CTR FOR FAITH ENGAGEMENT - Student Missions & Service Program Director

Job Classification

  Salaried Full-time (75-100%)

Position summary

The Student Missions and Service Program Director is responsible for designing, leading and implementing the Center for Faith Engagement’s Student Missions Service-Learning programs. The Program Director seeks to provide inspirational leadership, working together with university entities to promote the University’s Mission and deep commitment for all members of the campus community to engage in a life of meaningful service.

Qualifications summary

• Must be a Seventh-day Adventist in regular standing.


• Undergraduate degree required; graduate degree strongly preferred. 


• Minimum of two years of experience in service, outreach and/or disaster relief required


• Minimum of two years of event planning and volunteer coordination


• Commitment to Mission & Values: Evidence of strong dedication to Seventh-day Adventist mission and beliefs, faith development, and student success.


• 
  Prior work experience in higher education preferred.
  

Must be a Seventh-day Adventist in good and regular standing.

Duties and responsibilities

The following categories of duties and responsibilities are representative but not exhaustive: 

Student Missions 

1. Direct the full cycle of the Student Missions Program, including recruitment, promotion, training, support for active missionaries and reintegration of returning missionaries.

1. Manage the modules and coordinate instructors for RELP 325 missions’ preparation course as well as maintaining the Missions Manual. 


2. Lead and manage the student missions team to execute mission-related logistics, including application screening, interviews, training, travel arrangements, paperwork, and fundraising support.


3. Lead fundraising and scholarship efforts for student missions and service programs.


4. Support student missionaries abroad and upon return, providing care packages, crisis response, coaching, re-entry interviews, retreats, and serve as SM club sponsor for returned missionaries.


5. Lead in the strategic planning to promote and support campus-wide departmental short-term mission trips.


6. Lead and organize and implement at least one CFE short-term mission trip per year.

Service-Learning 

2. Develop, direct and promote service-learning initiatives, including Service Sabbaths, Change Day, and community engagement opportunities.

1. Coordinate with local community organizations, churches, and missions entities for service opportunities, including the Center for Community Change.


2. Coordinate with campus partners to promote the University’s commitment to service


3. Maintain an inventory of needs or requests for services in our local community.

Campus Programming 

3. Direct missions team to effectively plan and implement mission and service-learning related campus programs, such as Faith360, Missions Emphasis weeks, Co-Curricular short courses, and graduation recognition.

Committees and Other Duties 

4. Serve as a Center for Faith Engagement representative, participating in committees, including Faith Development Committee, Community Change Council, and designated Campus & Student Life committees,

5. Performs additional duties as assigned by the University Chaplain.

Supervisory responsibilities

• Direct a team of graduate and undergraduate student chaplains to execute the functions and duties of the Student Missions and Services program. 


• Manage various-sized, volunteer teams comprised of students, faculty/staff, and members of the community short term missions and one-day service projects.  

Qualifications

Education & Experience

·         Must be a Seventh-day Adventist in regular standing.

·         An undergraduate degree required, and graduate degree strongly preferred, in religion, social work, education, communication, or related field.

·         Minimum of two years of experience in service, outreach and/or disaster relief required.

·         Minimum of two years of event planning and volunteer coordination in the non-profit sector or similar experience with service-learning initiatives on a university campus preferred.

·         Working knowledge of service learning and/or experiential learning theory preferred.

·         Prior work experience in higher education preferred.

 

Skills & Competencies

• Commitment to Mission & Values: Evidence of strong dedication to Seventh-day Adventist mission and beliefs, faith development, and student success.


• Leadership & Collaboration: Can supervise students, faculty, staff, and volunteers in planning and executing service projects and student missions.


• Organizational & Planning Skills: Can manage budgeting, financials, marketing, fundraising, and volunteer coordination to support program goals.


• Communication & Management: Exceptional skills in oral, written, and visual communication, multitasking, and ability to work independently and collaboratively.


• Problem-Solving & Adaptability: Evidence of strong reasoning skills, ability to adapt, and discretion in handling complex situations.


• Subject Matter Expertise: Understanding of service learning, mission theories, project management, international mission vetting, placement, and documentation.

• Interpersonal Interactions: Understanding of culture and ability to establish good rapport with persons from diverse backgrounds and collaborative working relationships with a variety of internal and external entities.

Must be a Seventh-day Adventist in good and regular standing.

Technical competencies

N/A

Interpersonal interactions

N/A

Physical demands

·         Must be able to sit, walk, bend, stretch, talk, see, and hear regularly. Occasionally lift/move up to 50-75 lbs and navigate various work sites, including painting, home repair, landscaping, and cleaning. Participation in physically demanding tasks is optional.

·         Primarily office-based but includes community and international settings, both indoors and outdoors, in varying weather conditions. Noise levels may range from moderate to high.

Work environment

·         The employee will be expected to meet a flexible work schedule that frequently includes evening and weekend responsibilities.

·         The employee may be required to accompany students on overnight trips, be lodged in temporary quarters (such as tents), and encounter conditions consistent with underserved areas or disaster zones.

·         The employee must be prepared to travel outside of the United States, if needed.