Assistant Director for Interfaith Ministry

DePaul University•Chicago, IL

3d•$56,222 - $73,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Asst Director for Interfaith Ministry and Chaplain for Jewish Life serves within DePaul's Division of Mission and Ministry (DMM), specifically within the department of Interfaith Ministry. The Asst Director will support the religious and spiritual life of DePaul's Jewish community and the DePaul community at large by developing, implementing, and supporting DePaul-sponsored, student-centered and led opportunities for Jewish and interfaith learning, spiritual and Vincentian formation, leadership development, and service. They will develop strong intra-Jewish relationships and a pluralistic Jewish community within DePaul and with partner organizations in order to provide pastoral care and support to students. The Asst Director/Chaplain plays lead role in the division's interfaith and inter-religious dialogue efforts with students, bringing the wisdom of the Jewish tradition into this important mission-based work. This staff person will also collaborate effectively with members of the DMM Faculty and Staff Engagement team and DePaul's Jewish Faculty and Staff Alliance to build a vibrant Jewish community within the university. The AD will seek to draw support, best practices, and prof dev opportunities from organizations fostering Jewish-Christian and interfaith/interreligious engagement.

Requirements

Master's degree required.
Requires at least two years of prof. experience in Jewish chaplaincy.
Requires an articulate and practical understanding of and commitment to a pluralistic Jewish theology.
Requires one year of professional experience working within pluralistic Jewish community.
Requires at least one year of experience in developing and leading/guiding Jewish ritual and/or worship.
Requires at least one year of experience, study, or work within an interreligious discipline or setting.
Requires public/professional speaking experience.
Excellent leadership, professionalism, administration, communication, organization, networking, and collaboration skills.

Nice To Haves

Preferred: Jewish studies, religious studies, Rabbinical studies, Pluralistic Jewish studies
Work with young adults in education setting (preferred).
Training or experience in interfaith dialogue preferred.
Clinical Pastoral Experience (preferred / openness to pursuing at least one quarter of CPE as professional development)
Training/certification in interfaith/interreligious leadership, dialogue, community-building, and/or facilitation.
Some formal education in Jewish theology, spirituality, and ethics.
Articulate understanding of fundamental theological beliefs and practices of pluralistic Jewish traditions.
Leadership of public prayer, ritual, and worship (particularly related to Jewish and interreligious traditions).
Encourages and fosters religious pluralism among interreligious groups and within various faith traditions.
Encourages leadership of students in spiritual learning, exploration, and formation through theological reflections based on spiritual, religious, and/or ethical values.
Fosters connections between spirituality and social action.
Communicates effectively on the integration of faith and justice, encouraging and leading students in spiritual learning, exploration, and formation.
Listens attentively, provides pastoral care and guidance, and responds pastorally, particularly around the specific needs and issues of young adults and in moments of crisis.
Ability as a writer around pastoral/spiritual issues for public consumption highly preferred.
Some adaptability in work hours expected due to needs of student community and job duties. Will include some evening and weekend work, as well as some short-term travel.

Responsibilities

Provides leadership of all facets of Jewish Life Ministry at DePaul: Supervise and mentor student leaders; develop learning and formation opportunities, provide spiritual/pastoral support, initiate community building, and foster/support learning opportunities rooted in the Jewish wisdom and spiritual tradition for students, faculty, and staff; oversee event logistics and promotion; provide leadership in coordinating/facilitating Jewish prayer and worship services (particularly around Jewish holidays/celebrations); mentor students around leading Jewish prayers, programs, service, and events; coordinate/collaborate regularly and effectively with external partners around their events in support of the DePaul Jewish community; provide leadership in planning at least one annual Unity Shabbat among/for DePaul's Jewish partner organizations; ensure external Jewish partners are properly vetted, supported, and adhere to university policies/procedures.
Serves a key leadership role in cultivating a vibrant religious pluralism at DePaul in collaboration with DMM colleagues. Leads student interfaith initiatives such as Interfaith Scholars, dialogue programs, interfaith immersion experiences, etc. Assists in developing annual curriculum and religious pluralism and dialogue calendar; takes lead in guiding students in planning and implementing religious pluralism events and programs. Actively maintains attention to the personal and professional learning and skills needed to lead and facilitate this work.
As with all DMM staff, this role involves participating in regular divisional and DMM-area meetings and divisional strategic planning sessions as well as staffing DMM institution-wide signature events as appropriate (orientation, Vincentian heritage events, BUILD program interfaith education training for faculty and staff). Participates as a contributing team member and mission leader on cross-functional divisional and university committees and task groups as assigned, offering thoughtful Vincentian and Jewish religious/ethical/wisdom insights where applicable. These duties may include but not be limited to leading a service immersion trip, facilitating Vincentian Heritage Tours, and assisting in the implementation of large scale Divisional events or university committees.
Manages assigned annual budget for programs and activities under their purview plus additional High Holidays budget and assigned endowment funds. Consult with manager on budget decisions that fall outside established annual budget parameters. Per university expectations, manages/reports on budget and executes financial transactions in Oracle system.