Community Advocacy Coordinator- Spiritual Life

Search:#988
Date Posted: 11/30/2021
Type/Department:Administrator in Student Affairs
Search Status:Search Suspended
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Hampshire College

Department:  Office of Community Advocacy - Division of Student Life  

Job Title: Community Advocacy Coordinator- Spiritual Life

Position Type: Full Time

Schedule: 35 Hours a week

Pay Range/ Status: $42,000 - $46,000/ Exempt

Location: Hampshire College Campus in Amherst, MA

Reports to: Director of Community Advocacy

Anticipated Start Date: March 21, 2022   (Anticipated Start Date extended on 1/19/2022)

 

Hampshire College, an independent, innovative liberal arts institution and member of the Five College consortium, is located on a beautiful rural campus in Amherst, Massachusetts. We provide residential undergraduate education to nearly 600 students. Each department at Hampshire College contributes to the collaborative culture of the organization and plays an important role in the success of the College. The mission of student life is to create and support opportunities and experiences that promote a diverse community. Through collaboration, we aim to build a community that guides themselves under principles of active listening; frequent reflection and evaluation, respect for others, even in disagreement; constant intellectual and emotional growth; integrity; justice; and safety for all members of the Hampshire community. As part of the community advocacy team, you will be instrumental in the department achieving its mission and goals, particularly regarding the spiritual needs of our student population!

DESCRIPTION OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

The community advocacy coordinator for spiritual life is a full time, 12-month professional staff member, reporting to the director of the office of community advocacy, which proactively ensures underrepresented students have a voice, space and place where they feel listened to, included and advocated for; staff invest time and efforts to demonstrate authenticity and care for all students while paying close attention to the varying needs of students from different cultural backgrounds and identities that may require focused support and considerations.

The coordinator is a student development practitioner who cares deeply about forming strong relationships and engaging in meaningful experiences with students, open to new and challenging experiences directed towards professional growth. This position needs to be highly motivated, diverse, and culturally competent to demonstrate a commitment to social justice and active citizenship as well as fostering exploration, community engagement, and the development of students. This position needs to be highly visible, maintain strong connections and work successfully with students, faculty, staff, parents and external constituents. The coordinator must have experience in program management and feel comfortable working in an evolving, fast-paced, organizational framework with shifting responsibilities. Additionally, the coordinator will exhibit strong skills regarding facilitation, program planning, and advising. Critical thinking, problem solving, strong communication, and organization skills are essential for success. The coordinator will strive to cultivate student learning and development by encouraging exploration as well as providing educational and experiential opportunities. 

The coordinator shares in the responsibility for all facets of the office of community advocacy. Under the director’s leadership, mentorship and strategic guidance, the community advocacy coordinator will assist in the development, implementation, and assessment of programs within three functional areas: Intercultural and Educational Programs, Student Support and Engagement, and Identity Development. In addition, community advocacy programs promote the well-being of the entire campus community, fosters connections across social identities and ideas, engages in passionate and compassionate dialogue and restorative practices, support and  provide resources for the holistic development of students with the goals of nourishing student initiatives, increasing awareness and appreciation of different cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives; and encouraging understanding and mutual respect as Hampshire College actively work towards social change and becoming anti-racist.

The community advocacy coordinator will have the opportunity to lead and manage Spiritual Life Services while also collaborating in the facilitation of other areas within the community advocacy umbrella: the Lebrón-Wiggins Pran Cultural Center with a focus on support, advocacy, and programming for S.O.U.R.C.E. (students of underrepresented cultures and ethnicities), first generation, and low-income students; QUEER Services; Women’s Services; special focus of functioning areas to include but are not limited to intersectional programming, community building initiatives, support services, dialogue facilitation and educational resources.

The staff member contributes to campus-wide educational initiatives, for instance the ENGAGE Day of Learning, New and Transfer Student Orientation, Community Orientation, and Community Education Day that advances the College’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. Participates as a committed member of the student life team in college and divisional committee work, projects, meetings, retreats and overall community development, assists in the coordination and facilitation of academic courses, co-curricular activities and services for students. Availability to work evenings and weekends is required.

