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Position Description
Dickinson College invites applications for the Director of the Center for Spirituality and Social Justice. The next Director will be a passionate and dedicated leader who understands organizational change and has direct experience shaping an inclusive culture. Reporting to the Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer, the incoming Director partner in proposing and leading ways of engaging contemporary issues at the nexus of spirituality, equity, and social justice. Located in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, Dickinson enjoys proximity to the rich social and cultural diversity of the region. The College is a 25-minute drive from the capital city (Harrisburg) and an easy commute via car or train to Baltimore, Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia. Students, faculty, and staff often enjoy the food, art, entertainment, and cultural enrichment of these major hubs and/or New York City. The Center for Spirituality and Social Justice is a nondenominational, nonsectarian office within the Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. The Director, who serves as chaplain for the college, will be a champion for equitable and inclusive experiences for students, faculty, and staff of all religious and spiritual backgrounds. This position is called to assist students of all faiths, or no faith, in their spiritual development and is expected to lead an extensive interfaith program for the entire campus. The Director will have a keen understanding of the role that spiritual and religious life plays in student development and must be able to translate that understanding into effective programming and experiences that will challenge students to grow in their understanding of themselves and others. Consistent with the mission of the Center, the successful candidate will be a multidisciplinary leader with strengths in advocacy and social justice, as well as the ability to provide direction for Dickinson’s spiritual and religious life. We view social justice as a solution-oriented and participatory process that promotes access, equity, and human dignity. The next leader will be an effective communicator who can regularly host lectures, trainings, and workshops related to spirituality, equity, and social justice. To succeed in this role, the next Director will be a collaborative, people-centered, equity-minded, and strategic leader desirous of engaging in and enriching the intellectual, spiritual, and cultural life of the college. Prior experience in restorative justice, reconciliation, or mediation are desired. In addition to medical, vision, and dental benefits, employees at Dickinson College are eligible to participate in our retirement plan, the homebuyer assistance program, and receive tuition benefits for themselves or their dependents. Moreover, staff are encouraged to pursue opportunities for ongoing skill development and professional development. These commitments are illustrative of the value we place in staff and our investment in seeing employees flourish.
Duties
1. Chaplain: Functions as chaplain for the college. Responsibilities include but are not limited to providing pastoral guidance, emotional support, or spiritual care; assisting the emergency management team (ERT) during planning activities and actual campus emergencies; facilitating memorial services for members of the campus community; officiating at campus weddings serving as college chaplain; participation in 9/11 memorial, ROTC Commissioning, and other campus occasions that may call for prayer and spiritual support. In this capacity, the Director serves as a confidential resource for those who seek guidance or pastoral care.
2. Student Programming and Engagement: Be a visible advocate and knowledgeable resource on campus, with work that spans the academic, co-curricular, and social life of the College. Plan, develop, and implement interfaith programs, activities, and services. Build and maintain a strong and comprehensive student programming model that supports and encourages an environment of religious exploration, meaning-making and purpose, and identity development.
3. Equity Leadership: Work to reduce structural barriers to student success by regularly reviewing institutional policies, practices, and procedures and providing recommendations for change. This includes but is not limited to ensuring compliance with the Dickinson’s religious accommodations policies, proactively identifying gaps in faith-based and nonsectarian spiritual support, maintaining a calendar of religious and spiritual occasions, and working with stakeholders to negotiate conflicts that occur between these observances and campus events, and partnering with campus offices (e.g., residential life, academic affairs, and dining services) in support of students of various cultures and faith traditions.
4. Education and Workshops: Use various forms of data to understand our campus climate and work collaboratively across the campus to develop, implement, and assess learning and professional development opportunities for students, staff, and faculty both to educate and shift campus culture.
5. Committee Leadership: Chair the 7-member Interfaith Advisory Board and ensure visibility and coordination among the multifaith religious leaders affiliated with the college. As appointed, serve as a divisional representative on working groups, steering committees and college-wide committees.
6. Coordination and Collaboration: Coordinate social justice related programs, lectures, research, and activities. Lead the Center in a multidisciplinary and intersectional manner that highlights connections between social justice and the College’s academic program (e.g., connections between social justice and disciplines in STEM, social sciences, visual and performing arts, and social sciences).
7. Office Leadership: Provide leadership and direction for the day-to-day operations of the Center for Spirituality and Social Justice. This includes but is not limited to budget management, ordering supplies, supervision of student workers and 1 FTE, timely responses to inquiries, website updates, sponsorship of programs and initiatives, and ensuring proper maintenance and upkeep of worship, prayer, and mediation spaces on campus.
Application Process
https://jobs.dickinson.edu
Institution Information
The College is committed to building a representative and diverse faculty, administrative staff, and student body. We encourage applications from all qualified persons.
Additional Information
The College is committed to building a representative and diverse faculty, administrative staff, and student body. We encourage applications from all qualified persons.
Contact Information
Denise Eichelberger 717-245-1608
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