclusive practices in our hiring, promotion, and professional development processes to create the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.
Due to the large volume of resumes we receive at the AMS, we are only able to contact those we are interested in interviewing and cannot reply to email/phone/walk-in inquiries regarding application status.
Other details
- Pay Type Salary
- 6133 University Boulevard, 6133 University Boulevard, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada