Job Opening: Executive Director of PANA and PSR Faculty Member

Pacific School of Religion Announces an Opening
for
Executive Director of PANA (Institute for Leadership Development and Study of Pacific Asian North American Religion) and Faculty Member

Pacific School of Religion (PSR) is a multi-denominational graduate seminary founded in 1866. PSR gives employees opportunities to learn, contribute to strong teams and demonstrate leadership. We believe that diverse viewpoints, mutual respect, trust and openness help to create a great working climate. Our mission statement commits PSR to being an open and affirming community that honors diversity and presses toward racial, gender, sexual orientation and economic justice.  Visit the website at www.psr.edu.

Job Summary:
The Executive Director of PANA will provide administrative oversight of the Center at Pacific School of Religion.  The Executive Director will also serve as a faculty member providing educational and intellectual leadership in an open discipline or area of study. As a faculty member, the Executive Director will carry a half time teaching load which is two three credit courses during the academic year, publish creative and recognized scholarship, and is expected to become a Core Doctoral Faculty member at the Graduate Theological Union (GTU).  Rank is open.  

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
As Executive Director of PANA
The Executive Director of PANA functions as the Chief Executive Officer of the Institute. The position includes but is not limited to the following functions:

  • Responsible for the vision, growth, and sustainability of the Institute
  • Hire, train and supervise Institute staff, creating and fostering a team attitude
  • Primary liaison to PSR and GTU faculty, PSR administration and Board of Trustees
  • As the primary external “face” of the Institute, responsible for speaking publicly, working with the media, and working with other organizations (e.g., denominational advocacy groups, etc.)
  • Cultivate relationships with other API faith communities, academic  institutions and centers
  • Support PANA’s current fund-raising programs and build up PANA’s endowment, with ultimately responsibility for major donor cultivation and fund-raising “asks”
  • Ultimate approval of all reports, budgets, grant requests, news bulletins, etc.
  • Responsible for the fiscal planning of the Institute with staff and PSR administrators
  • Be accountable to the PANA Oversight Committee in terms of program direction and development endeavors

As PSR Faculty Member

  • Carry out the responsibilities listed in the Faculty Manual
  • Participate in PSR community life as a member of the faculty involved in teaching, scholarship, student advising and community service
  • Advise M.Div., MTS, D.Min. and  GTU M.A. and Ph.D. students
  • Share with other faculty in the committee work of the school and the GTU
  • Work with faculty to shape the vision and goals of the seminary
  • Seek opportunities for development of creative teaching, including the use of newer technologies
  • Develop curriculum and teach in interdisciplinary collaboration with other faculty colleagues

Qualifications:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  • Earned doctorate in an area of religious or theological studies (specific field open) (Ph.D. Th.D., Ed.D.)
  • Vision and ability to set future directions for PANA and carry out the developments of those directions
  • Extensive experience, knowledge, and involvement in Asian, Asian American and Pacific Islander faith communities
  • Experience, competence, and a track record of successful grant writing and fund raising
  • Experience and competence in supervising program and support staff
  • Experience and competence to oversee budget and financial management of the Institute
  • Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with PANA staff and others
  • Strong verbal and written communications skills, including public speaking, negotiations, and effective communication with diverse audiences (including PSR alums, faculty and administrators).  Ability to build solid and lasting relationships that are necessary and conducive to widening PANA’s communal and donor base,  including individuals of high net worth
  • Scholarly publications and a developed research agenda, and record of scholarly work consistent with rank
  • Commitment to an active scholarly agenda (particularly in ways that relate to API realities, concerns, and possibilities), as well as excellence in teaching
  • Proven experience and achievement as a teacher consistent with rank
  • Commitment to strong leadership and collegial teaching in theological education
  • Readiness to affirm PSR' s ecumenical and Christian heritage and commitment as an open and affirming community that honors diversity and presses toward racial, gender, sexual orientation and economic and ecological justice
  • Ability to balance conflicting demands and interests
  • Demonstrate an understanding of contextual and cross-cultural dimensions of her/his field, be engaged in interdisciplinary conversation, and demonstrate an awareness of and sensitivity to diversity in teaching and research
  • Experience in contextual analysis, critical theological reflection, assessment and small group processes
  • A commitment to dismantling racism and competent at cross-cultural relations
  • Active connections to faith communities

Application Process:
Candidates should submit a letter of application, curriculum vitae, and three letters of reference to:

Dr. Mary D. Turner, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean
Pacific School of Religion
1798 Scenic Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94709
Email:  mdturner@psr.edu

Applications are due by December 1, 2008, in order to be considered for informal interviews in February 2009. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.  Persons who apply for this position should be available for teaching in the Fall of 2009.  Rank is negotiable depending on experience and other qualifications.

Compensation Package:  Includes family health, dental and vision insurance, employer contribution to 403(b) retirement account, free parking, an extraordinary & committed team of colleagues, and beautiful park-like campus.
 

PSR is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer