CTR FOR FAITH ENGAGEMENT - University Chaplain
Job Classification
Salaried Administrative
Position summary
The Lead University Chaplain provides strategic leadership for the Center for Faith Engagement (CFE), overseeing campus spiritual life and faith development. This role ensures a vibrant Christ-centered campus culture that fosters faith engagement for students and employees through-out the university experience.
With a primary reporting relationship to the President focusing on strategy and University-wide initiatives, the Chaplain also seeks direction from the Vice President for Campus and Student Life in the daily operations and interface of faith development in the student experience. Additionally, the Chaplain partners with Pioneer Memorial Church and denominational entities to expand mission, service, and ministry opportunities.
Qualifications summary
The position requires a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) or equivalent. Candidate must be ordained/commissioned Seventh-day Adventist minister with 5+ years of pastoral leadership or chaplaincy experience. Key skills include mentoring young adults, leadership, communication, and administrative abilities. Experience in mission work, student mentorship, and service leadership is preferred, along with CPE and chaplaincy endorsement. Flexibility for evening and weekend work is necessary to support spiritual programming and campus life.
Must be a Seventh-day Adventist in good and regular standing.
Duties and responsibilities
The Lead University Chaplain leads the Center for Faith Engagement from the distinctive beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and its purpose to fulfill the mission of Jesus Christ. To this end, the Lead University Chaplain fulfills the following duties and responsibilities, among others, which may be assigned by the University President.
Faith Engagement & Campus Ministries
- Oversees Chapel, Vespers, Weeks of Prayer, and alternative Sabbath worship services.
- Mentors student ministry leaders and supports faith-based student organizations.
- OverseStudent Missions & Service Learning, including Change Day, local outreach, and mission trips.
- Collaborates with faculty and staff to integrate faith into academics and co-curricular programming.
Pastoral Care & Spiritual Development
- Provides pastoral counseling, mentoring, and care for students, faculty, and staff.
- Responds to crises, offering spiritual support during personal and community challenges.
- Engages students actively, ensuring faith formation remains central to campus life.
Leadership & Administration
- Leads the Center for Faith Engagement, supervising associate chaplains, directors, student workers, and volunteers.
- Manages the CFE budget and ensures effective resource allocation for spiritual life initiatives.
- Oversees marketing and communication efforts to promote faith engagement.
- Serves on various university committees, contributing to institutional faith development strategies. This includes chairing the Faith Development Committee and serving as secretary of the Faith Engagement Council.
Supervisory responsibilities
Supervisors Center of Faith Engagement personnel
Qualifications
Education & Experience
- Master of Divinity (M.Div.) or equivalent required; doctoral degree preferred.
- Ordained or commissioned Seventh-day Adventist minister in good standing.
- 5+ years of experience in pastoral leadership, campus chaplaincy, or faith development.
- Experience in student mentorship, mission work, and service leadership preferred.
- Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) and chaplaincy endorsement preferred.
Skills & Competencies
- Passion for mentoring young adults and fostering faith development.
- Strong leadership, communication, and administrative skills.
- Ability to engage diverse populations and integrate faith into all aspects of campus life.
- Experience in budgeting, program development, and strategic planning.
- Flexibility to work evenings and weekends as needed for spiritual programming.
Must be a Seventh-day Adventist in good and regular standing.
Technical competencies
Ability to use Microsoft Office and additional programs and software as needed.
Interpersonal interactions
N/A
Physical demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by any employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk, stand, climb and to use the senses of sight, touch, hearing, speech, and smell. A strong physical stamina is required to handle the stress of multiple responsibilities and critical decisions that impact student lives.
Work environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, but can be high. Frequent interruptions, noise, and high traffic are common during daytime hours. Additionally, the various programs of Center for Faith Engagement as well as crisis situations result in evening and weekend responsibilities.