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 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 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.
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. The Chaplain provides a welcoming ministry to a diverse student population and College community and contributes to campus efforts that advance equity, belonging, and interreligious understanding. The position primarily involves weekday work hours, with occasional evening and weekend responsibilities associated with student programs and campus events, including panels, vigils, Vespers, Baccalaureate.
The Christian Chaplain serves as the College’s primary institutional point of contact for Christian life, working in collaboration with external campus ministries while upholding the College’s values of inclusion and student wellbeing. While Amherst Christian Fellowship is advised and supported by InterVarsity staff, the Christian Chaplain remains the professional staff resource for Christian students, offering pastoral care and supporting major Christian services and campus ceremonies, including the annual Vespers service, the twice-semesterly Bi-Semester Service for Black Christian worship, and representation of Christian clergy at key campus events such as Baccalaureate and vigils.
15 - 18 hours/week during the academic year
Summary of Duties and Responsibilities
Programs:
- Provides guidance, mentorship, and leadership development for Christian student groups on campus, including ACF and Newman, as well as any emerging student organizations
- 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: and, when time allows, to faculty and staff by request
- 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, balancing weekly hours between on-campus commitments and responsive attention to communications
- 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
Please be sure to upload all requested documents prior to clicking Submit. Applications cannot be revised once submitted. (Current employees and students should apply by clicking on the Jobs Hub icon from their Workday home screen.) Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Amherst College is committed to an inclusive hiring process and will provide reasonable accommodations for candidates throughout the application and interview process upon request.
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
