Assistant Director of Spiritual Life

Title: Assistant Director of Spiritual Life
Department: Spiritual Life/Student Life

Position Type: Full-time, 12-month position
Reports To: Director of Spiritual Life and College Chaplain

Summary: The Assistant Director of Spiritual Life is responsible for supporting and enhancing the spiritual and moral/ethical development of students at Principia College. This role involves working closely with the Director of Spiritual Life and College Chaplain to develop and implement programs, services, and initiatives that promote a dynamic spiritual atmosphere on campus. The Assistant Director will engage with students, faculty, and staff to foster a community that reflects the values of Principia College, including prayer, spiritual engagement, integrity, love, service, and respect for others.

This position is ideal for a candidate with a deep commitment to spiritual growth, a love for working with college students, and an understanding of Christian Science principles and values and their application in daily life. A skilled administrator, the Assistant Director helps create programs and resources that foster students’ spiritual development, cultivating an environment where students can grow spiritually, ethically, intellectually, and personally.

Who We Are

At Principia College, our globally focused curriculum honors diverse perspectives and develops creative changemakers who use their academic skills for good in service to themselves, their communities, and the world. In-depth study meets real-world experience through study abroad programs, internships, capstone projects, and a robust slate of student activities, including a world-renowned mediation team, top-ranked solar car team, national champion rugby club, and the nation’s oldest student-run public affairs conference.

Principia employees are part of an engaging academic community preparing students to be tomorrow’s leaders, thinkers, and changemakers. We strive to create a collaborative and inclusive environment where everyone feels they belong and are valued.

Work Performed: Essential Duties

• Assist the Director of Spiritual Life in planning, organizing, facilitating, and assessing existing and expanding Spiritual Life programming on campus, including but not limited to: spiritual retreats and trips (over Fall, Winter, Spring, and/or Summer breaks, as well as occasional weekends during the academic semester), Friday Faith in Action programs, the Spiritual Life “Light of the World” podcast, church and chapel services, Sunday Evening Sing, Quiet Time and other possible prayer meetings, and special events. Encourage student participation and engagement in these activities.
• Aid the Director with planning and carrying out Spiritual Life’s significant role in orientation programs for new students, including pre-fall off-campus retreat for all incoming students, as well as extensive programming during orientation week.
• Collaborate with student organizations and other campus departments to help integrate spiritual development into the broader college experience. Engage with student leaders to promote spiritual and ethical dialogue within the campus community.
• Curate and maintain resources such as books, literature, and digital content related to Christian Science and spiritual growth, making these available to the community at the Spiritual Life Center and elsewhere on campus. Promote and help grow the audience for the Spiritual Life “Light of the World” podcast.
• Help develop and manage a Principia College Spiritual Life website, developing this resource as an online tool to engage both current and prospective students.
• Help lead study groups or workshops for students on spiritual topics, encouraging exploration of new ideas that nurture spiritual well-being.
• Support the Director of Spiritual Life in planning, developing, and leading possible new worship services and chapel programs and other spiritual events, including holiday observances, guest speakers, and retreats. Help create a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere for all students, whatever their faith background.
• Be a visible and approachable member of the campus community, participating in informal conversations with students, faculty, and staff. Promote the mission of Principia College and the importance of spiritual life within the context of academic and personal growth. Encourage students, faculty, and staff to nurture their spiritual well-being and seek out spiritual guidance, including meeting with the College Chaplain for pastoral care and/or campus Christian Science practitioners for prayer and Christian Science treatment.
• Help manage and oversee use of the Spiritual Life Center at Cox Cottage, welcoming guests, scheduling use of prayer and study rooms, and supporting the needs of five Christian Science practitioners and one Director of Christian Science Nursing. Maintain calendar of appointments for College Chaplain as well as Christian Science practitioners.
• Help promote Spiritual Life programming through collaborating with marketing on advertising materials, updating the Principia Calendar, and publishing regular messages to the Principia community encouraging attendance and participation at events.
• Assist with other administrative tasks related to Spiritual Life work, including maintaining records, preparing reports, submitting and filing invoices and check requests, and assisting with program budgets and reconciling expenses. Help coordinate weekly logistics for events and services.

