MUSLIM CHAPLAIN FOR STUDENT LIFE – AT ST. OLAF COLLEGE

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Position Summary:

To provide religious education, spiritual care, and program support for St. Olaf students, particularly those who identify as Muslim, and to foster inter-religious education and engagement for the St. Olaf community as a whole, in collaboration with the other members of the St. Olaf College Ministry team.

Candidates are also encouraged to apply for a similar position, (.55 FTE), at Carleton College, another liberal arts institution located in Northfield.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

1. Provide religious education, spiritual care, and program support for St. Olaf students, particularly for those who identify as Muslim – 60% of time

• Plan and help to lead Muslim holiday, religious, educational, and cultural events, working with the other members of the College Ministry team, the Muslim Student Association (MSA), and St. Olaf faculty, staff, and students.
• Advise the MSA and, as appropriate, other student religious groups, helping them plan for events, programs, or worship.
• Meet with students to discuss matters of college life, faith and values, and vocational discernment.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues in a variety of other offices to help meet the residential and co-curricular needs of students who identify as Muslim.
• Foster relationships with students in other ways, such as through participation in community events, student organizations and student activities.

2. Foster inter-religious education and engagement for the St. Olaf community – 30% of time

• Support the development of, and participate in, programming designed to foster inter-religious education and engagement.
• Promote community engagement with questions of faith, values, and vocation.
• Engage with student religious organizations from different faith traditions.

3. Serve as chaplain to the St. Olaf community – 10% of time

• Participate as a spiritual leader in community events as requested, including alumni and parent events.
• Collaborate in planning special services (i.e. convocations, commencement, memorial services).

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of Islam, including diversity within Islamic religious belief and practice
• Knowledge of, and enthusiasm about engaging with, other religious traditions
• Ability to interact in a diverse higher education environment
• Knowledge of developmental issues of young adults
• Ability to relate with various constituents, read and adapt to their needs, foster relationships, and connect individuals
• Ability to maintain effective interpersonal relationships
• Ability to deal with difficult situations
• Ability to stay organized while changing priorities and remaining busy
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Skill in effective program development and implementation
• Skill in communicating effectively as appropriate for the needs of the audience
• Ability to work collaboratively and build strategic relationships with colleagues, constituents and volunteers
• Ability to convey a sense of welcome into community and conversation
• Ability and willingness to support, respect and commit to embracing diverse backgrounds, values and points of view to build a strong and inclusive community including faculty, staff, students and constituents

We strongly encourage applications from members of underrepresented minority groups.

One of the nation's leading liberal arts colleges, St. Olaf serves 3,000 students, ranks #1 among U.S. colleges for the number of students studying abroad, and celebrates carbon-free electrical power. Its mission is to challenge students to excel in the liberal arts, examine faith and values, and explore meaningful vocation in an inclusive, globally engaged community nourished by Lutheran tradition. The college is located on a picturesque 300-acre campus in Northfield, Minnesota, a vibrant, restored, historic river town of 20,000 located 45 minutes south of the Twin Cities.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: Master’s degree in a relevant field at the time of application or anticipated for completion by the end of the first year of appointment; significant professional experience in a relevant field, or other relevant educational credentials, may modify the degree requirements; maintain a valid driver’s license and meet St. Olaf College driver authorization criteria with a satisfactory driving record

Experience: 2+ years of experience in a relevant field

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: Evidence of educational experiences relevant to chaplaincy, such as graduate coursework, clinical pastoral education, or certification

Experience: 2+ years of experience in a relevant field beyond an internship or graduate assistantship position(s); experience working with college students

Prerequisite(s):

Criminal Background Check, Meet St. Olaf College driver authorization criteria

Type of Position:

Staff - Part-time Regular, FTE:0.40

Months per Year Position Will Work:

August – May, with occasional hours for program development activities in June and July

Open Until Filled

Shift (Days/Hours):

832 hours total to be worked; averaging 18 hours per week, hours to be worked primarily between Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., schedule established with supervisor; includes periodic evening and weekend hours; travel up to 5% of work schedule, which includes local (Twin Cities and and metro area), for professional development or student activities

Classification: Hourly