Assistant Director-Pastoral Ministry

Assistant Director-Pastoral Ministry 3.9 3.9 out of 5 stars 5000 Abbey Way SE, Lacey, WA 98503 $52,000 a year - Full-time Saint Martin's University 58 reviews $52,000 a year - Full-time The Assistant Director for Pastoral Ministry serves as a key member of the Campus Ministry professional team, supporting the Office of Campus Ministry's mission to enrich the spiritual and religious lives of students of all denominations and faiths. Under the direct supervision of the Director of Campus Ministry, the Assistant Director manages the operational execution of major ministry programs, supervises student workers and graduate assistants, and provides administrative and pastoral support to advance the office's strategic goals. This position works collaboratively within the Office of Campus Ministry and across the University community to lead service, hospitality, retreats, peer ministry support, and other student-facing programming that helps students grow through prayer, discernment, worship, relationships, and service. The position strengthens student spiritual formation, belonging, and mission engagement while supporting the University's Catholic Benedictine identity. Saint Martin's University is more than just a place of learning—it's a welcoming community where students, faculty, and staff come together with purpose and heart. Founded in 1895 by the Benedictine monks of Saint Martin's Abbey, we are grounded in the timeless Benedictine values of community, hospitality, and balance. These values, combined with a Saint Martin's liberal arts education, shape our approach to education and daily life, encouraging students to think deeply, act with compassion, and serve with purpose. As part of the Catholic Intellectual Tradition, we honor the integration of faith and reason, the dignity of every person, and a shared responsibility for the common good. Our mission is to form graduates who are not only intellectually curious and ethically grounded, but also deeply committed to building a more just and equitable world. At Saint Martin's, we care about the whole person. Our supportive campus culture is built to help students thrive—academically, personally, and professionally. We pay special attention to the needs of those who have been historically underserved, and we work intentionally to create an inclusive, respectful, and compassionate environment for all. We warmly invite mission-driven individuals to join our community—not just to work here, but to be part of something meaningful. Together, we educate students who go on to make a positive difference in their lives, their communities, and the world.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES

Essential Functions & Responsibilities - Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This list is

ILLUSTRATIVE

ONLY, and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this position. Employees are required to be in attendance and prepared to begin work at their assigned work location on the specified days and hours. Factors such as regular attendance at the job are not routinely listed in job descriptions, but are an essential function. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following. Program Leadership & Ministry Operations Lead the operational execution of assigned major Campus Ministry programs with Director oversight, especially in service, hospitality, retreats, small faith-sharing groups, and pastoral student engagement. Develop program schedules, coordinate logistics, manage materials and facilities, and ensure assigned ministry programs meet quality standards and mission expectations. Lead or support operational aspects of Benedictine Scholars programming, living-learning community support, orientation, and special events as assigned. Adjust scheduling and availability to support evening retreats, weekend programs, major liturgical events, and other ministry needs as they arise. Service, Justice & Community Engagement Lead the planning, promotion, and execution of service opportunities, service relationships, and service immersions sponsored by Campus Ministry. Maintain and strengthen community partnerships connected to student service and justice formation, including relationships such as Our Common Home Farms, Community Kitchen, and Thurston County Food Bank. Develop and implement faith-based justice advocacy opportunities for students, including Catholic Relief Services-related programming and student engagement. Spiritual Formation, Retreats & Pastoral Care Design, coordinate, and assess retreats, days of reflection, small faith-sharing groups, and seasonal spiritual formation experiences. Provide pastoral presence and emotional support to students, listen attentively to their concerns, maintain appropriate confidentiality, and refer students to appropriate campus resources when needed. Support the liturgical and sacramental life of Campus Ministry through logistics, communication, scheduling, and student coordination in collaboration with the Director and Assistant Director for University Chaplaincy. Student Leadership Supervision & Development Recruit, train, support, and supervise student workers, peer ministers, graduate assistants, and volunteers involved in Campus Ministry programs and event support. Establish expectations, prepare work schedules, approve hours, provide mentoring and feedback, and conduct performance evaluations for student employees within the scope of the role. Hospitality, Student Engagement & Office Operations Oversee the culture of welcome, hospitality, and accessibility within the Campus Ministry office, lounge, and prayer spaces. Welcome guests and students, respond to inquiries, manage event requests for ministry spaces, and support the day-to-day flow of Campus Ministry operations. Administration, Communications & Assessment Manage budget tracking, purchasing, supplies, communications, calendars, participation records, assessment data, and documentation for assigned program areas. Direct maintenance and advancement of the Campus Ministry website and social media presence and support communications with students through email, promotional materials, and in-person engagement. Assist the Director with data collection, assessment, strategic planning support, accreditation-related reporting, and mission integration documentation. Collaboration, Mission Alignment & Institutional Support Represent Campus Ministry professionally in collaboration with Student Affairs, Residence Life, Academic Affairs, Mission Integration, and community partners. Conduct business in a manner compatible with Saint Martin's Catholic Benedictine identity and mission. Perform other duties of a similar nature as assigned by the Director of Campus Ministry.

OTHER FUNCTIONS

Support a highly relational ministry environment that helps students experience belonging, accompaniment, and authentic invitation into the life of faith. Help students connect service, prayer, community life, and formation through intentional reflection and follow-up. Assist with pastoral response during periods of student crisis, trauma, grief, or urgent ministry need in collaboration with the Director and chaplaincy leadership. Support faculty and staff formation initiatives and campus-wide mission-focused events as assigned.

COMPETENCIES

Knowledge of best practices for campus ministry, student spiritual formation, service-learning, retreat ministry, and student leadership development in higher education. Demonstrated pastoral sensitivity, including the ability to listen deeply, respond compassionately, and maintain confidentiality. Strong organizational and management skills, including attention to detail, time management, and the ability to coordinate multiple program elements simultaneously. Ability to communicate effectively with students, supervisors, colleagues, community partners, and the public. Ability to collaborate well with colleagues and partners in a team-oriented environment shaped by Catholic Benedictine values. Ability to adapt flexibly to changing priorities and the unpredictable nature of student ministry. Commitment to hospitality, community, and the flourishing of the whole person in the spirit of Saint Martin's mission and values. Demonstrate strong multicultural knowledge, awareness, and skills needed to perform the tasks of promoting diversity and social justice. Knowledge of best practices related to supporting diverse student population, including students of color, students of diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, first generation students, students with disabilities, and other historically marginalized identities. Is supportive of a Catholic, Benedictine philosophy of education and able to articulate and support the University's mission statement.

REQUIREMENTS AND/OR CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Must be a practicing Roman Catholic. Bachelor's degree in theology, religious studies, ministry, pastoral studies, student development, or a related field; master's degree preferred. Two to three years of job-related experience in campus ministry, youth ministry, pastoral ministry, retreat ministry, service-learning, or related program leadership. Demonstrated experience in program management, event coordination, student supervision, and/or budget tracking. Proficiency with Microsoft Office products including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and related communication tools. Successfully pass a background check. Willingness to engage in ongoing professional development in campus ministry and student spiritual formation. Ability and willingness to work evening, weekend, and holiday events as required for program delivery. Alignment with the Catholic Benedictine values and mission of Saint Martin's University and demonstrated commitment to supporting student spiritual growth and institutional Catholic identity.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed in a standard office environment.

Physical demands include:

Moves objects (less than 20 pounds) long distances (more than 20 feet). Ability to be mobile campus wide for appropriate business needs. Operates a variety of standard office equipment requiring continuous or repetitive arm-hand movements. Reading, writing, speaking, hearing, standing, bending, sitting. Learning and comprehending. Requires visual concentration on detail. Manual dexterity and precision required for keyboarding Must be able to sit for long periods at a time at a computer May occasionally be required to deal with distraught people. Must be able to concentrate on details and process complex information while experiencing frequent interruptions. Must be able to communicate effectively with people at all levels under stressful conditions. Must maintain strict confidentiality relating to all issues in the department and Saint Martin's University