Director of Religious and Spiritual Life and College Chaplain – Gettysburg College

Please visit our website to submit application materials (cover letter, resume and contact information for three professional references) through our on-line system:  https://gettysburg.peopleadmin.com/postings/3984. For full consideration, please submit application materials by Friday, November 12, 2021.

Director of Religious and Spiritual Life and College Chaplain

Gettysburg College

Gettysburg College, in historic Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, is seeking an experienced professional for a full-time position as the Director of Religious and Spiritual Life and College Chaplain. Gettysburg is an undergraduate liberal arts and sciences college, which enrolls approximately 2,600 primarily residential students. The College is seeking a dynamic and innovative individual who has a student-centered and collaborative background to serve in this position. Reporting to the Associate Vice President for College Life, the person in the position will work closely with departments and colleagues across the institution in support of fostering a vibrant and inclusive residential community.

The Director of Religious and Spiritual Life and College Chaplain will provide leadership in developing multifaith and interfaith programs and offerings including educational initiatives focused on spiritual issues, justice, ethics, and values in both formal and informal settings. The Director is also responsible for coordinating a team of advisors to religious and spiritually-focused student organizations including the Hillel Director, Muslim Student Association Advisor, Catholic Campus Ministries Director, and Catholic Priest. The Director will also assist in the coordination of and participate in key campus events including Baccalaureate, Commencement, Homecoming, and Family Weekend and enhance collaboration with religious and spiritual resources in the local community.

The Director will also be responsible for aligning the mission and goals of the Center for Religious and Spiritual Life with the broader goals of the College, including a strong focus on diversity, inclusion, and belonging. Candidates must be intentionally open and thoughtful in working with those of faiths different from self and with those who describe themselves as spiritual but not religious or as having no religious affiliation or belief.  The Director must possess a strong desire to work with college students of diverse cultural backgrounds and religious traditions, particularly traditionally underserved populations (i.e. first-generation college students, students from low-income households, students of color, and/or LGBTQ+ students). 

The Director and Chaplain will:

• Provide thoughtful pastoral care for students, faculty, staff, alumni and other members of the college community regarding emotional, religious, educational, social, professional, and civic issues.
• Support the religious and spiritual development of all students including those who are atheist, agnostic, seeking, or secular.
• Engage students in the exploration of values, faith, belief, and religious and spiritual practice.
• Write, speak, and remain current on social justice issues of concern to higher education and society.
• Collaborate with other offices including Multicultural Engagement, Gender and Sexuality, and International Student Services.
• Constitute and advise Interfaith Council and support of interfaith dialogue with the objective of establishing a respectful environment for multi-faith dialogue in the campus community.
• Coordinate memorials, remembrances, and vigils for the community, as needed.
• Assist and facilitate student attendance at worship services in the local community.
• Administrative aspects: Supervise a part-time administrative assistant and student staff; maintain vibrant Religious and Spiritual Life webpage and events calendar presence; represent the College Life Division in applicable meetings on and off campus; and, utilize assessment in measuring departmental effectiveness.

In keeping with its strategic focus, Gettysburg College is interested in candidates who have demonstrated a commitment to providing leadership in building an inclusive, equitable and diverse campus community. Applicants must be student-centered and able to connect with a broad array of faculty and administrative colleagues. Candidates should demonstrate qualities of innovation and creativity that help foster vibrant and engaged residential communities and a demonstrated record in supporting and advocating for inclusion across a broad spectrum of campus life. 

Qualifications - Successful candidates will:

• ·         Possess a Master’s Degree or equivalent in higher education, counseling, divinity, social work, religious studies, or relevant field is required.
• ·         Be ordained or hold recognized standing in a religious tradition that would permit the performance or roles related to the college chaplaincy.
• ·         Have a minimum of three years of experience working in higher education and/or possess and demonstrate transferrable skills and experience.

·         Have a commitment to and track record of success related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice.

·         Possess and demonstrate an ability to work collaboratively with students, faculty, and staff.

·         Demonstrate outstanding interpersonal and intercultural communication skills.

·         Work independently yet collaboratively, provide attention to detail, balance multiple projects, and meet deadlines successfully.

Preferred education and experience include:

·         An earned terminal degree in higher education, counseling, divinity, social work, religious studies, or relevant field.

·         Five or more years of full-time professional experience in higher education working with the religious and spiritual and developmental needs of college students.

·         Previous experience in working in a liberal arts context is preferred; the ability to translate past work to a liberal arts context is required.

The Director of Religious and Spiritual Life and College Chaplain is an 11-month (approximately July 15 to June 15), full-time administrative appointment. Salary and title are commensurate with experience and complemented by an excellent benefits package. Please visit our website to submit application materials (cover letter, resume and contact information for three professional references) through our on-line system:  https://gettysburg.peopleadmin.com/postings/3984. For full consideration, please submit application materials by Friday, November 12, 2021. Gettysburg College is committed to creating a more diverse community and the College encourages candidates from historically underrepresented groups to apply.

Gettysburg College, an equal opportunity employer, complies with all applicable federal, state, local laws and regulations regarding nondiscrimination. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and admission. The College prohibits discrimination and harassment, and provides equal opportunity without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, marital/familial status, possession of a General Education Development Certificate (GED) as compared to a high school diploma, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, sex, age, or genetic information in all aspects of employment, educational programs, activities, and admissions. Pursuant to Title IX of the Education Amendment of 1972, Gettysburg College prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex (i.e., which includes but is not limited to the prohibition of sexual misconduct and relationship violence, including sexual assault and harassment) in all of its educational programs and activities.