Position Openings

We are not accepting applications for ombuds at this time.

About the Ombuds Office

The Ombuds Office was created to provide an alternative resource for all UW–Madison employees (faculty, limited appointees, academic staff, university staff, graduate assistants, post-docs, and student staff members) seeking assistance with work-related issues.

The Ombuds Office is comprised of retired UW employees representing faculty, limited appointees, academic staff, and university staff who have developed their expertise from decades of service on this campus in different disciplines and different roles. Ombuds provide an informal, safe, confidential opportunity for employees to be heard; explore concerns; and consider resources, options, and strategies for next steps to address workplace problems. Ombuds are impartial and work independently from university administrative offices, advocating for fairness and equity in the workplace, rather than representing any side in a dispute. Essential skills routinely used by an ombuds include engaged listening, issue reframing, and development of options including referring visitors to other offices on campus, and helping people help themselves.

Ombuds are selected from among interested retired faculty, limited appointees, academic staff, and university staff to achieve the greatest breadth and depth for the program, and a balance among these categories of employees is desired to maintain representation from all employee categories. Ombuds generally serve a single term of 37 months and are appointed part-time, receiving compensation for approximately 10 hours of work per week.