Muslim and Interfaith Chaplain

The Muslim and Interfaith Chaplain (.75 FTE) is part of a collective team, tasked with leading interfaith efforts that increase interfaith literacy and provide spiritual care to any member of our campus community. The Chaplains embody enthusiastic spiritual leadership, teach across pluralistic worldviews, and nurture the growth of program participants. This position serves as spiritual teacher to Macalester’s Muslim population which is pluralistic and includes a range of practices, cultures and ideology. This position works with students to cultivate leadership and create meaningful opportunities to engage, practice, learn and grow. This position includes thoughtful facilitation of dialogue, meaningful framing of religious, spiritual and philosophical issues, and the ability to hold space for students to explore multiple identities. An effective chaplain holds skills to navigate differences with curiosity and care. 

Reporting to the College Chaplain and Associate Dean for Institutional Equity, the Muslim and Interfaith Chaplain has responsibility to provide relevant and informed engagement for both the Muslim community and Interfaith efforts. The team of CRSL chaplains has responsibility for tending to campus culture, fostering belonging, bridging differences, and engaging in reflective practice with an equity lens. The chaplains focus on student learning and support and may also serve as a resource and partner with staff, faculty and alumni. This position contributes to the Center for Religious and Spiritual Life (CRSL) mission under the auspices of the Division Institutional Equity. Macalester has roots and relationships in the Presbyterian Church and is home to a Chaplaincy that is Multifaith in expression and values.

This is a full-time, exempt position that requires working during standard business hours Monday through Friday. This role also requires weekend and evening work as needed. 

• Serve as a Chaplain to the Muslim community and ensure appropriate resources and support are in place for practice, observances and holidays, including vision, direction, and guidance for learning circles, Jumu’ah prayers, and Halaqua study
• Promote awareness and understanding of Islamic traditions and cultures
• Advise Macalester Muslim Association (MSA) and facilitate opportunities for communal practice and observances (e.g., Jum’ah, Ramadan)
• Build capacity in student leaders to co-create communities of practice
• Co-create a vision for interfaith engagement, identify strategies to nurture these efforts
• Establish engagement and dialogue across diverse worldviews
• Grow student leadership capacity to navigate difference skillfully 
• Provide mentorship and supervision for student Multifaith Program Assistants 
• Advance inclusion and equity through religious literacy initiatives
• Ensure support systems provide equitable access for spiritual practitioners
• Provide spiritual and pastoral care 
• Extend care and maintain confidentiality
• Keep mutual integrity at the heart of pastoral care interactions
• Provide trauma informed care that integrates conceptual understanding into practice
• Invest in campus capacity building work and partnerships 
• Collaborate with a range of campus partners and serve on college committees
• Actively engage in and contribute to the work of Institutional Equity by balancing CRSL department initiatives and Institutional Equity priorities
• Build and maintain local partnerships and participation in professional organizations
• Maintain memberships in, accreditation or standing with authorizing body
• Cultivate partnerships within the diverse Muslim communities of the Twin Cities
• Serve as an active member of the CRSL team and campus community.
• Completes other responsibilities as assigned.
• Participates as an active member of the team. 
• Participates in department and college activities and supports implementation of shared goals and initiatives. 
• Provides backup support to other members of the team.

• Minimum Master’s degree and theological education.
• Minimum 3 years experience in higher education, including student affairs, religious life, equity initiatives, or related professional experience including chaplaincy or leadership in Muslim community.
• Proficient in Arabic.
• Preferred one unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) and ordination, credentialing or ecclesiastical endorsement.
• Demonstrated experience providing spiritual care that is trauma informed and grounded in equity principles.
• Inclusive approach to spiritual care; knowledgeable of diverse religious, social, and cultural expressions in a global context.
• Ability to create and facilitate rituals that foster belonging and meaning-making for a religiously and culturally pluralistic community of young adults.
• Ability to cultivate relationships that engender personal growth and develop student leadership.
• Demonstrated knowledge and application of equity principles and intersectionality in a complex organization or higher education.
• Expressed understanding and articulation of the role of Chaplaincy within higher education. Evidence of and a commitment to interfaith education, universal design principles, anti-racism, equity and justice.
• Ability to co-steward a physical space that is home to many religious and cultural identities. Expertise in educating about resources and spaces that enable ease of practice for Muslims including prayer, dietary, and housing.  
• Demonstrated experience serving as a confidential resource for campus community. 
• Demonstrated ability to navigate complex conversations and sensitive situations with respect, clarity, directness, and grace.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience communicating with diversity of students, faculty, and staff, and ability to act with diplomacy.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret, analyze, and apply evidence-based decision-making. 
• Effective interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively in public contexts and digital forums. 
• Demonstrated ability to hold room for ambiguity, disagreement, suffering, joy and non-resolution; and appropriate use of boundaries that demonstrate mature understanding of spiritual authority in relational work
• Excellent communication skills and knowledge of MS Office Suite, Google Suite Applications, Wordpress, and budget management
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to prioritize competing demands and projects 

Compensation:

The starting salary range for this position is $56,000 to $59,000 (.75 FTE) and will be commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Benefits:

At Macalester, we are proud to offer excellent comprehensive employee benefits. Here are some highlights:

• 10% employer contributions to the retirement plan. 
• Generous Parental Leave. 
• Outstanding vacation and sick time packages, plus an additional 10 holidays.
• Comprehensive health insurance plans, including a generous employer contribution to Health Savings Account.
• Tuition assistance which pays between 75% - 100% of eligible tuition for employee dependents at select institutions.
• Free primary care for most services through Nice Healthcare when enrolled in a Macalester health plan.
• Access to the athletics fitness facility, wellness coaching and activities.

These are just some of the great benefits Macalester has to offer! To see our full benefits packages and options, please visit our Benefits Page.

 Satisfactory completion of a criminal background check is a condition of employment.

Application Guidelines:

For best consideration, please submit your cover letter and resume through the Macalester Employment Opportunities webpage by Friday, August 22nd. No applications will be received after this date.

Jaclyn Howard

Talent Acquisition Manager

jhoward3@Macalester.edu

Macalester is dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse and pluralistic staff committed to working in a multicultural environment and strongly encourages applications from everyone who would add richness to our community, including people of color, individuals with disabilities, women and LGBTQIA+ individuals.

Founded in 1874, Macalester College provides students with the inspiration, insight, and experience to become successful and ethical leaders. Located in flourishing St. Paul, Minnesota, Macalester enrolls over 2,000 students from across the country and around the world. Macalester is a preeminent liberal arts college recognized for its student service and celebration of internationalism.

At Macalester, we look at our employees through a whole-person, holistic lens. With comprehensive benefits and well-being programs, we provide and enable our community members to grow and care for themselves, their families, and one another. Our whole-hearted fidelity to community-building and social justice exemplify these ideals.  Macalester College continuously prioritizes a culturally diverse and pluralistic community. We value individuals of all backgrounds and lived experiences. 

Our rich blend of people holding varied identities enhances our strong commitment to multiculturalism and global citizenship. We seek candidates who reflect and strengthen our campus environment. Macalester invites and encourages everyone to apply who would add depth to our community including those from all sexual orientations, races, ethnicities, national origins, genders, religions, abilities, and ages.