About Augustana College
Augustana College is a private, selective, residential college of the liberal arts and sciences, related to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Our beautiful 115-acre campus is located in Rock Island, Illinois, and is part of the Quad Cities metropolitan area, which straddles the Mississippi River approximately 165 miles west of Chicago. Augustana College offers its 2,600 students a wide variety of courses in the traditional liberal arts and in several areas of pre-professional and special studies. Nearly 90 majors and related academic programs are available.
Employees at Augustana enjoy an excellent benefit package including medical, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefits for employees and their family members, and much more.
Job Title: Campus Chaplain and Director of Spiritual Life
Wage Grade: Follows Synod guidelines for compensation
Status: Full-time, Exempt position – 12-month work schedule
Reports To: Vice President of Student Life
Overview: The Campus Chaplain and Director of Spiritual Life provides spiritual leadership to the campus community through efforts designed to cultivate connection, explore purpose and to intersect faith and learning. Successful candidates should bring experience working with young
adults. This includes implementation of the college’s strategic directives as informed by the Five Faith Commitments of Augustana College and Rooted and Open: The Common Calling of the Network of ELCA Colleges and Universities.
Augustana’s next Campus Chaplain will be called to lead a diverse and changing campus community in the promotion of spiritual health, wholeness and growth by means “deeply rooted in the Lutheran intellectual tradition and boldly open to insights from other religious and secular traditions” (Rooted and Open). This position will provide spiritual formation and educational leadership through planning and directing programs and activities related to ministry, service and vocational development, and the promotion of the mission, purpose and goals of Augustana College.
Primary Duties:
• Provide pastoral care and spiritual guidance to the Augustana College community, with a particular focus on college students.
• Be an active, collaborative member of the Student Life division. Examples include participation in Orientation, Welcome Week, residential life programs, and student life events and meetings.
• Collaborate with departments across campus to develop and implement student programming to support the mission of Augustana College.
• Design (often with students and colleagues), coordinate and preside at worship services throughout the academic year.
• Build and lead a spiritual and religious life leadership team composed of students who work with the Chaplain in planning, coordinating, and implementing the campus ministry program.
• Foster campus conversations that build understanding of the Five Faith Commitments, Rooted and Open and similar documents informing the missional aspect of the shared life of the campus community.
• Nurture and promote the spiritual and worship lives of non-Lutheran and non-Christian students, including when desirable, inviting partnership with religious communities in the Quad Cities region, and serving as advisor to Interfaith student organizations.
• Develop campus ministry programming that engages a diverse student body, inviting students to examine their faith and spirituality through vocational reflection, service opportunities and Interfaith engagement.
• Serve as an active member of the planning, implementation, and execution of the ALIVE Program (Augustana Leaders in Vocational Exploration).
• Oversee, advise and as necessary organize designated spiritual life and service groups among students (e.g., Campus Cupboard), and serve as a partner or liaison to faculty / staff / community partners serving as advisors to such groups.
• Plan and oversee special commemorations and services for the campus community as appropriate, including traditional activities related to the opening and closing of the academic year, Homecoming, Advent, Yom HaShoah, and similar commemorations.
• Foster and provide support for the well-being and wellness of the College community, including serving as a liaison between the College and students/families in times of personal or family emergency.
• Organize retreats, service trips and civic engagement activities in alignment with the academic calendar.
• Encourage and as appropriate assist in planning programs and camps that bring pre-college students to the Augustana campus.
• Manage campus ministries staff and relevant budgets.
• In consultation with the Vice President of Student Life, partner with the Offices of Advancement and Admissions in activities that engage alumni and prospective students in the campus ministry program.
• Serve on the leadership team of the Presidential Center for Faith and Learning, acting as a liaison with the Vice President of Student Life.
• Serve on appropriate institutional and student life committees as assigned.
• Be an active participant in the colleague group of Chaplains at ELCA Colleges.
• Serve as a liaison to the ELCA, including as appropriate the congregations and synodical structures of the Northern Illinois and Southeast Iowa Synods.
• Perform other duties as may be assigned by the Vice President of Student Life.
Skills and Experience:
• 3 to 5 years of ministry experience.
• Clear understanding of ministry in a college setting. Specifically, understanding the needs of current students.
• Familiarity with the traditions and values of Lutheran higher education, especially as understood in the ELCA.
• An ability to graciously lead Christian ministries within ecumenical and interfaith contexts.
• Culturally agile and proficient, and dedicated to culture and connection.
• Demonstrated administrative ability to work independently and make sound, timely decisions.
• Managerial and supervisory experience.
• Strong communication skills, both in writing and orally.
• Experience and comfort in using technologies and social media.
Requirements:
1) Education: Master of Divinity or related Master’s degree required. Additional or advanced education (doctorate) and training is valued.
2) An ordained Minister of Word and Sacrament in good standing with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), and eligible for the clergy roster of the Northern Illinois Synod.
Additional Information:
Pay and Benefits: The hiring range for this position is $64,000 - $74,000 annually based on experience and qualifications. Candidates who meet clergy eligibility requirements may request that a portion of their compensation be designated as a housing allowance consistent with IRS regulations. commensurate with experience and qualifications.
We offer a competitive benefits package designed to support the needs of employees:
- Medical, dental, vision insurance
- Flexible spending accounts or health savings accounts
- Life insurance, disability insurance, and supplemental insurance programs
- Retirement plan with a generous company contribution
- Excellent paid time off/holiday benefits
- Tuition benefits for employees and their family members
- Access to company facilities (gym, pool, health center, etc.)
- You can learn more about our benefit programs at our Benefits website.
Work Environment: Work assignments may require working indoors and outdoors. Evening and weekend work will be required, albeit typically planned with appropriate notice. The exception would be during campus / world emergencies.
Physical Demands: This position requires light physical effort. Position may require long periods of standing or walking, and may require frequent lifting of lightweight material.
Travel: This position requires regular travel locally to engage with community partners and minimal, intermittent distance travel for Augustana and ELCA related meetings and business.
Additional Information:
Augustana College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Augustana College provides equal opportunity to all qualified employees and applicants without regard to race, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status, and any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.
Application Instructions:
For consideration, interested applicants should submit the following by June 10, 2026:
• a cover letter
• resume or curriculum vitae
• Copy of a delivered sermon including the context and audience (written, audio or video)
• One page professional philosophy / approach to the applicant’s vocation to serve as a College Chaplain and Director of Spiritual Life.