Description of the Position:
Under the administrative supervision of the Senior Director of Buddhist Studies, the Buddhist Programming Coordinator will be responsible for planning, organizing, evaluating, coordinating and managing programming for the Thich Nhat Hanh Program for Engaged Buddhism, supporting operations for the M.Div. program in Buddhism and Interreligious Engagement and generally supporting the Senior Director of Buddhist Studies and Buddhist programming at Union.

Duties/Responsibilities:

With Senior Director of Buddhist Studies,
and in collaboration with the Academic Office

• Develops educational program plans and supports their implementation.
• Plans the scheduling of events and delivery of services to achieve program goals.
• Coordinates support and details of courses, academic panels, conferences and other program-specific gatherings.
• Directly liaises with Buddhist leaders, dharma teachers, scholars and educational personnel in support of program goals.
• Coordinates communications for broader Buddhist socially engaged community in support of building a strong Buddhist presence at Union, including, but not limited to the Buddhist Action Coalition.
• Manages Senior Director’s calendar and otherwise supports the Senior Director as needed.
• Supports Buddhist students in creating and coordinating spiritual cultivation activities and liaises with the spiritual formation committee when necessary.
• Collects data and/or conducts surveys on all areas of program activities for evaluation of program effectiveness.
• Provides counsel to instructors and students on program policies, procedures and services.
• Works with the Union communications team to promote programming via all appropriate media channels and develops, designs, writes and edits brochures, reports and other educational materials for publication and distribution.
• Develops and establishes policies and procedures for implementation as applicable to the program.
• Collect course data for program progress and/or statistical reports.
• Assists the communications department with necessary materials for program promotion.
• Works with the admissions office to coordinate materials and support for incoming M.Div.BIE students.
• Assists the development office with program details in support of fundraising efforts.
• Maintains necessary records and files on program.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements:

• Master’s Degree from an accredited institution.
• Experience in higher education environments and/or program administration experience.
• Experience with Buddhist practice, communities and organizations.
• Group facilitation skills
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, written and verbal.
• Good analytical, negotiation, and problem-solving skills
• Strong time and task management skills
• Highly motivated and independent, yet team-oriented and able to work across multiple departments
• Must be able to work some weekends and evenings from time-to-time and have reliable transportation
• Computer and other standard office equipment skills sufficient to prepare flyers and other communications, maintain databases, email, and website posting.
• Graphic design skills preferred.

Department: Academic Affairs

Division: Student Affairs

Reports to: Associate Dean for Student Affairs

FLSA: Non-Exempt  Collective Bargaining Unit: Yes

Position Summary: Provides a high level of administrative support in the Offices of Student Affairs and Registrar.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

Office of Student Affairs – 75%

• Provides administrative support in the Office of Student Affairs and in the management of Associate Dean for Student Affairs calendar.
• Assists with office coverage and reception as well as with event planning, making travel and conference arrangements, calendar maintenance and drafting and editing correspondences.
• Assists with student orientation and commencement; disseminates information to members of the Union community and outside constituents, as needed.
• Processes health insurance enrollment, immunization and disability certification submissions.
• Assists with proctoring exams requiring special accommodations.
• Updates web-based job board as well as student and general bulletin board(s), as needed.
• Prepares agendas, documents and minutes for meetings, as necessary.
• Creates and manages filing and student information database systems; assists with moving to an efficient and paper-less running of the office; assists with reports; and acts as a liaison to Facilities and IT on office and technology-related matters.
• Serves as a Designated School Official (DSO) to assist in the preparation of F-1 SEVIS I-20 Forms for incoming and returning international students and their dependents. Maintains international student records/files to meet compliance standards as regulated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Assists in monitoring all international student SEVIS activities, which includes audits and status alerts.
• Assists in preparing reinstatements, change of status, work authorizations, and optional practical training documents and other immigration/visa related documents to request action by different entities as regulated by the DHS.
• Other duties as deemed necessary.

Office of the Registrar – 25%

• Assists in reviewing and generating transcripts as requested by students.
• Completes enrollment verifications as requested by third-parties including confirmation of student consent.
• Proofreads course-related materials for accuracy such as descriptions and schedules.
• Provides support in maintaining the Registrar’s calendar including scheduling meetings.
• Serves as back-up for proctoring the modern language exams held twice a semester.
• Provides support during orientation including course registration and collection of demographic data.
• Assists with various commencement tasks including proofreading diplomas, distribution of invitations and robes.
• Other duties as deemed necessary.

