Associate Dean for Religious Life and Advisor for Muslim Life (Academic Year Only) – Stanford University

Job Description

The Associate Dean for Religious and Spiritual Life and Advisor for Muslim Life will serve as a key member of the Office for Religious and Spiritual Life’s multifaith team to guide, nurture, and enhance spiritual life at the University. Reporting to the Dean for Religious and Spiritual Life, the Associate Dean will advise Stanford’s ethnically and culturally diverse Muslim population, working alongside and with students to support a vibrant community on campus. The Associate Dean will also engage the broader University community, providing opportunities to facilitate religious practice and coordinate religious accommodations, foster multifaith engagement across differences, and promote spiritual wellness in line with our departmental values. This is a 10-month, academic year position.

CORE DUTIES*:

• Articulate and reflect the values of the Office for Religious and Spiritual Life across campus. 
• Serve as a religious leader and advisor with and for Muslim students, including the Muslim Student Union. 
• Provide vision and ensure leadership for Jumu’ah prayers and Halaqua study on campus along with other small group gatherings based on student interest.
• Hold regular office hours to support, mentor, guide, and counsel students.
• Ensure all students can observe practices, without undue burden. This position will ensure best-practices for supporting students’ religious needs and fostering a sense of community and belonging. 
• Design, direct, and facilitate engaging multifaith opportunities. This will include thoughtful facilitation of dialogue, meaningful framing of pressing issues of the day, and the ability to hold space for students to explore multiple identities.
• Provide thoughtful and compassionate spiritual care for students, faculty, staff, alumni and other members of the university community. 
• Console bereaved members of the community through attentive and sensitive spiritual care, including shaping meaningful services and providing a calm, non-anxious presence in times of tragedy. 
• Others duties as assigned.
   

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Education & Experience:

A Master’s degree in Muslim Chaplaincy, Islamic Studies, Religious Studies, or Divinity/Theology and five years of relevant experience or combination of education and relevant experience. Specific experience nurturing Muslim religious life, developing and supporting student leadership, and fostering vibrant multifaith engagement strongly preferred. Candidates must have significant experience in higher education chaplaincy and interfaith team leadership. Clinical Pastoral Education is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Acute pastoral sensitivity and discretion.
• Ordination or professional religious training in a recognized faith community.
• Experience in a role of religious leadership. Thorough understanding and performance of ritual and ritual practices.
• Demonstrated effectiveness in leading public worship (including religious teaching/preaching), in moderation of discussions, and in intelligent presentations of religious, spiritual and societal questions and challenges.
• Enthusiasm and capacity for working imaginatively with people of diverse cultural backgrounds and religious traditions. 
• Demonstrated effectiveness in counsel, support, and inspiration of young adults.
• Knowledge of multiple religious traditions. 
• Ability to work independently, complete assignments, accomplish administrative tasks, and exercise sound judgment in determining priorities.
  Applicants from diverse religious communities and with experience working in and among historically marginalized communities are encouraged to apply.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS*:

• Frequently sitting.
• Occasionally perform desk-based computer tasks, stand/walk, writing by hand, use a telephone, lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh 11-20 pounds.
• Rarely sort/file paperwork or parts, rarely twist/bend/stoop/squat.
  * – Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• May work evening and weekend hours.

WORK STANDARDS:

• Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.
• Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.
• Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University’s Administrative Guide, http://adminguide.stanford.edu.

Why Stanford is for You  

Imagine a world without search engines or social platforms. Consider lives saved through first-ever organ transplants and research to cure illnesses. Stanford University has revolutionized the way we live and enrich the world. Supporting this mission is our diverse and dedicated 17,000 staff. We seek talent driven to impact the future of our legacy. Our culture and unique perks empower you with:  

• Freedom to grow. We offer career development programs, tuition reimbursement, or audit a course. Join a TedTalk, film screening, or listen to a renowned author or global leader speak.  
• A caring culture. We provide superb retirement plans, generous time-off, and family care resources.  
• A healthier you. Climb our rock wall or choose from hundreds of health or fitness classes at our world-class exercise facilities. We also provide excellent health care benefits.  
• Discovery and fun. Stroll through historic sculptures, trails, and museums.  
• Enviable resources. Enjoy free commuter programs, ridesharing incentives, discounts and more.