THIS POSITION IS ON THE OXFORD COLLEGE OF EMORY UNIVERSITY CAMPUS, 36 MILES EAST OF ATLANTA.
JOB DESCRIPTION:
The Oxford College Chaplain and Director of Spiritual and Religious Life is responsible for facilitating and providing pastoral and spiritual care and counseling for the Oxford College community as a part of the Campus Life staff. This role involves planning and conducting religious services, offering consultation on ethical issues, and providing individual and group counseling sessions, including crisis intervention. Supports the work of multiple religious and spiritual life organizations at Oxford College, assists with leadership programs, and may develop and facilitate various support groups. Additionally, participates in or chairs committees, helps plan, implement, and evaluate programs, and assists in establishing new initiatives. The Director is committed to providing a welcoming and supportive spiritual and religious campus climate to a diverse student population by actively participating in efforts to create a respectful and inclusive environment.
Key Responsibilities
Interfaith and Ethical Initiatives:
- Facilitates and provides pastoral and spiritual care for the Oxford College community, including planning and conducting religious services, offering ethical consultations.
- Leads interfaith and ethical discussions on social justice and global issues, fostering critical reflection on values and responsibilities.
- Develops programs that align spiritual values with leadership training, ethical inquiry, and service, encouraging active campus engagement with pressing social issues.
- Promotes understanding, respect, and collaboration through dialogues that bridge diverse religious and cultural backgrounds.
Program Development and Leadership:
- Develops, implements, and assesses programs that support spiritual growth and interfaith engagement, such as interfaith dialogue, mindfulness retreats, and cultural or religious holiday celebrations.
- Leads initiatives for service and social justice, allowing the campus community to express their beliefs through community action and creating meaningful change on campus and beyond.
- Manages religious life resources, budget, and staff, ensuring the effective support of spiritual multi-faith initiatives and alignment with the college's mission.
Student Support and Mentorship:
- Offers mentorship and pastoral care for students of all backgrounds, providing guidance for those exploring spirituality or questioning their beliefs.
- Facilitates support groups that provide safe spaces for marginalized students, including LGBTQ+ students of faith, and promotes well-being across campus.
- Collaborates with wellness services to integrate mental health support with spiritual guidance and providing individual and group counseling sessions, including crisis intervention.
- Inspires students, faculty, and staff to develop a strong commitment and skillset for the work of sustained dialogue and respect for others.
Community Engagement and Collaboration:
- Builds partnerships with student groups, faculty, staff, and Atlanta campus counterparts, promoting a campus experience that integrates spiritual life with well-being, social justice, and diversity initiatives.
- Supports and facilitates the activities of multiple religious and spiritual life organizations at Oxford College.
- Serves as a resource for religious accommodations, supporting an environment where students can practice their beliefs freely and respectfully.
- Engages local religious leaders and organizations, extending community impact and accessibility to resources.
- Maintains connections that honor Emory's historical affiliation with The United Methodist Church.
Communication and Outreach:
- Creates strategic outreach initiatives to raise awareness of religious life programming, using digital platforms and campus events to foster wide engagement.
- Represents the college's commitment to inclusivity in religious life at public forums and college events, building positive relationships with prospective students, families, and community partners.
- Highlights successes from past events through storytelling and after-action reviews, ensuring a sustained, broader community impact.
- Performs other related duties as required.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- A master's degree in divinity, religious studies, pastoral care, or a related field, and four years of experience in religious or spiritual leadership, ideally in a multi-faith and/or educational context.
- Ordained or its equivalent in your tradition.
- Proven experience in designing interfaith programs that engage a diverse audience. Strong commitment to inclusivity, with demonstrated cultural sensitivity and interpersonal skills.
- Experience in pastoral care, counseling, and collaborating with diverse faith communities.
NOTE: Position tasks are required to be performed in-person at an Emory University location; working remote is not an option. Emory reserves the right to change this status with notice to employee