University Chaplain and Director of the Office of Spiritual & Religious Life

Job Description Summary:

The University Chaplain & Director of Religious and Spiritual Life is a visionary and compassionate leader who advances a spiritually curious, inclusive, and thriving campus culture. This unique role bridges spiritual care and institutional strategy by fostering interfaith understanding, holistic well-being, and a culture of belonging across the university. Serving as both a spiritual anchor and a culture strategist, the incumbent will champion ULV’s values through pastoral presence, interfaith engagement, and organizational alignment initiatives. They will act as an invisible bridge—navigating diverse perspectives, supporting healing, and catalyzing collaboration among students, staff, and faculty. 

Core Qualities & Competencies 

• Spiritual Curiosity & Interfaith Fluency: Deep respect for diverse belief systems with the ability to engage across religious, secular, and spiritual identities.

• Bridge-Builder & Collaborator: Skilled in facilitating courageous conversations and building connections between seemingly disparate groups.

• Trauma-Informed Care & Emotional Intelligence: Grounded presence with the ability to navigate and help others navigate and facilitate discussions and events connected to grief, complexity, and celebration with grace.

• Strategic Culture Visionary: Experienced in aligning programs and systems with institutional mission and cultural aspirations.

• Student-Centered Mentor: Passion for emerging adult development and cultivating belonging across intersectional identities.

• Systems Thinker & Evaluator: Comfortable navigating organizational dynamics and using data to assess and guide cultural change.

Minimum Qualifications:

• 5 years experience in College Administration or Related Religious Leadership.

• 2 years teaching experience.

• Good communication skills, written and oral.

• Ability to perform ceremonial functions.

• Organizational skills.

• Personable, approachable, team-oriented, collaborative.

• Supervisory skills.

• Budget management skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

Qualifications 

• Master’s degree or higher in theology, divinity, religious studies, higher education, psychology, organizational development, or related fields.

• Minimum three years of experience in chaplaincy, spiritual direction, organizational change, DEI , or related roles.

• Ordination, endorsement, or equivalent spiritual recognition is preferred but not required; openness to non-traditional paths is valued.

• Demonstrated experience with restorative practices, grief work, or conflict mediation.

• Proven ability to lead cultural initiatives within complex organizations, especially in higher education.

• High emotional intelligence, discretion, and capacity for trust-building across levels.

Specific Duties:

Duty: Spiritual Leadership & Interfaith Engagement

• Develop and articulate a strategic vision for religious and spiritual life that aligns with the college’s mission and values.

• Serve as the university’s primary spiritual and interfaith leader, supporting the religious, spiritual, and philosophical diversity of the campus community.

• Facilitate inclusive rituals, ceremonies (e.g., Baccalaureate, vigils), and reflections that affirm identity and belonging across traditions.

• Provide trauma-informed spiritual care, pastoral counseling, and crisis response.

• Provide pastoral care, crisis support, and confidential guidance to students, regardless of religious affiliation.

• Build and sustain interfaith programming, dialogue series, and student engagement initiatives in collaboration with cultural and wellness centers.

• Mentor and empower students to explore spiritual curiosity and ethical leadership.

• Integrate spiritual inquiry into academic and co-curricular spaces through partnerships with faculty and student life.

Duty: faculty and student life.

Percentage of Time: 40%

Duty: Organizational Culture Strategy & Collaboration

• Provide confidential, compassionate coaching and advisory support to faculty, staff, and administrators to strengthen organizational culture and trust.

• Design and implement programs, workshops, and events that foster interfaith dialogue, religious literacy, and spiritual wellness.

• Facilitate dialogue and connection across diverse identities and departments to address conflict, alignment, and team well-being.

• Monitor and assess cultural dynamics and identify opportunities for alignment between lived experience and institutional values.

• Partner with university leadership on strategic culture initiatives aligned with mission, DEI , and student flourishing.

• Lead trainings, workshops, and retreats focused on cultural transformation, emotional intelligence, and restorative practices.

• Support strategic communication and storytelling that embodies the institution’s spiritual and cultural aspirations.

• Build and maintain relationships with local faith leaders and organizations to connect campus and community resources.

• Represent the college in interfaith and community engagement efforts.

Percentage of Time: 40%

Duty: Liaison with the Department of Religion and Philosophy

• Provide interfaith support and consultation on the curriculum, including, as appropriate, teaching an occasional class.

• Serve on the endowed Fasnacht Lecture in Religion and Society committee.

Percentage of Time: 10%

• Other Duties as assigned.

Percentage of Time: 10%

Salary Range

Maximum: $78,042.00

Minimum: $74,571

Benefits Summary:

Applicants, please note that actual compensation is determined by several factors that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to job-related skills, depth of experience, certifications, relevant education or training, and specific work location, among others. The offered wage or salary is only one aspect of an employee’s total compensation.

Benefits include a comprehensive health and wellness plan, tuition remission program for employee, spouse, and dependent children, a generous contribution to the University’s 403B retirement plan, and a generous time off plan.

Employment is contingent upon successful completion and clearance of a background check and employment verification. 

Location: La Verne Main Campus

Close Date:

Open Until Filled: No

To be considered for this position please visit our web site and apply on line at the following link: https://apptrkr.com/6680198

Institutional Profile

Located in Southern California, the University of La Verne offers a distinctive and relevant educational experience to a diverse population of students, preparing them for successful careers and a commitment to lifelong learning across the liberal arts and professional programs. The academic units of the not-for-profit university include the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business and Public Management, the LaFetra College of Education, and the College of Law. The university offers both undergraduate and graduate programs, including degree programs tailored for working adults. The university's central campus is located 30 miles east of Los Angeles in the historic Old Town section of La Verne, a city with a population of approximately 35,000 at the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. The university also has eight regional campuses throughout California and the College of Law campus in Ontario, California. The university is classified as a Carnegie Doctoral Institution with moderate research activity. Core values are reflected throughout all curricular and co-curricular programs, its emphasis on close professor-student interaction, personal support of its students, and its diversity.

The University of La Verne prides itself in being reflective of the diversity of Southern California. Approximately 80 percent of its nearly 8,500 students come from diverse backgrounds and the U.S. Department of Education has designated the university as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). With 80,000 alumni, the university fulfills a critical community function in educating students from underserved populations, many of whom are the first generation in their family to attend college.

The University of La Verne is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against employment or employees on any basis prohibited by state and federal law. University of La Verne hires and promotes individuals based on their qualifications and is consistent with applicable state and federal laws, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, disability, medical condition a or sexual orientation

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