Job Description

Amherst College invites applications for the Christian Chaplain position. The Christian Chaplain is a part-time, casual, non-benefited position. The expected range for this position is $30.00-33.00 per hour.

The Christian Chaplain is a part-time, academic-year casual position with no benefits. The position runs mid-August through May, with pauses for certain holidays and school breaks.

The Christian Chaplain serves a vital function in the Center for Religious and Spiritual Life (RSL) by supporting our Christian community, (particularly students) as well as the broader campus community. While primarily focused on Christian programming, advising, and pastoral care, the Christian Chaplain also contributes to interfaith, contemplative, and service programs sponsored by RSL.

Summary of Duties and Responsibilities

Programs:

• Provides for religious programming on campus and makes all reasonable efforts to accommodate the religious and spiritual needs of Christian students as well as faculty and staff
• Co plans and supports campus wide Christian rituals and services with students and RSL staff, and contributes to Religious and Spiritual Life programming such as interfaith panels, service events, Baccalaureate, vigils, and retreats.
• Participates in College committees as eligible and able
• Makes provision for weddings and funerals for the campus community and alumni/ae as requested and as available

Advising:

• Advises Christian student groups that may emerge (aside from ACF) including leadership development and mentoring with their student leaders
• Develop strategies for contacting and serving uninvolved/under-involved students
• Provide one-on-one and group spiritual counseling and pastoral care to students navigating faith, doubt, identity, or belonging within a pluralistic campus context
• Serve the campus community in times of crisis

Administrative:

• Hold regular office hours
• Attend regularly scheduled Religious & Spiritual Life staff meetings, OICR team meetings, and Student Affairs division meetings.
• Communicate in a timely manner with students and staff
• Consult with the Director of Religious and Spiritual Life on matters related to policy, crisis response, and institutional representation
• Stay current with trends in chaplaincy by maintaining membership in the Association for Chaplaincy and Spiritual Life in Higher Education (ACSLHE) or comparable organizations.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree
• Trained in Christian tradition and able to facilitate Christian worship, prayer, and fellowship gatherings
• Organizational and pastoral care skills
• Ability to teach Christian tenets and provide a welcoming ministry to a diverse student population and the College community
• Previous professional work and/or volunteer experience, preferably in a Christian organization and/or working with college-age adults
• Self-motivation and the ability to work independently, while also appreciating supervision and teamwork
• A commitment to creating an inclusive, vibrant, and pluralistic Christian community
• Ability to effectively engage students at all levels in Christian life and to serve as a resource in a pluralistic setting
• Ability to work flexible hours to engage students and attend events
• Strong oral, written, and non-verbal communication skills
• An ability to manage logistics and multiple tasks with competing deadlines
• Creative problem-solving
• Successful completion of required reference and background checks

Preferred

• Master of Divinity or equivalent with a focus on Christian ministry, ordination in a Christian tradition
• Christian, religious, and/or pastoral work in a higher education setting
• Experience working in higher education chaplaincy or student affairs settings