FINRA Offers Summer 2012 Externship

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority is offering an unpaid externship with its Office of the Ombudsman in Rockville, MD. The extern will work with FINRA Ombuds staff from May 21, 2012 through August 10, 2012 for up to 35 hours per week.

Duties will include a variety of tasks including research, analyses and writing, document review, as well as providing assistance in developing statistical reports, as well as quarterly and annual management reports preparing for investigative testimony and hearings. Applicants must submit a resume, cover letter and graduate school transcript; Only candidates pursuing graduate studies will be considered. Knowledge of securities and ADR preferred, but not required. (FINRA Careers.)

Related post: SEC Affirms Role of NASD Ombuds; Securities Broker-Dealers Indicate Dissatisfaction with FINRA Ombuds; FINRA Directors Defend Ombuds Program.

Werner Institute Student Interns With University of Minnesota Ombuds

The latest issue of the Werner Institute Newsletter features an article about a student practicum at the University of Minnesota Student Conflict Resolution Center. Ombuds and Director of the UM SCRC, Jan Morse agreed to take on Werner student Janda Brittain as her first-ever intern.

Brittain writes:

My first priority as a member of the Ombudsman Staff at the SCRC was to work and respond to active cases. I had the opportunity to work a number of cases on my own with the assistance of the other Ombudsman. These cases ranged from issues with Financial Aid, to students accused of academic plagiarism. With each case that I took on, I learned more about a policy or procedure at the University of Minnesota.

She says the experience helped her get a better perspective on the direction of her career path. (Creighton Institute Newsletter.)

Related posts: Werner Institute Opens Portal for ADR Community; Five Long Days With a Hospital Ombuds; University of Minnesota Ombuds Reports Substantial Monetary Benefits for Students.

FINRA Offers Spring 2012 Externship

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority is offering an unpaid externship in its Rockville, MD office. The extern will work with FINRA Ombuds staff in the spring 2012 semester for 15-20 hours per week.


Duties will include a variety of tasks including research, analyses and writing, document review, as well as providing assistance in developing statistical reports, as well as quarterly and annual management reports preparing for investigative testimony and hearings. Applicants must submit a resume, cover letter and graduate school transcript. Knowledge of securities and ADR preferred, but not required. (FINRA Careers.)

Externship: United Nations

The Office of the United Nations Ombudsman and Mediation Services is offering multiple internships in its NY headquarters and regional offices around the world. The two-month, full-time, unpaid internships offer the chance to support the office in several areas, including: mediation services; identification of systemic issues; outreach and advocacy; and preparing data and reports.

Applicants must be enrolled in a graduate degree program and be computer literate in standard software applications. Work experience or knowledge of a foreign language is not required. The posting period for the positions runs through February 29, 2012. (UN Jobs.)

Related posts: UN Ombuds Reports on Reorganization Efforts; UN Ombuds Reports Growing Demand for Service; Fully Staffed UN Ombuds Program Issues Report on 2009 Activities. 

Internship: National Institutes of Health

The NIH Office of the Ombudsman / Center for Cooperative Resolution in Bethesda, MD is offering two full-time internships: one in January-March 2012 and the other in March-June 2012. (Exact start and end dates are negotiable.) Under the supervision of an NIH mentor, the interns will focus on one major project and will observe and assist with individual consultation sessions; mediation processes; group facilitation; conflict resolution system development and assessment; conflict-related research; and trend identification based on aggregate data.

Applicants must current enrolled in or recently graduated from (less than one year) a graduate-level academic program in conflict or dispute resolution, legal studies with an emphasis on dispute resolution or mediation, or a closely related field. Applicants also should be familiar with conflict resolution theory and have discretion and confidentiality. Knowledge of the Organizational Ombudsman role is preferred. The internships are unpaid. Applications for both positions are due by September 16, 2011. (NIH Ombuds.)

Related posts: National Institutes of Health Appoints Deputy and Two Associate Ombuds; National Institutes of Health Ombuds Website Gets Facelift.

Volunteer Opportunity: Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District

The regional greenbelt system near San Francisco Bay is seeking a volunteer Ombudsperson to assist residents in their interactions with the District and facilitates conflict resolution when needed. The District Ombuds is appointed by the Board of Directors and to work independently and provide objective upward feedback when appropriate.

