Important Recruitment Information for this vacancy:

• Job Posting closes: Open until filled.

The Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman; an independent state agency within the Office of Public Advocates, is attached to the Department of Administration. The Office is headed by Camille Russell, State Long-Term Care Ombudsman appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate in 2021.

This program is a historical model for person centered practices; delivering individual respect and dignity as a core function. The program is authorized by the federal Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1975; 42 U.S. Code, Section 3058g and K.S.A. 75-7301 et seq.

Ombudsmen provide information and assistance, advocacy, training, and education to strengthen the long-term care system. Ombudsman investigate complaints concerning the health, safety, welfare, and rights of long-term care residents, and are resident directed in their work to resolve these complaints to the satisfaction of the residents of long-term care services.

https://ombudsman.ks.gov/

About the Position:

• Who can apply: Anyone
• Classified/Unclassified Service: Unclassified
• Full/Part-time: Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary: Temporary
• Eligible to Receive Benefits: Yes
• Veterans’ Preference Eligible: Yes

Compensation:

• Hourly Pay Range: $18.00 to $21.15

Note: Salary can vary depending upon education, experience, or qualifications.

Employment Benefits:

• First day of employment coverage under the State Employee Health Plan (SEHP) for medical and prescription drug coverage and dental plan.
• Additional voluntary options including vision, hospital indemnity, accident and critical illness insurance plans and flexible spending accounts.
• SEHP members and their covered family members have access to the HealthQuest Health Center at 9th and Kansas Avenue in Topeka for in person and virtual health care services.
• Sick & Vacation leave
• Work-Life Balance programs: parental leave, military leave, jury leave, funeral leave
• Paid State Holidays (designated by the Governor annually)
• Employee discounts with the STAR Program
• Retirement and deferred compensation programs

Visit the Employee Benefits page for more information.

Position Summary:

Long-Term Care Ombudsman

The Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman is seeking an individual to provide person centered advocacy for residents of long-term care facilities. Provides information and assistance to empower residents. Investigates complaints for, or on behalf of, residents to resolve them to their satisfaction. Recruits, trains, and supervises certified volunteer ombudsmen and provides case consultation to ensure proper resolution of complaints. Other assignments as designated by State Long-Term Care Ombudsman

Provides training and education to residents, their family, and staff of long-term care facility staff and the larger community to aid their knowledge of residents’ rights and the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program. Regional Ombudsman position will require day travel to conduct routine and complaint visits to adult care homes in multiple counties within a geographical region of the State. Employee will be assigned a state issued vehicle.

This position requires you to be able to work effectively and efficiently independently.

You must have access to the internet and dedicated work space to support confidential phone, email and virtual communications and other work from home requirements of the position. Must have the ability to day travel 50%, or more as needed, to do routine visits to adult care homes, community education events and other work-related activities.

Must be able to:

Complete LTC ombudsman certification training, have a working knowledge of computer operations including Microsoft Office applications, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, virtual conferencing and web database utilization.

Read and interpret laws and regulations pertaining to nursing facilities and long-term care issues.

Exhibit good oral and written communications skills.

Accurately complete forms and maintain records.

Exercise excellent independent judgment and time management skills.

Have experience in investigation, negotiation, and conflict resolution procedures.

Maintain confidentiality and perform the job without conflict of interest.

Qualifications:

Licensing & Certification: Must have a valid driver’s license.

Minimum Qualifications: An undergraduate degree from a four-year college or university (preferred but not mandatory); and the equivalent of three (3) years of full-time work experience with at least two years of aging, long-term care or related fields. At least one year in a consultative or supervisory capacity is desirable.

Comparable experience may be substituted at the discretion of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman.

Be free of conflicts of interest.

Satisfactorily complete the required training to be certified as an ombudsman.

Complete 18 hours of in-service training annually, training must be provided or approved by the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman.

Preferred Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in a related field.

Post-Offer, Pre-employment Requirements: As a condition of employment, you will be subject to a criminal background check.

Recruiter Contact Information:

• Name: Kim Warren
• Email: dofapersonnel@ks.gov
• Phone: 785-296-4770
• Mailing Address: Department of Administration Personnel Office, 900 SW Jackson, Room 401-N, Topeka, KS 66612

Job Application Process

• First Sign in or register as a New User.
• Complete or update your contact information on the Careers> My Contact Information page. *This information is included on all your job applications.
• Upload required documents listed below for the Careers> My Job Applications page.
• Start your draft job application, upload other required documents, and Submit when it is complete.
  • Manage your draft and submitted applications on the Careers> My Job Applications page.
• Check your email and My Job Notifications for written communications from the Recruiter.
  • Email – sent to the Preferred email on the My Contact Information page
  • Notifications – view the Careers> My Job Notifications page

Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov: “How to Apply for a Job – Instructions” and “How to Search for a Job – Instructions”

Required documents for this application to be complete:

Upload the DD214 (if you are claiming Veteran’s Preference) on the Careers - My Job Applications page.

Upload these on the Attachments step in your Job Application:

• Cover Letter
• Resume

Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov: “How, What, & Where do I Upload Documents”

How to Claim Veterans Preference

Veterans’ Preference Eligible (VPE): Former military personnel or their spouse that have been verified as a "veteran"; under K.S.A. 73-201 will receive an interview if they meet the minimum competency factors of the position. The veterans' preference laws do not guarantee the veteran a job. Positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determine by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Veteran’s Preference

Equal Employment Opportunity

The State of Kansas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential elements that create and foster a welcoming workplace. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.

If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the recruiter.