College Chaplain

Amherst has taken a leadership role among highly selective liberal arts colleges and universities in successfully diversifying the racial, socio-economic, and geographic profile of its student body. The College is similarly committed to enriching its educational experience and its culture through the diversity of its faculty, administration and staff.

Job Description:

Amherst College invites applications for the Chaplain position. The Chaplain is a full-time, year-round position. The expected range for this position is $80,000-85,000 per year.

The salary offered will vary based on a number of factors, including but not limited to relevant education, training, and experience, tenure status, and other nondiscriminatory business considerations. Amherst College is pleased to provide a comprehensive, highly competitive benefits package that meets the needs of staff and faculty and their families. Click here for Benefits Information.

The College Chaplain serves as a senior religious and spiritual life practitioner within the Center for Religious and Spiritual Life, providing leadership for chaplaincy, spiritual care, and religious and interfaith programming. Reporting to the Director of Religious and Spiritual Life, the Chaplain supports the holistic development and well-being of students by fostering spaces for meaning-making, reflection, ethical inquiry, and belonging across religious, spiritual, and secular identities. The role emphasizes pastoral presence, interfaith engagement, student leadership development, and collaboration with campus partners to advance an inclusive and supportive campus culture.

The Center for Religious and Spiritual Life is part of the Office of Identity and Cultural Resources within the Division of Student Affairs. The College Chaplain will work collaboratively on shared projects and initiatives with the Office of Identity and Cultural Resources- composed of Amherst's six identity-based resource centers, including: the Center for International Student Engagement, Multicultural Resource Center, Class and Access Resource Center, Queer Resource Center, and the Women's & Gender Center.

Summary of Duties and Responsibilities:

Pastoral Presence, Programming, and Community Engagement

• Provide a visible, welcoming pastoral presence that supports students' spiritual exploration, meaning-making, and sense of belonging.
• Design and facilitate inclusive religious, spiritual, and cultural programs that respond to student needs and interests.
• Support and attend student-initiated programs and gatherings, including those held during evenings, weekends, and significant religious or spiritual observances, as schedules allow.
• Foster community connection and engagement while contributing to a campus culture that values religious diversity, spiritual wellness, and mutual respect.

Pastoral Care, Advising, and Student Support

• Provide one-on-one and group pastoral and spiritual care to students, and when time allows, to faculty and staff, including support during times of grief, crisis, transition, or discernment.
• Serve as a confidential and trusted resource, maintaining appropriate professional, ethical, and institutional boundaries.
• Advise and mentor student leaders and student organizations connected to religious and spiritual life.
• Assist students in navigating questions related to identity, belonging, values, and religious or spiritual accommodations, in consultation with the Director of Religious & Spiritual Life and Student Affairs as appropriate.

Multifaith Engagement and Institutional Collaboration

• Collaborate with Religious & Spiritual Life staff and campus partners to support multifaith and interfaith dialogue, learning, and programming.
• Partner with OICR staff to develop educational programs and workshops that center identity, power, belonging, and community across religious, spiritual, and secular contexts. Coordinate and participate in campus-wide religious and spiritual events such as vigils, ceremonies, and College traditions (e.g., Baccalaureate), as appropriate to the role.
• Build and maintain relationships with local faith-based and community organizations to support student connection and referral when appropriate.
• Contribute to a campus culture that values religious diversity, spiritual wellness, and mutual respect across belief systems.
• Serve on College-wide committees, contributing to cross-campus collaboration, including but not limited to Orientation, Family Weekend, and Reunion.

Administrative Responsibilities and Professional Practice

• Hold regular office hours and maintain timely, professional communication with students and campus partners.
• Attend Religious & Spiritual Life staff meetings and other meetings appropriate to the role and scheduled hours.
• Engage in ongoing professional development and remain informed about best practices in chaplaincy and higher education.

Qualifications:

Required

• Master's degree or equivalent graduate training in theology, divinity, religious studies, ministry, or a related discipline, and at least four years of professional experience in college chaplaincy, campus ministry, spiritual care, student affairs, or a comparable setting with college-age populations.
• Strong understanding of major world religions, along with familiarity with both traditional and contemporary approaches to spiritual life, meaning-making, and wellbeing.
• Demonstrated capacity to support individuals and groups across a wide range of religious, spiritual, secular, and non-theistic frameworks, and to collaborate effectively with students and colleagues from diverse religious and cultural traditions.
• Proven ability to design, lead, and manage inclusive and engaging programs in a culturally and religiously diverse environment, while balancing multiple priorities and responsibilities.
• Experience facilitating both large and small group settings, including worship, ritual, educational programs, and discussion-based gatherings.
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and leadership skills.
• Experience mentoring or supervising student leaders, interns, or peer educators.
• Knowledge of best practices in pastoral care and counseling, with a strong commitment to confidentiality, ethical practice, and professional boundaries.
• Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends in support of student programming and campus needs.
• Successful completion of required reference and background checks.