Buddhist Spiritual Advisor (Chaplain) at Northeastern University

Buddhist Spiritual Advisor (Chaplain) at Northeastern University

BUDDHIST SPIRITUAL ADVISOR (“Chaplain”) at NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY, BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS

NU’s Spiritual Advisors are paid positions covering several classic “chaplaincy” or “campus ministry” functions but with an expanded emphasis on advancing the educational mission of the University and its Center for Spirituality, Dialogue, and Service. A successful candidate will have significant experience as an educator and leader in educational, religious, and/or nonprofit settings; excellent communication, dialogue, organizational, and conflict resolution skills; experience in interfaith work; deep knowledge and experience of one’s own spiritual/religious tradition and respect for others’; a passion for working with diverse groups of students, and a commitment to developing student leaders who are interculturally adept, ethically reflective, and spiritually grounded global citizens. Each Spiritual Advisor is supervised by Alexander Levering Kern, the Center’s Executive Director.

The Buddhist Spiritual Advisor will:

• Work with the Center for Spirituality, Dialogue and Service (CSDS) Executive Director and staff to plan and implement dynamic programs of spirituality, dialogue and service -- bringing the religious/spiritual teachings, practices, and culture(s) of the SA's specific tradition to bear on the interfaith/intercultural mission of the Center.
• Design a strategy of outreach/hospitality/engagement to students, faculty, and staff within the SA's religious/spiritual tradition.
• Advise student organization(s) serving the SA's specific religious/spiritual tradition.
• Keep office hours for spiritual advising/guidance/care.
• Be available as needed to meet with and serve students of all religious/spiritual traditions, and none.
• Meet regularly with team of SAs for dialogue and planning (once a month, Thursday afternoons, 1-3pm).
• With the Center's Executive Director, work to build bridges of communication and cooperation with the SA's specific religious/spiritual tradition locally, nationally, and globally.
• As available, serve as a representative of the SA's religious/spiritual tradition in University forums, interfaith services, events, conferences and symposia, experiential education, service/dialogue programs, urban and foreign study trips, academic classes, etc.
• Other duties as assigned.

Experience, Qualifications and Qualities Identified by Buddhist Student Group:

Openness; ability to incorporate what students desire out of the Buddhist Group; a dialogue rather than solely lecture-based approach to teaching; experience teaching/guiding meditation; significant knowledge about Buddhist teachings, yet humble and able to meet Buddhist and non-Buddhist students “where they are”; ability to relate Buddhist teachings to all interested students and to varied contexts; flexibility & fluidity; significant knowledge of Buddhist-based practices; academic study in philosophy and/or Eastern religions desirable; international experience with some knowledge of different forms of Buddhism, its variety of practices, historical development, etc. desirable; experience in university setting desirable; experience in meditation/retreat center settings desirable; experience in interfaith dialogue and cooperation; social engagement in the context of Buddhism.

The position is part-time, and could include teaching in Northeastern CSDS’ acclaimed Mindfulness Program, and working in collaboration with other colleges and chaplaincy settings.

Northeastern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Educational Institution and Employer, Title IX University. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by the law. Northeastern University is an E-Verify Employer.