Applicants should have facilitation and conflict resolution skills; familiarity with the District mission and purpose; and knowledge of land and property use issues. This is a one-year, part-time, unpaid position. Expenses incurred in the course of business will be fully reimbursed. District volunteers are covered by Workers’ Compensation insurance. Application deadline is August 22. (MROSD.)

Although the position is precluded from "issues that are privileged or confidential, or which involve personnel, labor relations, legal matters, or Board decisions," this may still be an attractive opportunity to gain relevant work experience with an Ombuds title.

Externship: Financial Industry Regulatory Authority

FINRA is offering an unpaid externship in its Rockville, MD office. The extern will work with FINRA Ombuds staff in the fall 2011 semester for 15-20 hours per week. 

Duties will include a variety of tasks including research, analyses and writing, document review, as well as providing assistance in developing statistical reports, as well as quarterly and annual management reports preparing for investigative testimony and hearings. Applicants must submit a resume, cover letter and graduate school transcript. Knowledge of securities and ADR preferred, but not required. (FINRA Careers.)

Note: The original posting indicated that the position was in Washington, DC with a time commitment of 25-30 hours per week. These details have been updated.

University of Texas Hiring Graduate Assistant Ombuds

The Office of the Ombudsperson at UT Austin will hire a 20-Hour Graduate Assistant Ombudsperson for a 4½-month appointment. The position will assist students with university-related concerns following IOA principles, and assists in the office as needed. Compensation depends on experience and education, and includes benefits. Lauren Bloom is the Ombudsperson for Students. (UTexas HESPA Blog.)

Related posts: University of Texas Ombuds Office Celebrates 40 Years; University of Texas Posts Intake Form.

Externship: American Red Cross

The Red Cross Office of the Corporate Ombudsman in Washington, DC is accepting applications for a summer intership. The opportunity is open to graduate students working towards a degree in Sociology, Psychology, Law or Conflict Resolution.

The full-time intern may assist with the following activities:

• Redesign of case management database;
• Data capture and data analysis in support of the development and publication of an annual report that goes to Congress;
• Identify and explore tactics to best reach employees and volunteers to share the services of our office; and
• Develop processes and protocols in support of the volunteer cadre formed to offer Ombudsman services either during regular time or during a disaster related spike.

No deadline or stipend are indicated in the posting. (American Red Cross Careers, requisition no. NHQ9991.)

Related posts: Red Cross Issues Second Annual Report; American Red Cross Appoints Deputy Ombuds; Harvard Law Students Assist Red Cross Ombuds Office With Strategic Research.

Externship: Financial Industry Regulatory Authority

FINRA is offering an unpaid summer externship in its Washington, DC office. The extern will work with FINRA Ombuds staff in the Summer 2011 semester for 15-20 hours per week.

Duties will include a variety of tasks including research, analyses and writing, document review, as well as providing assistance in developing statistical reports, as well as quarterly and annual management reports preparing for investigative testimony and hearings. Applicants must submit a resume, cover letter and graduate school transcript. Knowledge of securities and ADR preferred, but not required. (FINRA Careers.)

Related post: FINRA Directors Defend Ombuds Program.

Externship: Financial Industry Regulatory Authority

FINRA is offering unpaid externships for graduate students in its Washington, DC office. The externs will work with FINRA Ombuds staff in the Spring 2011 semester for 15-20 hours per week.

Duties will include a variety of tasks including research, analyses and writing, document review, as well as providing assistance in developing statistical reports, as well as quarterly and annual management reports preparing for investigative testimony and hearings. Applicants must submit a resume, cover letter and graduate school transcript. Knowledge of securities and ADR preferred, but not required. (FINRA Careers.)

Related post: Securities Broker-Dealers Indicate Dissatisfaction with FINRA Ombuds

Job Posting.

Five Long Days With a Hospital Ombuds

The latest Werner Institute Newsletter offers a glimpse into the life of an Ombuds working at a major medical center. Creighton University grad student Mike Miller spent five days shadowing Laurie Patterson, the Ombuds for Akron General Hospital.

Miller, who has hospital experience himself, describes a grueling schedule. "I quickly discovered that the Akron General Hospital Ombuds runs a half-marathon every day, going from meeting to meeting and having employees stop by her office with little to no warning."  He points out that Patterson is unique among hospital Ombuds in that she does not handle patient matters. Instead, her "sole responsibility to focus her efforts on conflict engagement of all staff members – from housekeeping and maintenance staff to vice presidents and surgeons." He was justifiably awestruck by Patterson's work. (Werner Institute Win/Win.)

