Muslim Chaplain at Colby College in Benton, Maine

Job Description:

Job Description
Department:Office of Diversity, Equity, and InclusionPay Rate Type:SalaryEmployee Type:Job Summary:Part-time / Academic Year (10 Months)


The Muslim Chaplain reports to the Dean of Religious and Spiritual Life. This staff position supports all Muslim students, including oversight of weekly Jumu'ah prayers, advising Colby Muslim Association, and offering spiritual care and support. The Chaplain works with partners across campus both in supporting Muslim students and to foster a stronger campus community. Using proactive approaches, the Chaplain facilitates students' relationships with other student organizations, advocates to advance initiatives that contribute to Muslim students' success and well-being, provides social and programming opportunities, and works both on and off campus to foster a vibrant and welcoming community for Muslim students.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

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  Cultivate a diverse and welcoming Muslim community for students, faculty and staff within Colby College.

  
  


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  Coordinate and/or Lead Jumu'ah Prayer weekly during the academic year and lead halaqas with a focus on ensuring that all Muslim students, faculty and staff are welcome and included regardless of the sect of Islam they practice.

  
  


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  Mentor Colby Muslim Society (CMS) student leadership by offering relevant leadership education and working closely with student leaders as they plan and host CMS programs.

  
  


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  Build connections with all Muslim students as they arrive at Colby in order to ensure they are aware of the support and community building opportunities on campus.

  
  


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  Provide spiritual care to Muslim students that addresses their specific needs based on the sect of Islam with which the student identifies.

  
  


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  Create dynamic learning opportunities for students to grow and develop as Muslims.

  
  


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  Build and sustain meaningful relationships with recent alumni.

  
  


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  Nurture relationships between Colby students and local Muslim communities.

  
  


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  Maintain strong relationships with the leadership of the Pugh Center for Student Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, the Dean of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and the Center for Small Town Jewish Life to ensure comprehensive support for Muslim students.

  
  


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  Collaborate with the office of Housing and Residential Education to ensure safe and appropriate living environments for Muslim students.

  
  


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  Oversee the CMS budget and assist the CMS student treasurer in managing reporting requirements.

  
  


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  Manage the CMS spaces, including ensuring that the CMS room and Rose Chapel provide appropriate space for prayers.

  
  


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  Advise the Dean and facilities to ensure spaces address the needs of Muslim students, faculty and staff.

  
  


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  Provide guidance on matters related to Muslim customs and practices as needed.

  
  

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Skills and Qualifications

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  Completed courses and/or training related to college student development, religious studies, diversity/social justice, ethnic studies, and/or Muslim chaplaincy; or Experience in leadership in a Muslim religious community.

  
  


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  Experience communicating effectively with individuals across different styles through interpersonal, oral, written, and group presentation modalities.

  
  


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  Ability to manage time effectively, learn, and fully contribute to departmental tasks and goals.

  
  


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  Ability to develop and maintain positive and harmonious professional relationships in a team environment and with individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences.

  
  


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  Experience addressing and resolving differences and conflicts with colleagues, students, and others.

  
  


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  Demonstrated ability to analyze complex information and offer sound recommendations.

  
  


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  Ability to work evening and weekend hours based on operational needs.

  
  

Desired Qualifications

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  Master's degree in religion, chaplaincy, student affairs, higher education, social justice education or a related field required. Educational background in Muslim Chaplaincy strongly preferred.

  
  


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  Experience working college students in a professional capacity.

  
  


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  Exceptional applicants will have experience developing religious and spiritual wellness workshops/training as well as facilitating discussions about difficult or controversial topics with diverse audiences.

  
  


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  Experience in event planning and office administration.

  
  


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  Skilled in word processing and spreadsheet software proficiency, preferably Microsoft Office or Google Suite.

  
  

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Colby College is committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment where every member of the community feels a sense of respect and belonging.

General open office and campus environment. Position involves sitting, although frequent movement is necessary. Computer usage involving repetitive hand/wrist motion is also necessary. Weekend and evening hours may be required. Some travel is required.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

Successful and satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check).

ABOUT COLBY COLLEGE:

Founded in 1813, Colby is one of America's most selective colleges. Located in Waterville, Maine near the banks of the beautiful Kennebec River, Colby College is one of the nation's top liberal arts colleges. Colby's focus on innovative and leading-edge programs that complement the traditional liberal arts-in areas such as artificial intelligence, data science, genomics and computational biology, climate change and the environment, the arts and humanities, public policy, and performance studies, distinguish Colby from other schools of its size. Colby extends its reach, impact, and opportunities through external partnerships with globally recognized laboratories and medical facilities, arts organizations, and a wide array of business partners. The campus boasts beautiful new facilities including the Harold Alfond Athletics and Recreation Center, a best-in-class complex that has become a center for student activity; the Paul J. Schupf Art Center, a downtown community-based arts building; the forthcoming Gordon Center for Creative and Performing Arts, which includes a start-of-the-art performance hall, studios, screening rooms, and a grand community space (opening in 2023). The College recently established the Island Campus in mid-coast Maine after acquiring the Allen and Benner Islands, once owned by the Wyeth family, to offer Colby students unique and timely cross disciplinary research opportunities in a range of academic disciplines, including the marine sciences and the arts.

Over the last seven years applications for admission have more than tripled, making Colby one of the most sought-after colleges in the country. The College's unyielding commitment to diversity and inclusion is evident in its rapidly changing student population. In recent years Colby has doubled both the number of enrolled Pell-eligible students and the number of enrolled students of color. Colby students, who come from throughout the U.S. and more than 70 countries, demonstrate unprecedented highs on every measure of academic achievement. Investments in financial aid (a 111 percent increase since 2014, to $58.6 million annually) and new programs are ensuring that all members of the community can thrive in this dynamic environment. Colby has raised $700 million toward its $750 million Dare Northward campaign goal, which was the largest campaign goal for a liberal arts college when it launched in 2017. Since 2014, the College's net assets have doubled to more than $2 billion, its record of fundraising has moved to the very top tier of liberal arts colleges, and it has rapidly expanded its faculty and staff to allow for new areas of inquiry, scholarship, and teaching, and to support record enrollments.

Colby is a private, coeducational liberal arts college that admits students and makes employment decisions on the basis of the individual's qualifications to contribute to Colby's educational objectives and institutional needs. Colby College does not discriminate in its educational programs or employment on the basis of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, religion, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, or military or veteran's status. Colby is an equal opportunity employer and operates in accordance with federal and state laws regarding non-discrimination. Colby complies with Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in an institution's education programs and activities. Questions regarding Title IX may be referred to Colby's Title IX coordinator or to the federal Office of Civil Rights. We encourage inquiries from candidates who will contribute to the diversity of our College, including its cultural and ethnic diversity.

For more information about the College, please visit our website: www.colby.edu.