REQUIRED SKILLS:

  • Passionate about working in an organization that values and promotes diversity, equity, inclusion and anti-racism.
  • Experience working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
  • Strengthens Hampshire College’s climate for diversity, equity & inclusion.
  • Demonstrates skill in understanding of cultural differences.
  • Promotes diversity, equity and inclusion activities.
  • Employs anti-racist practices and principles to accomplish work.
  • Incorporates an anti-racist and anti-oppressive lens into regular practice.
  • Ability to serve as an advocate for individuals of all ethnicities, genders, ages and backgrounds.
  • Understands the specific experiences of historically marginalized racial groups in the U.S., particularly Black, Indigenous, and Latinx groups.
  • Ability to flex communication style to multiple cultural environments.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, and ability to present to diverse audiences, specifically racially, ethnically, and socioeconomically diverse communities.
  • Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive and equitable working relationships with students, faculty, staff and community members.
  • Supports and enhances a sense of belonging and success of students from traditionally marginalized populations.
  • Demonstrates an understanding of diversity, equity, inclusion and anti-oppression concepts and issues, especially as they apply to BIPOC and identity-based students
  • Teaches using equitable and inclusive pedagogy.
  • Strong knowledge of diversity, equity, inclusion, anti-racism, anti-oppression and social justice.
  • Experience incorporating the perspectives of multiple communities, including communities of color.
  • An understanding of the concepts of institutional and structural racism and their impact on underserved and underrepresented communities.
  • Knowledge of high impact strategies that promote persistence and degree completion, and reduce time to completion, particularly for underrepresented students
  • Understanding of Student Development Theory, knowledge of higher education trends and best practices, administration and governance
  • Ability to function independently and complete projects with limited supervision
  • Excellent interpersonal and team building skills.
  • Ability to analyze data, interpret results and make recommendations.
  • Ability to develop and maintain positive, professional relationships.
  • Highly organized and able to prioritize in a fast-paced, team- oriented environment.
  • Ability to manage ambiguity as well as collaborative decision-making structures
  • Experience presenting to groups
  • Strong supervisory, problem-solving and collaborative skills
  • Ability to pay close attention to detail for budget tracking
  • Familiarity with computer programs: Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Creative Suite, Information management (Colleague), social media applications, student activities platforms, etc.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATION, EDUCATION, AND EXPERIENCE:

Advanced degree, preferably in higher education or student affairs administration.

Minimum of two years job-related experience

Alternatives to formal education and paid work experience may be considered as equivalent qualifications to include military service/training, volunteering, activism, and other non-traditional programs and experiences related to the position.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Technical licenses or certifications in restorative justice practices, diversity and inclusion, activism, civic learning and democratic engagement.

BENEFITS:

Hampshire College offers an excellent benefits program for eligible employees such as medical, dental, vision, life insurance, generous retirement plan contributions, flexible leave plans, and many other fringe benefits. For information on Hampshire College, including more information on employee benefits and our company culture, visit our website at www.hampshire.edu.

WHO SHOULD APPLY:

Hampshire College is an equal opportunity employer and deeply committed to a community of excellence, equity, diversity, and inclusion. We are particularly committed to revealing and combating the social and institutional structures that support racism and white supremacy in all phases of employment and college life. We believe that the educational and employment environment is enhanced when diverse groups of people with diverse ideas come together to work and grow. We encourage applications from women, underrepresented minorities, persons with disabilities, sexual minority groups, veterans, and other candidates who will contribute to the diversification and enrichment of ideas and perspectives. Hampshire College is committed to removing barriers to employment faced by equity-seeking groups and encourages (but does not require) members of these groups to self-identify in their application materials. Applicants whose work incorporates a global perspective and a demonstrated commitment to issues of diversity in the work environment are particularly encouraged to apply.

HOW TO APPLY:

Please submit your cover letter, resume and names/phone numbers of three professional references via our website at https://jobs.hampshire.edu/

Review of applications will begin on December 6, 2021 and will continue until the position is filled. 

Hampshire College is an equal opportunity institution, committed to diversity and inclusion in education and employment.