The Chaplain of the College/Director of Religious and Spiritual Life will lead, direct and have oversight of the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life. Primary areas of focus include setting a vision for the office, cultivating an inclusive and welcoming environment, and fostering a community that celebrates and engages with a multitude of faith traditions and worldviews. The Chaplain/Director of Religious and Spiritual Life will design and lead opportunities for students in a residential, liberal arts setting with the goal of cultivating their social, spiritual, and ethical development. Establishing and maintaining good relationships with all campus constituents, especially student religious groups, as well as religious organizations in the greater community is also an expectation for the role.

Spiritual Care and Education

• Assess the spiritual needs of students and initiate and participate in community building, religious programming, and education for a variety of religious traditions, as warranted and requested.
• Offer spiritual counseling to students and develop pastoral relationships with the campus community.
• Plan and conduct vigils and other public events in response to crises or events of historic significance.
• Plan a retreat for student leaders within the office of Religious and Spiritual Life, and foster communication between the various student religious groups.
• Coordinate and supervise student leaders and advisers who work closely with religious groups.
• Educate the campus on the intersection between faith and meaning, and social justice.
• Assist in organizing regular faith and meaning events alone or in collaboration with student groups, faculty, and staff.

Supervision and Campus-wide Engagement

• Oversee the office of Religious and Spiritual Life, manage its budget, and supervise its staff.
• Supervise the Jewish Life Coordinator, who will have primary responsibility for working closely with Hillel.
• Supervise the Chapel Leaders program to foster leadership development and provide opportunities for student-led programming.
• Participate in campus-wide celebrations, including Convocation and Commencement, and work with campus partners to coordinate Baccalaureate.
• Serve on the Beloved Community committee and coordinate the Interfaith Service to coincide with MLK Week programming.

Community

• Foster collaborations with local and regional churches, synagogues, and mosques.
• Maintain relationships with local clergy, and other religious bodies with whom the college has institutional connections.

• An advanced degree in religion (M.A., M.T.S., M.Div., Th.M.) is required. Applicant does not have to be ordained but must have firm grounding in a faith tradition.
• Experience providing pastoral care or counseling in a professional position.
• Experience in college chaplaincy, and a strong understanding of traditional college age students in the residential liberal arts setting.
• Experience with interfaith dialogue or interfaith relations, and demonstrated commitment to religious diversity, healthy interreligious relations, and social justice.
• Ability to be ecumenical and inclusive in all aspects of ministry. The director must demonstrate respect for all faith expressions (and acceptance toward persons of no faith) and be enthusiastic about ministry to all persons and must be ready to assist in the celebration of various faith expressions that exist on campus.
• Appreciation of, and commitment to further an inclusive culture for those of diverse backgrounds, such as ability, age, class, ethnicity, faith, gender, neurodiversity, race, and sexual orientation.
• Maintain relevant denominational and professional memberships.

Interested candidates should apply here. Once you create an applicant account, you will be prompted to upload your cover letter, resume, and a list with contact information for three references to the applicant database.

Ursinus is an EO/AA employer. Ursinus College does not discriminate on grounds of race, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, age, creed, ancestry, veteran status, marital status, disability, or other classification protected by applicable law in the administration of any of its educational programs or activities or with respect to employment.