Vassar College
Associate Dean of The College for Religious and Spiritual Life and Contemplative Practice Department: Dean Of The College Office
Duration of Position: Academic year / Full time
Work Schedule: Employee Type: Administrator
Posting Date: 03/12/2025
Union Representation: Not Applicable
Posting Number: AS591P
Pay Rate: Compensation: The starting annual base salary range for this full-time, 11 month position is $91,700-$119,200.
When extending an offer, Vassar College considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, budget, and other market and organizational considerations. The starting salary range represents the College s good faith and reasonable estimate at the time of posting.
About Vassar College Located in the scenic Mid-Hudson Valley, Vassar College is a highly selective, residential, coeducational liberal arts college. Vassar stands upon the
homelands of the Munsee Lenape .
Vassar College is deeply committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees by promoting an environment of transparency and respect for differences. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds who meet the qualifications of a posting. If you need to request an accommodation to fully participate in the search process, please contact
. Vassar College is a smoke-free, tobacco-free campus.
Vassar College offers a comprehensive benefits package for administrators which includes:
- 22 vacation days for full time employees prorated if not full time, unlimited paid personal and sick time for use at the supervisor s approval.
- 14 paid holidays per year which includes the week between Christmas and New Year s Day.
- A choice of three health plans (EPO, PPO, High Deductible), Participation in FSA, Dependent Care, and Transit programs.
- Voluntary, employee paid dental insurance plan.
- Life Insurance and Voluntary Supplemental Life Insurance
- Employer paid short-term and long-term disability programs.
- 403(b) defined contribution plan after one year of service. For more information, visit:
- New hires will be automatically enrolled in the SRA at a 4% employee contribution per paycheck.
- Tuition benefits for undergraduate programs: Eligible after applicable waiting period. For more information, visit:
Position Summary and Responsibilities Reporting to the Dean of the College, the Associate Dean provides collaborative leadership for the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life and Contemplative Practices (RSCLP) in support of the
educational mission of the College . The Associate Dean directs and supervises a team of religious life professionals and a circle of campus Affiliate Advisors to support vibrant communities of practice grounded in specific religious, spiritual, and contemplative traditions, encouraging and supporting students as they explore their own and other traditions. The work of the office is anchored in a model of chaplaincy that seeks to move beyond identity-based fragmenting of communities and actively cultivates transformative experiences of belonging-in-difference. The Associate Dean provides thoughtful and informed guidance on the changing nature of religious life and the role of contemplative traditions in secular liberal arts education.
Responsibilities- Provide spiritual leadership and vision to promote the spiritual well-being of the diverse student community on a secular campus. Work with campus partners to develop best practices and policies for campus religious life today, navigating expectations of both on-campus and off-campus communities.
- Provide support, counsel, and guidance to individuals and groups in times of crisis or significant campus grief, serving as a resource for students, family and extended members of the college community.
- Provide thought leadership around how we mark annual traditions and key events for campus religious, spiritual and contemplative traditions.
- Offer practices and support campus observances of the Associate Dean s own tradition.
- Promote inter-religious discussion, learning, and engagement among religious, spiritual, and secular student communities.
- Oversee the administration and budget for the RSLCP Office and related programming and spaces.
- Collaborate with Advancement to maintain supportive donor relationships.
- Oversee and supervise student interns to serve the campus through creative student-centered and student-initiated programming.
- Advise, support, offer leadership development, and help fund student religious and spiritual communities at the college.
- Collaborate with the multiple offices and initiatives within the Dean of the College area to promote the health, well-being, contemplative practices, and life-callings of students.
- Convene an inter-religious advisory committee of faculty and administrators.
- Participate on college committees relevant to supporting students and student groups.
Qualifications Required knowledge, skills and abilities- Master s degree in religious leadership or equivalent training and a minimum of five years of leadership and supervisory experience as a campus religious professional.
- 5+ years of experience cultivating inter-religious collaboration and demonstrated understanding of the role of religious and spiritual life in a liberal arts residential college.
- 5+ years of experience creating and leading collective rituals in both established and nonce forms that meet the campus needs.
- Demonstrated interpersonal competencies, embodying empathy and the ability to meet people in crisis situations and differentiate between self and other quickly.
- Familiarity with secular contemplative practices and tradition-specific contemplative practices.
- Extensive budget management experience and the ability to use resources efficiently.
- Experience developing student leadership and student-centered programming.
- Excellent public speaking, including ability to find resonant spiritual language in secular settings.
- Excellent critical thinking and communication skills.
- Proven capacity to navigate campus systems and organizations, and cultivate a sense of shared undertaking and collaborative possibility across differences.
- Ability to manage competing priorities and to constructively navigate sensitive, difficult and high-visibility situations.
Preferred knowledge, skills and abilities:- Training in a tradition of contemplative practice (secular or spiritual/religious).
- Ordination or its equivalent sponsored by the candidate s religious tradition.
- A doctoral degree in theological education or equivalent
Special Instructions to Applicants To complete your on-line application, you will be required to attach your resume, cover letter, and contact information for 3 professional references. All attachments must be in PDF format. Review of applications will begin immediately. If you have any questions, please contact Human Resources, .
For full consideration applicants should apply by: All applicants must apply online at: .
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