Career Center

Function:? Under the direction of the Chaplain, the Director of Engagement and Missions administers a wide variety of activities to facilitate student involvement in short-term domestic and international mission trips that reflect the values and educational objectives of the College, and as a member of the Chapel Staff provides a pastoral presence and care for students on campus.?Additionally, this position oversees on-campus prayer ministries, working as a liaison with Admissions?to better integrate the work of the Chapel with recruitment efforts. This position also works to encourage students to have a missio Dei mindset incorporating God’s mission in their lives through La Vida, community engagement, and other areas of student life. 

Description of Duties and Tasks:??

1. GLOBAL AND LOCAL MISSIONS ENGAGEMENT
a. Develop and communicate a philosophy of Christian missions and service; develop and document policies for short-term mission programs.?
b. Provide direction, leadership, and support for group and individual short-term mission experiences; develop and maintain relationships with all mission partner organizations maintaining the health of existing programs, initiating new opportunities, and reengaging past partnerships as appropriate.?
c. Mentor, disciple, recruit, train, and supervise Student Missions intern and student leaders of short-term trips.?
d.Recruit, train, and support trip advisors, assisting in their success with student teams.?
e. Plan and oversee all travel and program logistics for every trip.?
f. Support students with both group and individual summer mission placements.?
g. Work with the Director of Community Engagement to support partnerships with local organizations, including opportunities to participate in local service experiences for small groups and on-campus ministries.
h. Develop and facilitate programs for pre-trip preparation and post-trip debriefing for mission trip participants to ensure healthy processing of their experience and maximize learning outcomes.?Create three- and six-month follow up processes for participants and leaders to assess ongoing impacts of their experiences.
i. Manage budgets for the accounts related to the mission teams and individual mission placements, overseeing spending, and monitoring fundraising, ensuring all missions programs are compliant with the College's international travel protocol and fund-raising procedures.?
j. Collaborate with the Biblical Studies and Christian Ministries department to support mission related classes, including BCM225, Preparation for Short-term Missions.
k. Coordinate all aspects of Gordon’s “Missions Week” in conjunction with the director of the Wycliffe Bible Translation program.

2. RISK/CRISIS MANAGEMENT?
a. Manage risk for all mission programs, including risk assessments assuring adherence to college risk management protocols. Sits on the International Risk Management Committee.?
b. Establish timelines for student applications allowing for appropriate safety vetting prior to establishment of a team and/or individual trip.?
c. Utilize US State Department website information as the general standard for assessing the safety of a country/locale as a destination for Gordon-related travel.?Meet with students following vetting of site/location to confirm destination and/or give guidance for alternative possibilities.?
d. Organize mandatory group meetings, each semester, with all students planning to travel abroad to discuss safe travel and advise students of what to do in case of an emergency.?
e. Require all students traveling abroad have their destinations and travel information reported, prior to departure, with the US Embassy in the respective country via the reporting portal on www.state.gov
f. Work with students and group leaders to be sure all traveling parties have the Gordon required emergency medical/evacuation insurance.?Assist group leaders/students in filing the proper/necessary paperwork.?
g. Monitor news to be aware of potential incidents (natural disasters, political instability, etc.) that might impact Gordon students while on their trips.?In cases of emergency, work with the IRMC, Chaplain, and VP for Student Life to lead appropriate response mechanisms/actions.?

3. OTHER MINISTRIES???
a. Develop an ongoing ministry of evangelism, discipleship, and mentoring with and to Gordon College students.?
b. Oversee Admissions initiatives integration with the Chapel Office including The Refill student/staff worship initiative. Assist Admissions in telling the story of life-change at Gordon through local and global mission experiences.
c. Partner with Chapel Staff to provide pastoral care for students as needed, carry out requisite office coverage, and planning and participation in Gordon College Chapel gatherings.?
d. Develop and oversee on-campus prayer ministries and experiences, including Day of Prayer, United Prayer Ministry, and all prayer campus-wide prayer gatherings for special cases.
e. Collaborate on student ministry training events and retreats as appropriate.?

In order to fully perform the above functions, the incumbent must possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities, or demonstrate that the major responsibilities of the job can be accomplished, with or without reasonable accommodation, using some combination of skills and abilities.?

1. Expresses a vibrant personal Christian faith commitment as affirmed in the College’s Statement of Faith and is in agreement with the College’s Life and Conduct Statement, and Statement on Sexual Ethics.??
2. Master’s degree in missions, ministry, student development or a related field is required.
3. 3 years related professional experience required, 5 years preferred.
4. Demonstrated success as a leader and developer of people and ministry opportunities.?
5. Experience in intercultural contexts and a demonstrated cultural intelligence; is available to travel as required.
6. Possesses a mature understanding of and commitment to the values of the Christian liberal arts educational tradition and to the Gordon College mission.?
7. Able to articulate a clear understanding of current philosophy and best practices in short term Christian missions and outreach.
8. Direct experience working with college students in missions and/or outreach and experience leading overseas missions and/or learning trips preferred.?
9. Experience managing a large multi-stream budget and coordinating fundraising efforts strongly preferred.
10. Ability to relate professionally to faculty, staff, and students.?
11. Personal tact and diplomacy required to negotiate the demands of working in a staff directed/student-led environment.?
12. Strong oral and written communication skills required.?

About Gordon College

Founded in 1889 as a missionary training institute in Boston, Gordon College has emerged as one of the country’s top Christian liberal arts colleges and the only nationally ranked Christian college in New England. One of the nation’s premier Christian colleges, Gordon College better prepares students for a greater purpose by combining exceptional education and innovative opportunities with an informed Christian faith. Gordon College strives to graduate men and women distinguished by intellectual maturity and Christian character, committed to lives of service, and prepared for leadership worldwide. Gordon is strategically located along what has been termed the “I-95 power corridor” as it is only a few hours away from the financial and political capitals of the Western world (New York and Washington, D.C.). Just north of Boston, with its renowned universities and vibrant industries in finance, technology, and health care, Gordon is well positioned to expose students to world-class learning and professional opportunities. Faculty members have ready access to vibrant intellectual and research communities, providing connections that energize their scholarship, teaching, and mentoring.... This facilitates a commitment to lifelong learning among students, and a majority of Gordon graduates earn advance degrees. Gordon’s magnificent campus of 450 wooded acres – just three miles from the Atlantic Ocean – retains a quintessential New England charm. The College’s proximity to the beautiful, historic areas of the North Shore, the woods and beaches of Cape Ann, and the mountains of Vermont and New Hampshire creates rich opportunities for recreation and personal growth. This is a great place to live and work.

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