Spiritual Life Program Coordinator & Assistant Chaplain

Shenandoah Universitys Office of Spiritual Life is accepting applications a Spiritual Life coordinator & Assistant Chaplain. This is a full-time benefited position located on our main campus in Winchester Virginia.

The SLPC/AC ensures that the office programming and relationship-building withstudents runs smoothly and is an independent thinker and planner who takes initiative to be part of the Spiritual Life Team interact with students and provide nurturing support and encouragement to enhance diverse communities at SU during busy and slow seasons. The SLPC/AC works with the assists the University Chaplain and additional staff and affiliate ministry partners to plan promote and implement programming as we educate and inspire our community. As a key member of the Office of Spiritual Life the SLPC/AC provides effective support for the the Office of Spiritual Life and supervises work-study employees along with providing a peaceful presence toour students.

• Coordinate Office of Spiritual Life in cooperation with campus partners including Hospitality and Communications: Assist in creating a hospitable atmosphere and maintaining the organization of Spiritual Life by:

  • Warmly welcoming guests to the Spiritual Life Office promoting a culture of compassion and care with students staff faculty and community members
  • Practicing excellent communication skills in person on the phone in teleconferencing meetings and through email and other electronic communications
  • Managing the Spiritual Life calendar identifying potential scheduling conflicts
  • Preserving electronic and hard-copy documents of interest such as receipts from and communications with other departments the United Methodist Church other faith- and community-based organizations and partners inside and outside of SU
  • Assisting the Interfaith and Engagement Coordinator (IEC) as agreed upon in maintaining promotional materials such as flyers brochures and especially websites
  • Working with the Interfaith & Engagement Coordinator to maintain social media
  • Organizing events to be facilitated by other staff members by handling arrangements with vendors providing supplies reserving spaces etc.
  • Working with Physical Plant Auxiliary Services Student Engagement the Department of Campus Safety OSL student workers and other campus departments to plan prepare set up staff strike provide officers/safety plans where necessary and help programming run smoothly
  • Coordinating meetings
  • Reconciling monthly purchasing card statements
  • Maintaining spreadsheets and/or other documentation of the budgets used by Spiritual Life
  • Ordering supplies reserve spaces rent vehicles provide snacks etc.

• Coordinate and maintain mission and service initiatives of the Office of Spiritual Life along with other programming:

  • Native Connections Initiative: advertise implement lead and assess volunteer and relationship-building opportunities to students staff and faculty among and alongside regional Indigenous communities such as powwows and maintenance of reservations and their assets and physically lead one Native Connections trip per semester
  • In cooperation with other Spiritual Life staff make arrangements for the 2025- 2026 academic year for a national or international mission and service trip potentially in cooperation with another institution one of the SU schools or other departments of the university
  • In cooperation with the Interfaith & Engagement Coordinator plan promote and implement faith-specific and multi-faith events (Holi Samhain Good Grief events monthly movie nights in cooperation with Beyond the Classroom) while helping the IEC learn the systems to do so
  • In cooperation with the Spiritual Life Team coordinate programming on all Shenandoah campuses
  • Support the staff chaplain(s) to provide mission opportunities for our studentsstaff and faculty in planning coordination and implementation

• Engagement & Religious Literacy

  • Design facilitate and promote inclusive programming that fosters interfaith dialogue and service spiritual development and ethical reflection.
  • Plan implement and assess services and activities for students faculty and staff of all religious secular and spiritual identities.
  • Assist IEC to maintain and publish an interfaith calendar of observances and advise campus partners on respectful and inclusive practices.
  • Work with the IEC to write for the review of the Chaplain campus-wide emails that inform all but especially faculty and supervisors of other employees of considerations that may be needed due to a religious holiday.
  • Support student religious and spiritual organizations and affinity groups through mentorship advising and advocacy.
  • Form and foster a Spiritual Life Council on which all RSSOs are represented.
  • Vocational discernment
  • Be a peaceful presence who earns the trust of students
  • Be knowledgeable about and offer referrals to the Counseling Center Not JustWomens Center or Chaplains in cases in which confidential resources areneeded

• Provide Pastoral Care:

  • Mentor and support students individually and in groups
  • Vocational discernment
  • Be a peaceful presence who earns the trust of students
  • Be knowledgeable about and offer referrals to the Counseling Center Not Just Womens Center or Chaplains in cases in which confidential resources are needed
  • Become knowledgeable of other student services and opportunities at Shenandoah such as Academic Enrichment the Wellness Center the Mosaic Center the Center for Civic Engagement
  • Be a staff liaison to some RSSOs while providing logistical support to staffliaisons of RSSOs

• Supervise and Mentor Student Staff: Advertise for interview hire and supervise a work-study team and ensure sustainable positions for efficient office responsibilities

  • Team usually consists of approximately 10 students. Exact number in team and responsibilities of each work study student may vary from semester to semester
  • Expand work study scope/responsibilities to increase leadership development opportunities and/or usefulness to the office
  • Write and maintain a leadership guide for student workers and communicate withthem individually and as a group when appropriate

Qualifications for this position include:

• Competency in and willingness to learn about all kinds of diversity inclusion and equity especially as they relate to religious secular and spiritual identities (RSSIs)
• Excellent time management administrative and organizational skills
• Equipped to prepare students for the growing religious diversity in our local and global communities
• Strong leadership communication interpersonal skills
• Attention to detail and ability to function while handling multiple tasks
• The ability to use sound judgment and physically lead student groups with little supervision
• Competency in helping persons of all ages explore vocation and moral/ethical issues especially college students in their diverse developmental and experiential stages
• Attention to detail and ability to function while handling multiple tasks
• The ability to use sound judgment and physically lead student groups with little supervision
• Proficiency in or willingness to learn computer skills for platforms such as Google and Microsoft
• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds
• Physical dexterity and fitness level necessary to lead mission trips and outreach programs
• Valid drivers license with the ability to become a university approved driver is required
• Experience working in higher education and event/program planning are preferred
• CPR and knowledge of first aid desired
• Bachelors degree masters or additional education in a related field preferred
• applicable experience preferred