College Chaplain

North Central College is to announce a search for a College Chaplain. The chaplain will address the spiritual needs of a religiously diverse college community through distinctive, engaging, and relevant programs. The chaplain will advocate for and foster a community of compassion, understanding justice, and inclusion while building strong relationships with The United Methodist Church and other faith-based institutions. This role emphasizes welcoming and celebrating people of all faiths, beliefs, and serving as a pastoral resource for the entire campus community.

This role is key to supporting the spiritual development of students and embodies the college’s commitment to interfaith leadership, ethics, and justice. The chaplain will promote communal worship and practicing spiritual discipline while building strong relationships with local religious organizations, especially The United Methodist Church in Northern Illinois and Wisconsin Conferences.

The chaplain will serve the entire college community, providing advocacy, care, guidance, and support to those in need. With empathy and insight, the chaplain will help foster unity, voice campus concerns, and promote core values. This role also involves encouraging spiritual growth, service, and outreach, while promoting interfaith and ecumenical collaboration. As an advisor, the chaplain will work with a team to develop impactful programs, student organizations, and projects that support students in exploring and expressing their faith as part of their identity and educational experience.

As chaplain and advisor, this individual will build strong relational connections with students, staff, faculty, and local faith communities to support the spiritual development of the community. The chaplain must interact with individuals from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds, often in sensitive or emotional situations, while maintaining empathy, compassion, professionalism, and respect for privacy.

Essential Functions:

• Promote care, justice, and ethical leadership, aligning with The United Methodist Social Principles and the College Community’s Core Values.
• Coordinate worship services and provide spiritual outreach responses for local and national events and crises that impact the North Central community.
• Cultivate a community of inclusiveness, understanding, and collaboration particularly for underrepresented and underserved populations. Foster the free expression of faith.
• Establish community engagement opportunities to bring community stakeholders together including but not limited to planning and participating in key events such as Baccalaureate, Commencement, and other cultural celebrations.
• Strengthen ties between the college and The United Methodist Church, attending Annual Conference events, and Board of Higher Education and Campus Ministry meetings.
• Accept preaching invitations from United Methodist congregations in Northern Illinois and Wisconsin.
• Provide individual care and spiritual guidance for students and community members, offering referrals to relevant campus resources as needed including Dyson Wellness Center, and campus community organizations.
• Develop interfaith programs that foster collaboration among students, staff, and the broader community.
• Collaborate with the Center for Social Impact on service and outreach initiatives to strengthen relationships.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Serve as a faith and spiritual role model for the college community, upholding the highest standards of Christian morality as outlined in the Social Principles of the Book of Discipline and maintaining the utmost professional integrity.
• Must possess proficiency and knowledge to provide excellent customer service, both to internal and external customers of the college.
• Have a thorough understanding of the structure and theology and The United Methodist Church.
• Embody an ecumenical and interfaith spirit, effectively working with students, faculty, and staff who represent the board spectrum of interfaith traditions.
• Ability to quickly understand the college’s structure and operations, while consistently demonstrating strong interpersonal skills with both internal and external members of the college.
• Have thorough knowledge of current spiritual wellness practices in higher education and the ability to develop innovative programs that meet the college’s needs.
• Ability to work effectively as a member of a small staff where teamwork and collaboration are essential.
• Communicate regularly with faculty and staff in related areas, such as the Department of Philosophy and Religion and the Center for Social Impact office of Student Engagement and Belonging to foster collaboration and shared initiatives.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks simultaneously, often without supervision, while being goal-oriented, organized, detail oriented, and results focused.
• Possess strong interpersonal skills, good listening skills, as well as astute observational skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English, both in writing and oral presentations, in a way that reflects positively on the college.

Qualifications:

• Master of Divinity or equivalent degree required.
• Must be an ordained minister in The United Methodist Church.
• 1 or more units of Clinical Pastoral Education are required.
• 5 or more years as a campus minister preferred.
• A valid driver’s license is required.

Work Schedule:

Employed through the United Methodist Church, with direct supervision from the Office of the College President at North Central College for a ten-month basis with a standard work week of 40 hours (2,080 hours annually) or as identified in the most recent revisions of the Personnel Policy Guide or as determined by immediate supervisor.

The North Central College is an Equal Opportunity Employer and actively seeks and encourages applications from minorities, women, and individuals with disabilities. All offers of employment are subject to the applicant successfully completing background, reference, and other applicable checks.

Closing Date:

March 17, 2025

No Staffing Agencies or Recruitment Firms