Job Information
Boston College Special Assistant to the Dean in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
Boston College Introduction
Founded in 1863, Boston College is a Jesuit, Catholic university located six miles from downtown Boston with an enrollment of 9,484 full-time undergraduates and 5,250 graduate and professional students. Ranked 35 among national universities, Boston College has 888 full-time and 1,281 FTE faculty, 2,711 non-faculty employees, an operating budget of $1.4 billion, and an endowment in excess of $3.5 billion.
Job Description
Special Assistant
The Assistant to the Dean for Strategic Initiatives will be a key leader in efforts to advance the CSTM in important areas, including: strengthening the pastoral support, programs, and services integral to the success of all students; contributing to strategic planning for and execution of global initiatives; collaborating with the leadership/administrative team that manages the CSTM. As CSTM seeks to form leaders for the global Church in the context of a supportive community, this position ensures that the CSTM’s commitment to the four dimensions of formation (academic, pastoral, spiritual, and human) meets the needs of a diverse student body and fosters an inclusive environment of holistic learning. The work of the Assistant to the Dean for Strategic Initiatives will help support the attraction, recruitment, retention, and academic, and professional development of all CSTM student populations, including but not limited to international students, students of color, first-generation students, LGBTQIA+ students, and veterans.
Reporting to the Dean of the CSTM and working with the Associate Dean of Student Affairs & Career Services, the Assistant to the Dean for Strategic Initiatives will also serve as one of the primary liaisons for CSTM with the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston (RCAB), and on University-wide programs and initiatives, which includes working closely with the Office of International Students and Scholars, Office of Graduate Student Life, Office of Institutional Diversity, Thea Bowman AHANA Intercultural Center, Career Center, and Campus Ministry.
Essential Functions
Community and Formation (50%)
Offer institutional support to students, particularly international students and those from underrepresented backgrounds, through the student life cycle.
Work with the administrative team to coordinate orientation events in the fall, winter, and summer, including orientation events for international students.
Oversee the mentoring opportunities and support offered to international students as they transition to the CSTM.
Provide one-on-one remote support to international students prior to their arrival at CSTM, as needed.
Liaise with the Office of International Students and Scholars to ensure international students have access to information related to immigration, immunization requirements, and work permits.
Assist with housing searches for all international and underrepresented students; serve as the contact for the Archdiocese of Boston in securing housing for international priests.
Liaise with local and campus partners, i.e., Archdiocese of Boston, Thea Bowman AHANA Intercultural Center, Office of International Students and Scholars, Campus Ministry, Office of Graduate Student Life, and Career Center.
Oversee the planning of spiritual and human formation opportunities for international students including monthly meetings, an annual retreat, academic symposia, and social gatherings.
Participate in the Student Forum and provides support to affinity groups as needed.
Assist with planning the annual CSTM learning immersion experience and provides administrative support as needed.
Collaborate with the Student Affairs team in support of CSTM liturgical life, ensuring that CSTM liturgy reflects the diverse cultures of the student body.
Supervise graduate assistants for international students and diversity initiatives.
Project manager for strategic formation initiatives (30%)
Assist in planning the CSTM CORE Community meeting in the fall and spring semesters
Support the development of CSTM House; provide operational support as necessary; provide formational/spiritual accompaniment to members of the community.
Serve as the point of contact for efforts related to the Global Theological Initiative; inform and advise the Dean and Associate Deans on matters of strategic import; follow up as appropriate.
Support planning efforts of CSTM, especially (but not exclusively) those related to global strategy; advance specific lines of activity and follow-up as appropriate.
Advance other objectives, as assigned by Dean.
Pastoral Care (10%)
Maintain availability for one-on-one pastoral conversations, offering guidance and support related to student services, housing, academic support, writing support, and peer mentoring.
Participate in Accepted Student Days and student visits, as needed.
Administration (10%)
Prepare reports for assessment, brochures, announcements, and promotional materials, as appropriate.
Participate in school-wide and departmental meetings, orientations, events, and celebrations.
Participate in weekly or monthly meetings, including but not limited to professional staff meetings, administrative team meetings, student staff meetings, area meetings, Student Forum meetings, and various committees as assigned.
Be available for Deans Team Meetings, as invited by the Dean.
Competitive salary commensurate with relevant experience.
Requirements
Minimum Qualifications
University Core Competencies
Teamwork, Customer Focus, Continuous Learning, Decision Making/Problem Solving, Communication, Applying Technology, Valuing Diversity, Big Picture Perspective, Openness to Change, Productivity, People Development.
Functional and Technical Competencies
List those competencies that represent the specialized skills, knowledge and abilities that are unique to a particular function or role and are required to perform the essential functions of the role.
Commitment to and appreciation of the mission of a Catholic, Jesuit theological school.
Understanding of the dynamics CSTM faces regarding theology, the church, and focus on ministry.
Commitment to the work of DEIB initiatives in a faith-based context.
Coursework in graduate theology and/or ministry, social work, or higher education.
Highly energetic and enthusiastic self-starter motivated to meet and exceed goals.
Strong organizational, prioritization, and project management skills.
Cooperative team player who works independently and with others in a team-oriented, fast-paced environment.
Excellent verbal and written communication, interpersonal, and customer service skills.
Strong computer skills, including MS Office and a thorough knowledge of social networking sites. Willingness and ability to learn new software programs and technologies quickly (such as design and web content tools).
Education/Training and Certification, Licensure, Registration Requirements
Master’s degree or advanced coursework in theology/ministry, higher education, or social work required
Familiarity with the formation documents of the Roman Catholic Church: Program of Priestly Formation (PPF) and Co-Workers in the Vineyard of the Lord preferred
Experience
1-3 years of experience in ministry, higher education, or social work preferred.
Experience working with diverse groups.
Closing Statement
Boston College offers a broad and competitive range of benefits depending on your job classification eligibility:
Tuition remission for Employees
Tuition remission for Spouses and Children who meet eligibility requirements
Generous Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
Low-Cost Life Insurance
Eligibility for both University-Funded 401k and Employer-Sponsored 403b Retirement Plans
Paid Holidays Annually
Generous Sick and Vacation Pay
Additional benefits can be found on https://www.bc.edu/employeehandbook
Boston College conducts pre-employment background checks as part of the hiring process.
Boston College is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer. In concert with our Jesuit, Catholic mission, Boston College is dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse and pluralistic faculty and staff committed to teaching and working in a multicultural environment and strongly encourages applications for women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and covered veterans. To learn more about how BC supports diversity and inclusion throughout the university please visit the Office for Institutional Diversity at https://www.bc.edu/diversity .
Boston College's Notice of Nondiscrimination can be viewed at https://www.bc.edu/nondiscrimination .