Student Worker - MONTHLY Graduate Student Resident Chaplain - BC presso ACADEMIC

Statement of Purpose: 

The Resident Chaplain program is a partnership between the Department of Pastoral Care in Spiritual Life and Campus Living & Learning at Baylor University.  The Resident Chaplain lives in an on-campus residential community where they are a pastoral presence. This role of “chaplain-in-residence” is to be an incarnational ministry, focused on relationships, spiritual care and formation, as well as leadership within the residential community.  Each Resident Chaplain reports directly to their Spiritual Life Supervisor and the Residence Hall Director.  While supervision of ministry is done primarily through the Department of Pastoral Care, the Residence Hall Director also has a supervisory role with the Resident Chaplain as he or she functions as a leader in the residential community. 

Duties and Responsibilities: 

The Resident Chaplain will work to be a visible and known presence in the residential community. 

This work will include: 

Regular participation in weekly residence hall staff meetings and regular meetings with both the Residence Hall Director and Spiritual Life Supervisor (regular supervision, both group and individual, also occurs with the Department of Pastoral Care) 

Leadership with and participation in residential life, events, and gatherings 

Intentional, on-going relationship building with residents and building staff 

Being highly visible through various activities and creative use of media (newsletters, fliers, social media) 

The Resident Chaplain will seek out and offer pastoral care to those in need in the residential community.   

This work will include: 

Meeting with and maintaining contact with residents who are in a crisis. This includes hospital visitation (not including the transportation of students), grief care, and supporting those having health, academic, relational, and spiritual difficulties 

Being available for ongoing spiritual direction, guidance, and care 

Making referrals to the Chaplain’s office, Student Life case managers, Baylor Counseling Center, Title IX, and others in the Baylor community as appropriate 

The Resident Chaplain will provide pastoral leadership in the residential community.   

This work will include: 

Offering theological perspectives and spiritual guidance to residential staff 

Working with the residence hall staff, their Spiritual Life Supervisor, and other Spiritual Life Staff to encourage the spiritual development of students, through small group discussions, Bible studies, seminars, missional work, worship, etc.   

Leading spiritually formative experiences for residents and developing/maintaining programs for their residents 

Encouraging student participation in local communities of faith 

Helping students to identify Spiritual Life as a community of ongoing care and spiritual development for the entirety of their Baylor experience 

Work hours, Crisis Response, and Additional Employment Guidelines 

The Resident Chaplain position is compensated through a monthly stipend. While the specific schedule will vary based on the needs of the residential community, Chaplains are expected to maintain a consistent and meaningful presence among residents, providing pastoral care, leadership, and support. 

Crisis response duties are included within the scope of the position. Chaplains should be reasonably available to respond to urgent pastoral needs such as hospital visits, crises of grief or loss, or other student emergencies. When unavailable, backup Chaplains or professional staff will assume these responsibilities. 

Approval from the Graduate School and coordination with the Residence Hall Director and Spiritual Life Supervisor are required before undertaking additional employment. 

Crisis response time generally falls under the category of “waiting to be engaged,” meaning Chaplains may engage in personal activities when not actively responding but must remain available. 

Housing and Accommodations 

In addition to the monthly stipend, Resident Chaplains receive room and board as part of their appointment. This includes: 

An on-campus apartment or suite within their assigned residence hall 

Utilities and amenities (internet, electricity, and water) 

A campus meal plan (block plan that approximately equates to ten meals per week) 

A designated parking space 

These accommodations are provided to support the Chaplain’s ministry and sustained presence within the residential community and are considered a non-cash component of total compensation. 

The Resident Chaplain will be involved in spiritual and professional development/training. 

This work will include: 

Being responsible for leading verbatim discussions and attending Spiritual Life didactics 

Regular participation in Resident Chaplain weekly meetings and in individual supervision