Related posts: Ombuds Help Hospitals Meet Joint Commission Standards; Werner Institute Opens Portal for ADR Community

Internship Opportunity: National Institutes of Health

The NIH Office of the Ombudsman / Center for Cooperative Resolution is offering an summer internship in Bethesda, MD. Under the supervision of an NIH mentor, the intern will focus on one major project and will observe and assist with individual consultation sessions; mediation processes; group facilitation; conflict resolution system development and assessment; conflict-related research; and trend identification based on aggregate data. Applicants must be familiar with conflict resolution theory and have discretion and confidentiality. Knowledge of the Organizational Ombudsman role is helpful. The internship is a paid position; hours and duration to be determined. (Harvard PON Blog.)

Related posts: DC Area Ombuds Internships (2009); NIH Ombuds Addresses the Complexities of Race-Related Conflict.

Externship: Financial Industry Regulatory Authority

FINRA is offering unpaid externships for graduate students in its Washington, DC office. The externs will work with FINRA Ombuds staff in performing a variety of tasks including research, analyses and writing, document review, as well as providing assistance in developing statistical reports, as well as quarterly and annual management reports preparing for investigative testimony and hearings. Applicants must submit a resume, cover letter and graduate school transcript. (FINRA Careers.)

Washington State Education Ombuds Seeks Intern

The Washington Office of the Education Ombudsman has an immediate opening for an office intern to work closely with staff in projects related to conflict resolution intake, public information, data collection, research and public relations. The internship in Seattle is not paid interns must commit to work a minimum of 20 hours per week for at least 3 months. Positions are available year round. (Washington OEO.)

Related post: Washington State Education Ombudsman Begins Offering Services; Washington State Schools Ombuds Describes First Year.

DC Area Ombuds Internships

Erin Troy and the DC Area Ombuds Group have compiled an outstanding list of internship opportunities for those interested in the field.

• Department of Homeland Security, Office of the CIS Ombudsman (year-round opportunities);
• Inter-American Development Bank, Office of the Ombudsman (summer and winter semesters, paid, Spanish proficiency required);
• Food and Drug Administration, Office of the Ombudsman (summer);
• Department of Education, Federal Student Aid Office of the Ombudsman (summer plus);
• National Public Radio (all three semesters); and
• National Institutes of Health, Office of the Ombudsman / Center for Cooperative Resolution (paid).

More details available from the Peace and Collaborative Development Network website. (InternationalPeaceandConflict.org.)

Other offices that have offered internships include: Princeton; UCLA; UC Riverside; and United Nations.

Related post: Updated Joint Conference Schedule (Externs in the Ombuds Office).

UC Riverside Ombuds Expands Extern/Intern Program

Indu Sen, the Ombuds for the University of California Riverside, has announced that a UCR student will hold the first Forrest S. Mosten Internship in Conflict Resolution and Peace Studies. Sen also hopes to appoint a second, paid internship funded by Southern California Mediation Association shortly. At that point, the UCR Ombuds Office will have an extern performing the functions of an Associate Ombudsman, and two interns performing non-confidential duties and developing a campus mediation program. Sen says that offices struggling with a lack of resources can find creative ways to find help and be more effective.

UC Riverside Launches Externship Program

Office of the Ombudsman at the University of California, Riverside has launched an externship program. Soraiya Campbell, who is finishing her Masters in Dispute Resolution at the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, is expected to start this week for a summer-long externship. As an extern, Campbell will shadow the University Ombudsman Indu Sen, see visitors and follow up on cases, and assist the office develop conflict resolution programs, among other duties. The UCR Ombuds office is following a similar externship format as the UC Irvine Ombuds office by providing externs with a structure yet the independence to find their own practice style.

Related posts: UC Riverside Appoints Ombuds; Profile of UC Riverside Ombuds.

UCLA Seeks Extern

The Ombuds Office at UCLA is looking to recruit an unpaid extern to receive outstanding supervision by a highly experienced ombuds. After training, the extern will have the opportunity to handle cases independently. (Straus Institute Jobs.)

Princeton Offering Internship

The Princeton University ombuds office is offering an unpaid internship for a graduate or post-doctoral student familiar with conflict resolution theory and mediation. Princeton students are not eligible. Hours and duration of internship to be determined; a travel stipend may be available. (Via Part of the Solution ADR Services.)