Required Qualifications: To perform the job successfully, an individual must have a broad range of people and technical skills. He/she must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and/or abilities required.

• Associate’s degree or equivalent from a technical or business school required, plus 2 years of office experience or administrative experience in an academic setting. BA/BS degree preferred.
• Understanding of educational technology is essential. Must have excellent planning, time management, problem-solving, analytical, and organizational skills; computer literacy with proficiency in Microsoft office, database management and other relevant computer programs; knowledge of clerical procedures and operating office equipment.
• Ability to work with all levels of management, staff, student and the general public in a fast paced office. . Must have an appreciation and understanding of the intellectual, spiritual, social and political culture of a progressive interdenominational theological school as well as high tolerance for differences expressed with strong conviction. Must enjoy working at a high-energy, high-motivational level
• Possess knowledge of business administration; detail – oriented, adaptable, flexible and must be able to work independently and as part of a team.
• Proficient in spreadsheets, database management and other relevant computer programs; ability to gather data, to compile information, and prepare reports.
• Stellar customer service and interpersonal skills; excellent communication skills both orally and in writing.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.

Union Theological Seminary seeks to make an appointment in the area of early Church History / Christian History. The appointment is offered with open rank, at either tenure-track Assistant Professor level or Associate or full Professor with tenure, as appropriate to the successful candidate’s qualifications and experience.

The seminary is looking for a scholar with broad interests in late antique and Byzantine Christian history. The scholar will be committed to researching and teaching across the range of early church history, integrating the history of doctrines, church politics, and cultural traditions, including liturgy, spirituality and artistic expression. The seminary is committed to supporting research and teaching in the theological and cultural traditions of the Christian East, though not to the exclusion of other traditions.

The seminary will look with particular interest at historians whose work includes some of the following subject areas: Christianity beyond the major European traditions, including the experiences of Africa and Asia; the religious experience of women and men, as laypeople and as members of religious communities; the racial, ethnic and cultural diversity of early Christianity; Christian encounters with other religious traditions.

The successful candidate will be expected to take a full share in the teaching of Christian History within the historical field, including responsibility for an introductory course on the first millennium C.E. in both the Eastern and Western Churches. The appointee will also offer a range of elective courses in late antique and Byzantine studies. The scholar will take responsibilities in the seminary’s doctoral program as required, and will share in the administrative work expected of a full-time faculty member. Union desires an excellent teacher who can draw out the relevance of history for the present.

This position will be supported by, and meet the criteria for, the Ane Marie and Bent Emil Nielsen Chair in Late Antique and Byzantine Christian History. If the appointment is made at the level of full professor, election to this chair may be made on appointment. If the appointment is made at a less senior level, the chair may be awarded subsequently as part of an internal promotion.

Union Theological Seminary, an equal opportunity employer, seeks a racially diverse, broadly representative faculty that is sensitive to cross-cultural issues.

Candidates should submit a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, transcripts, and three letters of recommendation to: Mary C. Boys, Vice-President of Academic Affairs and Dean: mboys@uts.columbia.edu .

Please use as subject line: EARLY CHURCH HISTORY

To ensure full consideration, complete application materials must be submitted by December 15, 2017.

Description of the Position:

Union Theological Seminary is seeking an experienced, high-functioning administrator to serve as the Executive Assistant to the Vice President and act as the Special Assistant to the Board of Trustees. The Executive Assistant is responsible for facilitating and supporting the work of the Executive Vice President, and Board of Trustees in coordination with the President’s Office and the Development Office. In collaboration with Union’s senior staff, the incumbent provides support to the Executive Vice President, The President and the Board of Trustees.