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Problem-solving.
• Sensitivity, knowledge, and understanding of the diverse backgrounds of community members, especially students from various faith backgrounds, with a continuous focus on relationship building.
• Oral communication: speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; responds well and non-judgmentally to questions with solution-oriented goals; is able to inspire open, productive, and challenging conversations.
• Written communication: Writes clearly and informatively, as well as persuasively and passionately, when necessary.
• Teamwork: Exhibits objectivity, open-mindedness, empathy, and understanding with regard to other’s views. Is able to build morale and inspire action.
• Aligns work with strategic goals and professional best practices.
• Ethics: Treats people with respect; works ethically and with integrity; upholds confidentiality.
• Strategic Thinking: Develops strategies to achieve organizational goals; adapts strategy to changing conditions.
• Judgment: Displays willingness to make decisions; exhibits sound and accurate judgment; supports and explains reasoning for decisions; includes appropriate people in decision-making process.
• Professionalism: Approaches others in a tactful manner; reacts well under pressures; treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; accepts responsibility for own actions; follows through on commitments.

Special Additional Duties and Requirements for Student Life staff:

• Deep commitment to the Cause of Christian Science
• Actively supports religious activities on campus
• Selfless and humble role model in the spirit of Christ Jesus; wisely discerning and able to lead thought gently from the basis of Christian Science
• Is an active Character educator in accordance with Education at The Principia and the “Purpose and Policies of The Principia” supporting students and turning them to Christian Science at all times
• Committed to the mission and goals of Principia and the department as defined and with emphasis on Principia’s Policy 19, the College Wide Learning Outcomes, and department student learning outcomes
• Knowledge of and commitment to the values of Principia College, particularly its Christian Science foundation.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Student of Christian Science; member of Christian Science Church and/or Organization and completed Christian Science class instruction
• Supportive of Principia’s guiding statements as articulated here https://www.principia.edu/about/mission
• Bachelor’s degree; Master’s degree from a seminary or in religious field strongly preferred. If without a Master’s degree, willingness to pursue a Master of Divinity or similar seminary degree part-time, outside of regular working hours, to be completed within 5-6 years.
• Preferred at least 2-3 years of experience working in student ministry, faith formation, spiritual counseling, or related fields, preferably in a college or university setting.
• Experience in leading spiritual programming and group facilitation.
• Ability to see the larger picture for programs and communications.
• Demonstrated program coordination and organizational skills.
• Familiarity with and commitment to educational ideas in Education at the Principia by Mary Kimball Morgan.
• Occasional evening and weekend work required for chapel services, events, and student meetings; may involve local travel for events or outreach.
• The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed but are not to be seen as a complete list of responsibilities and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.

Compensation and Benefits

We offer a competitive salary range for this position: $74,500-$78,420 annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

In addition to salary, our comprehensive total rewards package includes:

• Generous Employee Tuition Discount: Enjoy a 90% discount on tuition (pro-rated for part-time staff) for your eligible children enrolled from Pre-K3 through College (infant and acorn programs excluded).
• Relocation: Principia provides a relocation imbursement of up to 12% of your annual salary, when moving from outside a radius of more than 50 miles
• Professional Development: Access to learning opportunities, training programs, and career growth support.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Learn more about all our benefits here, including comprehensive health, dental, and vision plans, paid time off, a 403(b) retirement plan with Principia matching, and more.

Equal Opportunity

Principia, a mission-driven institution, believes every person has the right to an equitable and respectful educational environment and workplace. Principia does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, gender (identity or expression), sexual orientation, family status, disability, age, or military or veteran status.

In hiring, admissions, and related decisions, Principia—as an institution with a religious mission—gives preference, where appropriate, to Christian Scientists.