What are the responsibilities and job description for the Associate Dean for Spiritual and Professional Formation position at Sewanee?
Salary
Depends on Qualifications
Location
Sewanee, TN
Job Type
Staff Full-Time
Job Number
202100437
Division
School of Theology
Department
School of Theology
Opening Date
04/14/2025
DESCRIPTION
BENEFITS
Position Overview
Primary Function:
Responsible for oversight of spiritual and professional formation at the School of Theology, forming students (and families, when applicable) for ministry.
This position works with considerable independence and self-direction. Only the general direction and scope of the work to be accomplished are discussed with the supervisor.
Position Appointment Details:
- Career Band: 2E
- Full-Time
Position Description
Typical Duties & Responsibilities:
- Responsible for working closely with the Dean to provide pastoral care to students and to foster their spiritual and professional formation. The Associate Dean functions as a member of the faculty.
- Responsible for oversight of pastoral care. Serve as the primary pastor to students and their families. Recruit, contract with, and manage a roster of outside spiritual directors. When appropriate, draw in other clergy to provide pastoral care and supervise their work.
- Oversees spiritual formation of students, under the direction of the Dean. Arranges semiannual Quiet Days, recruiting and contracting with leaders (typically a bishop or priest from the wider Episcopal Church). Coordinates the offerings of contemplative prayer groups. Supervises the students’ Rule of Life and advising groups (and in doing so, guides the tenured and tenure-track faculty).
- Responsible for the oversight of new student orientation, coordinating student volunteers, and working with other offices within the School of Theology to ensure that new students are provided the background they need to begin their studies.
- Serves as deployment officer for ordination-track students. Coordinates their registration with the Episcopal Church’s Office of Transition Ministries, coaches them on generating their OTM profile, advises on resume-writing, and coaches interviewing skills. Collects and disseminates information about open clergy positions. Responds to queries from bishops, diocesan officials, and rectors seeking to hire graduating students.
- Designs and conducts or contracts with outside providers for professional development workshops required for graduation, including Title IV, Constitution and Canons, Safe Church, Anti-Racism.
- Responsible for supporting, communicating with, and liaising with student organizations.
- Responsible for assisting international students in collaboration with the University’s Office of Global Citizenship.
Judgement Required:
Performance of the essential duties of this position is dependent upon independent ingenuity and developmental efforts.
Budgetary Responsibility:
Analyze budgetary data and develop budget proposals.
Machines & Equipment Used:
Typical office equipment
Personal Interactions/Communication:
Student Contact: Daily— Involving pastoral care concerns, canonical process concerns, referrals for spiritual direction and mental health services, liaison/oversight of assigned student committees.
Daily—communications as needed with faculty, staff, weekly meetings with School of Theology Dean’s Council, faculty meetings as scheduled, participating on committees
External (Regents & Trustees, government officials or agencies, visitors, parents, other institutions, colleges, or companies, suppliers)
As assigned—communicating with off-site counselors, spiritual directors, other seminaries, church agencies, hiring entities, Office of Transition Ministries, etc.
Attributes of a Successful Candidate
Education:
Master of Divinity
Experience:
Experience in theological education and parish ministry.
Job Related Skills:
Building Christian community, problem solving and conflict management, pastoral leadership, and administration.
Licenses/Certification:
Ordained Episcopal priest
Supplemental Information
Confidential Information:
Personal, mental health, spiritual, and pastoral issues of students (and families when applicable)
Working Environment:
Normal office environments, some classroom teaching when applicable, and travel to represent SOT
Additional requirements specific to this position:
If you have questions about a position, the University application process, or if you are a person with a disability and would like to request an accommodation in the application and interview process, please contact Human Resources at 931.598.1381 or email us at hr@sewanee.edu.
The University of the South, commonly known as Sewanee, comprises a nationally ranked residential College of Arts and Sciences and a School of Theology. The University is strongly committed to the values of intellectual inquiry, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and living and serving in community. Situated on 13,000 acres atop Tennessee’s Cumberland Plateau, Sewanee is known for its stunning natural beauty while providing easy access to Chattanooga, Nashville, and Huntsville. The University is affiliated with the Episcopal Church and seeks to help employees of all backgrounds and identities flourish.
DEI Institutional Statement:
At the University of the South, our commitment to inclusion and belonging is grounded in our core values of curiosity, community, and character. We seek to build a community enriched by our diversity and centered on equity, justice, mutual respect, and shared responsibility.
Equal Employment Opportunity:
The University of the South is an equal-opportunity educational institution that is committed to creating and maintaining a diverse and inclusive campus environment.
Employer
University of the South
Address
735 University Avenue
Sewanee, Tennessee, 37383
Phone
9315981381
Website
https://new.sewanee.edu/hr/