Duties/Responsibilities: 

• Reports to the Executive Vice President.
• Schedules and arranges Executive Vice President’s meetings, appointments and conferences, arranges and coordinates Executive Vice President’s attendance at meetings.
•  Manages and maintains Executive Vice President’s calendar.
• Coordinates and oversees lodging and hospitality for Executive Vice President when necessary.
• Manages and maintains office files and Board files.
• Maintains budget, expense and reimbursement for Executive Vice President.
• Responds to routine telephone and written inquiries.
• Reception duties: receives and greets daily visitors; acts as a backup for the Assistant to the President when necessary.
• Routes incoming mail and telephone calls to appropriate offices.
• In close collaboration with the Vice President of Development, cultivates and tracks the Executive Vice President and President’s relationship with the Board of Trustees. This includes creating and updating comprehensive database files for all trustees.
• Oversees and maintains the Board’s governance calendar, including setting and enforcing deadlines for all committee meetings and full Board meetings.
• Attends all Board meetings; oversees follow-up projects related to all Board committee meetings.
• Maintains all Board minutes and related documentation including organizing all official records on the Board web page, within Union’s electronic and paper archives.
• Manages all Board governance activities, including planning and executing all Board meetings and retreats. This includes, but is not limited to, collaboratively setting agendas, securing accommodations, reserving meeting rooms, coordinating meals, assembling, and mailing all board meeting materials, communicating with trustees regarding attendance and travel, and filing all accounting paperwork for meeting expenses and reimbursements.
•  In close collaboration with the Vice President of Communications and Marketing, oversees and directs all communication between the Board of Trustees and the full Union community: students, staff and faculty.
• Keeps custody of Union’s corporate seals and, under the direction of the President, Executive Vice President and the Board of Trustees.
• Supports the Executive Vice President and the Board of Trustees with Board recruitment.

Qualifications and requirements:

Must have an appreciation and understanding of the intellectual, spiritual, social and political culture of a progressive interdenominational theological school as well as a high tolerance for differences expressed with strong conviction. Must enjoy working at a high-energy, high-motivational level. Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of variables is essential. Must exhibit mature judgment and proven decision-making skills: to prioritize multiple tasks and respond to changes in scheduling with flexibility; to maintain confidentiality; to respond to sensitive information, crises or conflict situations effectively. The person selected will possess a professional and personal demeanor that elicits trust and confidence from other employees, staff, and trustees.

Education and/or experience: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university, or an associate’s degree and/or combination of four years’ experience and education. Familiarity with higher education, church-related agencies or other foundation, non-profit or philanthropic organizations preferred. The capacity to manage dynamic and shifting responsibilities with flexibility and calm is crucial.

Writing skills: Excellent planning, organization and interpersonal and communication skills are essential. Ability to write correspondence, minutes, and to present information effectively and respond to questions from groups of faculty, administrators, board members, students and the general public in person and on the telephone are necessary.

Budget skills: Ability to maintain Executive Vice President’s budget accounts and perform other bookkeeping tasks, such as reports and reimbursements, is essential.

Other skills and abilities: Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook), typing at 40 w.p.m., excellent proofreading, editing of correspondence, Smartsheet, Raiser’s Edge.

This is a full-time position. Compensation is competitive based on commensurate experience. Comprehensive benefits package is offered.

To apply, send cover letter and resume to: Union Theological Seminary, 3041 Broadway, New York, NY 10027; email: utsjobs@uts.columbia.edu.

Union Theological Seminary is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, religion, nationality, or ethnicity.

Description of the Position

Provides a high level of administrative support in the Office Finance and Operations.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Performing multifaceted general office support
• Answer and directing phone calls
• Scheduling and coordinating meetings, interviews, events, and other similar activities
• Prepare business correspondence typically using Microsoft Office (Word, Excel,
• PowerPoint, Access, and Outlook); sending faxes
• Sending out and receiving mail and packages
• Assist in the preparation of reports
• Develop and maintain filing systems
• Order office supplies and maintain appropriate inventory
• Maintain contact lists
• Act as point of contact for internal and external customers, vendors, etc.
• Liaise with other assistants within the institution as necessary
• Filing check copies + backup
• Assist with getting checks signed, stuffing envelopes
• Timecard reminders + follow up
• Timesheet collection + sorting
• Entering vendors + filing W9s
• Filing direct deposit forms
• Scanning + filing investment and bank statements
• Serve as insurance coordinator: track insurance certificates, coordinate claims and billing

Qualifications:

• Bachelor degree required
• 4-5 of years of hands-on experience as an administrative /executive assistant
• Proficiency in MS Word, MS Excel, MS Outlook, and PowerPoint
• Excellent communication skills – written and verbal
• Ability to prioritize workflow
• Strong problem-solving skills
• Good research skills and attention to detail