Assistant Dean for Ministry Studies and Chaplaincy Education

Job Description

The Assistant Dean for Ministry Studies and Chaplaincy Education provides leadership for clinical education in chaplaincy and spiritual care within the Office of Ministry Studies (OMS), responsible for developing, launching, administering, and sustaining a school-based Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) program for HDS students.

Reporting to the Associate Dean for Ministry Studies and in collaboration with the Assistant Dean for Multireligious Ministry and other HDS colleagues, the incumbent will develop an innovative CPE program suited to HDS's multireligious educational context and the diverse vocational pathways pursued by its students. The program will provide rigorous clinical education and supervised formation in spiritual care across institutional and community settings.

The Assistant Dean will serve as the educational and administrative leader of the CPE program, responsible for program design, curriculum development, accreditation and compliance, clinical partnerships, educational assessment, program evaluation, student supervision, and supervision of additional CPE educators.

Responsibilities include:

Clinical Pastoral Education and Chaplaincy Education

• Lead the development, launch, administration, and continuous improvement of an HDS-sponsored Clinical Pastoral Education program, including its educational model, curriculum, policies, assessment practices, and administrative systems.
• Lead ACPE accreditation and compliance with educational and professional standards.
• Teach and supervise CPE students, serving as primary educator for up to three CPE units annually (typically two during the academic year and one during the summer), based on enrollment and staffing.
• Recruit, orient, supervise, support, and evaluate adjunct or contract CPE educators leading additional cohorts.
• Develop and sustain clinical education partnerships across hospitals, hospices, educational institutions, correctional settings, congregations, community organizations, and social-service agencies.
• Advise students pursuing chaplaincy and spiritual care vocations regarding CPE, certification, curricular preparation, clinical formation, and related vocational pathways.
• Develop and contribute to educational initiatives in chaplaincy, spiritual care, and clinical education, and represent HDS in relevant professional organizations and partnerships.

Field Education

The Assistant Dean also shares responsibility for the educational work of the HDS Field Education Program under the leadership of the Associate Dean for Ministry Studies, who serves as the program's primary educational director.

• Maintain a portfolio of field education sites and supervisors, with particular attention to chaplaincy, spiritual care, pastoral care, and related ministries, and support development of new partnerships in these areas.
• Review student and supervisor evaluations and participate in assessment of student learning and professional formation.
• Advise students regarding the integration of field education with curricular planning, vocational discernment, and professional development.
• Provide consultation, training, and educational support to field education supervisors.
• Collaborate with OMS colleagues in addressing student and site concerns and in assessing and improving the Field Education Program.

MDiv Advising, Curriculum, and Ministry Studies

• Share responsibility with the Associate Dean for Ministry Studies and Assistant Dean for Multireligious Ministry for MDiv curricular and vocational advising, helping students integrate academic study, field education, formation, vocational discernment, and professional preparation.
• Collaborate with faculty, academic administrators, and OMS colleagues on MDiv curriculum, program assessment, accreditation, and continuous improvement.
• Contribute to ministry studies programming, strategic planning, and other OMS work.

Working Conditions:

• Work is performed in an office setting
• This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required
• Minimum of 7 years’ relevant work experience
• Certification as an ACPE Certified Educator in good standing required.
• IMPORTANT NOTE: Your cover letter and resume should be combined into a SINGLE DOCUMENT under the resume tab. Cover letters are required for every position at Harvard Divinity School. We regret that the Harvard Divinity School does not provide Visa sponsorship.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Master of Divinity degree or equivalent graduate theological or professional degree strongly preferred.
• Certification as an ACPE Certified Educator in good standing required.
• Significant experience in CPE education and program leadership, including curriculum development, assessment, accreditation, and program administration. 
• Professional experience in chaplaincy, spiritual care, pastoral care, or a comparable form of religious or spiritual leadership. 
• Demonstrated experience developing educational programs, institutional partnerships, and administrative systems. 
• Experience supervising educators, staff, or other professionals and advising graduate or professional students. 
• Demonstrated ability to educate and supervise students from diverse religious, spiritual, and nonreligious traditions and to integrate clinical practice with theological, ethical, and vocational reflection. 
• Strong program-management, organizational, interpersonal, and written and verbal communication skills. 
• Demonstrated commitment to multireligious education and inclusive educational environments. 
• Familiarity with professional chaplaincy certification pathways and the broader field of professional spiritual care. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Board certification as a chaplain through APC, NACC, Neshama, or another recognized professional body. 
• Experience in theological education and graduate-level student advising. 
• Appropriate professional religious, spiritual, ecclesial, or other endorsement, where applicable.

Certificates and Licenses: Certification as an ACPE Certified Educator in good standing required.

Additional Information

• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education

Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 058. Please visit  Harvard's Salary Ranges  to view the corresponding salary range and related information. 

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to: 

• Generous paid time off including parental leave 
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one 
• Retirement plans with university contributions 
• Wellbeing and mental health resources 
• Support for families and caregivers 
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement 
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks 

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page. 

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.

Salary Grade: 058