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3/17/2021

College Chaplain and Dean of Spiritual and Religious Life, Trinity College, Hartford,CT

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Statement of Purpose
The role of the College Chaplain and Dean of Spiritual and Religious Life is to design and direct all aspects of the Office of Spiritual and Religious Life, with a primary focus on the spiritual life, faith development, and pastoral care for Trinity College students. The College Chaplain and Dean of Spiritual and Religious Life collaborates with College administrators, faculty, staff, students, the Episcopal Church in Connecticut, and other spiritual care leaders of the College community to enrich the spiritual and intellectual life of the campus. The College Chaplain and Dean of Spiritual and Religious Life fosters holistic student development, builds a vibrant community of faith, and furthers the mission of Trinity College to prepare students to be bold, independent thinkers who lead transformative lives.

The College Chaplain and Dean of Spiritual and Religious Life leads the Office of Spiritual and Religious Life to support students in their engagement with spiritual and religious traditions and exploring and grappling with moral and ethical issues across campus and beyond. The College Chaplain and Dean of Spiritual and Religious Life also develops meaningful and timely opportunities for engagement among students, faculty, and staff throughout the campus and Greater Hartford community. The specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to, strategic planning and assessment, general administration, leadership, and coordination of the Office of Spiritual and Religious Life team, collaborating with all campus entities to develop and implement student-centered programs, fostering the growth and support for Student Missions, providing personal spiritual care for students, and mentoring and ensuring sponsorship of students including student organization leaders tasked with responsibility for spiritual leadership.

We seek to have our staff reflect the changing demographics of our student body. Our student body is diverse, representing 41 states and 70 countries with 21% students of color and 50% women. Just over 90% of students live in campus residences. Trinity College is a highly selective, independent, nonsectarian liberal arts institution located in Connecticut’s capital, Hartford. With over 2100 full-time undergraduate students and 91 graduate students, the College maintains a rigorous academic profile complemented by a vibrant and diverse co-curricular program. The College enjoys the benefit of being situated in an urban center and has strong academic, social, and philanthropic connections to our home city of Hartford. As a preeminent liberal arts college in an urban setting, Trinity College prepares students to be bold, independent thinkers who lead transformative lives.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Planning and Assessment: Leads strategic planning for the Office of Spiritual and Religious Life by identifying the needs, desired outcomes, strategies, and action plans to reach established goals and to promote an environment that welcomes all faiths and spiritual beliefs. Directs ongoing processes for formal and informal assessment strategies to meet the diversity of needs and determine the best utilization department resources. Coordinates and collaborate with Alumni Relations and Development to enhance the mission and impact of the Office of Spiritual and Religious Life and the chapel community.
General Administration: Directs the general administration and daily operations of the Office of Spiritual and Religious Life, including facility operations and maintenance of the Chapel building. Directs financial operations, determining decisions and allocations for expenditures, staffing, programs, equipment, and supplies. Serves as a liaison for spiritual life and faith development activities across the College.
Supervision and Staff Development: Coordinate the work of Spiritual and Religious Life leaders. Directs in consultation with the Dean of Student Life in accordance with established College guidelines, the processes to ensure appropriate operational hours for the Office of Spiritual and Religious Life and staff scheduling to provide for the needs of students and the campus community.
Pastoral Care Support and Crisis Response Services: Directs the provision of pastoral care, counsel, support and mentoring to assist Trinity students in their daily life and relationships, faith struggles, as well as in times of personal crisis. Provides pastoral care and support services for faculty and staff as requested. Develops processes that intentionally seek to build positive relationships with Trinity students, faculty and staff, including plans for Chaplains to maintain a high level of student contact and visibility. Serves as a confidential resource under Title IX.
Collaborative Programming: Collaborates across the College campus to provide comprehensive student-centered programming that fosters holistic spiritual development, personal growth, and a diverse and inclusive multi-faith community. Directs the development and implementation of Spiritual and Religious Life services and other on- and off-campus ministries. Develop, grow, and support the Trinity College student missions programs, as well as College celebrations and traditions, including but not limited to, Lessons and Carols, new student orientation and graduation celebration activities, community service projects, and crisis relief responses.
Spiritual and Religious Life Services: Conduct regular services in the Chapel according to the customs of the College and the provisions of the Episcopal Church; preach regularly in the Chapel and provide for visiting preachers; conduct special services, e.g. baptisms, weddings, memorial services for members of the College; provide counseling and instruction for them as appropriate. Support the Spiritual and Religious Life team in their development and implementation of regular services for the Trinity College community. Accountable for administering the College Chapel to ensure its availability to members of the College both for religious functions, for musical events and for practice involving the four organs, carillon, piano and practice facilities.
Student Leadership Training and Support: Create a Spiritual and Religious Life student leadership council that works with the College Chaplain to plan, coordinate and implement programs, which promote faith development goals with a focus on the student experience. Provides training, mentoring, and support for all Spiritual and Religious Life student organizations and non-faith-based student organizations. Guide and coordinate faith-based student groups, including but not limited to Chapel Council, the Interfaith Council, Sacristans, Acolytes, Chalice Bearers, Layreaders, and Carillonneurs who assist in conducting religious services.
College Representation: Chairs committees related to Spiritual and Religious Life. Serves on the Campus Climate Incidence Response Team. Attend general faculty and staff meetings. Serves as a member of the Student Life leadership team.
Other Duties as Assigned: Responds to the spiritual and religious life needs of the campus and other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Master of Divinity degree
Commissioned or ordained minister credentials
Three years post-master experience, which may include chaplain internship or parish experience
Proven effectiveness in administration, building strong partnerships, and supervision and motivation of staff, volunteers, and student/community groups
Must possess excellent organizational, planning, communication, and administrative skills, with the ability to provide guidance and structure to the departmental effort while actively participating in it
Ability to respond to immergent needs of the community and willingness to work nights and weekends, as well as travel and/or confer at various hours as required

Demonstrated effectiveness of inclusive ministry with diverse populations
Must have deep knowledge of multiple faiths and religions
Proven strategic planning, organizational and analytical abilities
Must have sound judgment with a strong sense of personal and professional integrity
Familiarity with major issues in higher education
Exceptional collaborative leadership and organizational Skills
Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
Ability to exhibit diplomacy in managing conflict in a rapidly changing higher education environment
Strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
Preferred Qualifications and Competencies
Doctor of Theology or earned doctoral degree
3 or more years of experience as a College/University Chaplain and/or teaching experience in higher education
Technical Skills
Demonstrated experience utilizing Microsoft Office, Adobe and willingness to learn and use new tools
Proven ability to read, interpret, and develop financial reports that are necessary to perform the financial management aspects of this position

Application instructions
Applicants are required to discuss in their cover letter their commitment to and/or experience working with diverse individuals or in diverse communities.

Please apply online at https://trincoll.peopleadmin.com/postings/2253

For full consideration, please submit your application material by April 9, 2021.

Trinity is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.

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