Job Description

Chaplain

La Sierra University seeks a chaplain who will collaborate with University administrators, faculty, staff, area church pastors, and other spiritual care leaders of the University community to enrich the spiritual life of the campus.

Qualifications and Attributes:

• A vibrant, personal, growing relationship with Jesus Christ
• Love for students and an ability to connect with them relationally
• Christ-like humility and a teachable spirit
• Willingness to partner and collaborate across all campus disciplines
• Ability to model servant leadership and grace-filled community
• Member in regular standing of the Seventh-day Adventist Church who is committed and excited about the church's message and mission as well as the ministry of Adventist higher education in a diverse context
• Minimum of five years professional experience in student personnel, collegiate chaplaincy, pastoral ministry, or comparable experience
• Exceptional public presence (including, but not limited to, preaching and training)
• Capability to articulate and assess spiritual learning outcomes
• A reputation for strong leadership and management skills
• Ability to work well with the full diversity of La Sierra University campus family

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Administrative Duties:

• Director for the Spiritual Life Office.
• Directs the general and daily administration of the Spiritual Life department.
• Manages the department budget and makes recommendations for expenditures, staffing, programs, equipment, and supplies. Manages the financial decisions and transactions within established University guidelines and within approved budgeted expectations and targets.
• Serves as a liaison for spiritual life and faith-development activities with the administration, faculty, parents, enrollment services, guests, alumni, and other constituents.
• Responsible for religious programs that will support the spiritual master plan of campus, and spiritual care for students and employees while collaborating with the pastoral staff of La Sierra University Church of Seventh-day Adventists to coordinate Christian growth, fellowship, and service between the campus and church.
• Responsible for University sponsored religious programs and activities such as chapels (La Sierra campus and Criminal Justice campuses), week of Spiritual Emphasis, First Service, Rendezvous, and various other weekly programs.
• Directs the supervisory responsibilities including: staff, student, and volunteer selection and hiring; job description development; staff training and support; assignment of tasks; scheduling and directing work; appraising performance; motivating and affirming staff and student employees; addressing complaints; and resolving problems.
• Serves on various University committees as appointed, such as: Student Life Directors, Student Life Committee, Spiritual Life Committee, Chapel Committee, Spiritual Masterplan, and University Council.
• Attends and participates in HMS Richards Divinity School faculty meetings.
• Regular participation in La Sierra University Church staff meetings. Serves on other church and conference committees as appointed.
• Collaborates with the Lead Pastor of the La Sierra University Church to facilitate campus spiritual community engagement in church life.
• Directs general pastoral care, counsel, and support to assist University students, staff and faculty in their daily life, relationships and faith, as well as in times of personal crisis.

Campus Nurture:

• Provides visionary leadership to the campus in the area of spiritual climate and growth through intentional awareness and assessment strategies.
• Provides worship, devotional talks, homilies, sermons, workshops and seminars for campus entities as requested.
• Fosters the development of co-curricular programming that will assist the campus community in the integration of Adventist faith within their respective academic disciplines.
• Maintains a high level of visibility on campus and accessibility to students and employees.
• Develops and promotes spiritual activities and ministries for underrepresented community members such as: commuter students, non-SDA students, athletes, criminal justice students, etc.
• Facilitates weekly residence hall visitations.
• Conducts individual Bible studies with members of the campus community.
• Facilitates and participates in small group ministries.
• Coordinates hospital and death related visitations as necessary, and performs campus baptisms as requested.

Campus Outreach:

Serves as a campus liaison to constituent churches, academies, local Conferences, the Union and the NAD and provides ongoing communications with these entities to inform them of the spiritual life on the University campus. Facilitates partnerships with local churches in collaboration with La Sierra University Church to deeply engage students, as part of their university experience, in the rhythms of church life. Mentors and empowers student leaders to plan and execute worship, discipleship, and service opportunities for all students, including Collegiate Sabbath School, Student Weeks of Prayer, residential-life chaplaincy and retreats. Directs the comprehensive set of processes to develop, grow, and support the Student Missions and local outreach programs.

Job Specifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, ability required and physical and work environment.

Education and/or Experience:

Master's of Divinity (M.Div.) or its equivalent and five years or more of experience is required.

Language Skills:

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret documents. Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints. Ability to write sermons and articles using original or innovative techniques or style. Ability to make effective and persuasive sermons and presentations to church congregations, church leaders, public groups, and/or boards.

Mathematical Skills:

Knowledge of basic math.

Reasoning Ability:

Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems. Ability to deal with nonverbal symbolism and to deal with a variety of abstract and concrete variables.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

Eligibility for Ministerial Credential, Ministerial License or Commissioned Ministerial Credential

Other Skills and Abilities:

Ability to perform the sacraments of the church. Must have pastoral counseling skills, the ability to provide spiritual guidance and the ability to relate to diverse groups of people (cultural; gender; age; etc.), and be confidential. Ability to be a team player and work in a team work environment.

Physical Demands/Work Environment:

Frequently required to stand, walk, sit, talk and hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and distance vision. The work environment is usually in an office, church or home setting with moderate noise level.

Salary Wage Range: $68,640 to $76,500, plus generous benefits.

• Comprehensive health coverage available
• Tuition Assistance (spouse and dependent eligibility)
• 10 Paid Holidays
• FSA, Pet Insurance, Legal Services, Identity Protection Services, and more!

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