Athletics Chaplain (full-time)

Fairfield University was founded by the Jesuits in 1942. The university is home to over 5,000 full-time undergraduate students and 1,200 part-time graduate students. Fairfield University is an NCAA Division 1 charter member of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC). As a modern, Jesuit, Catholic institution, Fairfield’s athletics program is an essential component of the overall mission to foster student growth in all facets of the educational experience: intellectual, emotional, spiritual, social, and physical. The University and Stags Athletics are fully committed to graduating people of competence and character, becoming people of wisdom and modeling a grace-filled community. Applicants should exhibit a deep awareness, understanding, and ability to articulate a commitment to the Jesuit mission and Ignatian Spirituality.  

Provide on-going spiritual, personal and leadership formation of student-athletes, coaches and staff in the Ignatian tradition. The Athletics Chaplain focuses on the spiritual life, faith development and pastoral care of 500+ student-athletes, 80+ coaches, and staff. This position will report to Mission and Ministry, and will seek direction from the VP of Athletics, the Director of Campus Ministry and the Director of the Murphy Center for Ignatian Spirituality. 

The role of the Athletic Chaplain is to design, direct and facilitate all aspects of ministry for Athletics and work collaboratively with the STAGS Care team contributing to the emotional and spiritual well-being of student-athletes, coaches and staff.

This position calls for the utmost integrity, excellent pastoral skills, and an enthusiasm for working proactively in a close-knit and busy university community. Pastoral awareness, enjoying working as part of a team and approachability are all key qualities for applicants.

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  Master’s Degree in Divinity, Theology, Pastoral Studies or other equivalent formation

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  3-5 years of Ministerial work experience

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  Previous work in a collegiate setting and/or with college student-athletes preferred

• A person deeply grounded in faith nourished by personal and communal spiritual practice(s) who desires to serve in this ministerial role and support the unique needs of the modern Division I student-athlete, their coaches and staff

• Shares in an understanding of the tradition of the Catholic Church, Ignatian Spirituality, and the charism of Jesuit Education, as well as other non-Catholic traditions

• Possesses excellent interpersonal skills, communication skills, and relationship-building skills within a diverse community

• Displays emotional and spiritual maturity and can engage in a ministry of hospitality and pastoral care through accompaniment of student-athletes, coaches and staff of diverse backgrounds and needs

• Possesses vision and capacity for self-direction in assessing the needs of the division and available resources, is detail-oriented, and can carry a project from start to finish.

• Respects and maintains confidentiality

• Is available to work weekends and evenings and be present at athletic events

Performs such other duties, responsibilities, and activities as required by supervisor and as departmental/University needs indicate. 
 

*Disclaimer

The above information indicates the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain and should not be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, activities, and/or qualifications required or expected of employees assigned to this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change and new ones may be assigned at any time, with or without notice.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a satisfactory background check.

Fairfield University provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.