Chaplain and Director of Spiritual Life

Description

As part of our ongoing commitment to student development and institutional growth, Columbia College has undertaken a strategic restructuring within the Division of Student Affairs to better align our resources with the evolving needs of our students and programs. This is an exciting opportunity to join a forward-thinking team committed to innovation, collaboration, and student success. We invite qualified candidates to consider contributing their expertise to this important period of growth and transformation.

JOB SUMMARY

The Chaplain and Director of Spiritual Life fosters a welcoming and supportive environment for students, staff, and faculty of all faiths and none, encouraging spiritual exploration, ethical reflection, interfaith engagement, and a community well-being of understanding and respect. Through dynamic programming, creative and meaningful experiences, and mission driven service opportunities, the Chaplain & Director of Spiritual Life promotes the spiritual growth of the Columbia College community. The Chaplain interacts with and ministers to all members of the Columbia College community but has a particular responsibility to its students. As a member of the Student Affairs Staff, the Chaplain is a collaborative partner to other offices and divisions across campus and the greater Columbia community.

Qualifications

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Spiritual Leadership & Pastoral Care
  • Serve as a visible and accessible spiritual leader to the college community.
  • Design, implement and evaluate spiritual life initiatives that support spiritual development, interfaith dialogue, and ethical leadership for a population with various faith and spiritual traditions.
  • Organize workshops, retreats, service opportunities, and speaker series related to spirituality, mindfulness, and holistic well-being.
  • Support and advise student religious and spiritual organizations such as Campus Crusade for Christ, Heavenly Creations Choir, the Baptist College Ministry, and Muslim Student Association and facilitate an interfaith student council.
  • Provide pastoral care, individual spiritual counseling, and consultation.
  • Plan and implement the Alpha Service and Communion during first year Orientation; Omega Service and Communion before graduation: the Christmas Tree Lighting the last Monday of November, and the Religious Life Fair.
  • Participate in college events, such as Orientation, Welcome Weeks, Open Houses and Commencement.
  • Take students to the annual Peace Conference at Lake Junaluska, as funds permit.
  • Visit and support students who have been hospitalized locally (as requested) and during difficult times.
  • Maintain roster and local electronic church finder.
  • Conduct campus memorial services.
  • Perform other duties, as needed.

• Service
  • Coordinate community service initiatives and partner with organizations/groups on campus, United Methodist churches/organizations, and other local organizations.
  • Collaborate in advisement and event planning of religious life student organizations.
  • Design and lead mission experiences for students and faculty/staff during college breaks.

• Administrative

• Serve on college committees and contribute to institutional goals related to student development and well-being.
• Develop and manage budgets, strategic planning, and assessment of Spiritual Life programs.
• Represent the college in religious and interfaith initiatives on and off campus.
• Serve as the College representative for the citywide Interfaith Council.
• Serve on the Administrative On Call schedule.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM WORK: 

• Must have a seminary degree and United Methodist ordination as either a deacon or an elder.
• Member of the SC Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church preferred.
• Strong interpersonal, preaching, and facilitating skills with demonstrated ability to develop and maintain positive working relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Experience using Microsoft Office Suite preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Excellent interpersonal, leadership and communication skills.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment.
• Ability to plan, organize and prioritize work.
• Ability to meet schedules and timelines.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Requires sedentary work that involves walking, standing, lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling some of the time.  Requires the ability to lift up to 50 pounds and the ability to exert up to 10 pounds of force on a recurring basis or routine keyboard operations.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work environment risks exposure to no known environmental hazards.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

• Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. 
• Interested candidates should complete an online application using this link: https://www.columbiasc.edu/about/employment and upload a cover letter, resume, and three professional references.

If you have additional questions regarding the position, please contact Dr. Sandra Rouse, Vice President for Student Affairs & Dean of Students, via email at srouse@columbiasc.edu.

EOE M/F/D/V