APU is seeking employees who desire to engage in our thriving culture by cultivating community through professional interactions, demonstrating a posture of lifelong learning, and modeling Christ-like character. Working together, employees at APU commit to establishing a university atmosphere that is pleasing to God and edifying to one another.

This position is fully grant-funded under APU’s Cornerstones Project. Through the Cornerstones Project, APU will empower a new generation of young leaders to live out their faith in service to others, inspired by a theological framework that integrates spirituality, reflection, and action. Young adults will engage in meaningful service opportunities that will help them discover their potential and envision the impact they can have as they grow spiritually. The Cornerstones Project recently launched APU’s Institute for Faith, Leadership, and Service, which unites students, faculty, and staff to explore the deeper theological dimensions of serving others and enhancing the university’s ability to provide training in theological reflection and Christian leadership. The Institute for Faith, Leadership, and Service will establish APU as a center of collaboration to support innovative service initiatives among the university and external partners, including churches, Christian K-12 schools, and parachurch organizations. This initiative will serve hundreds of APU students with a further reach of thousands of middle school, high school, and college students, with APU serving as a hub over the five-year grant period, fostering a deeper connection between academic learning and spiritual formation.

The Assistant Director works full time (40 hours/week) and works closely with the Director of Faith and Service in the Institute for Faith, Leadership, and Service to implement the grant initiatives for the Cornerstones project as well as other grants within the Institute. This position directly reports to the Director of Faith and Service.

Required Education

• Bachelor's degree required.
• MDiv preferred.
• Familiarity with the Wesleyan theological heritage of APU.

Required Experience

• Five years of professional church and/or parachurch ministry experience.
• Experience in mentoring or supervising college and/or graduate students.
• Experience providing services to high-school youth and/or college students in church or other professional settings.

Primary Duties/Essential Functions

Program Leadership & Coordination

• * Collaborate with the Director of Faith and Service in the Institute for Faith, Leadership, and Service on Cornerstones initiatives and programs affiliated with APU’s Youth Leadership Initiative (YLI).
  

  • Provide day-to-day coordination of YLI events (e.g., Kaleo Worship Nights, Kaleo Youth Conference, youth ministry leaders lunches) and ensure timely completion of project goals.
  • Provide oversight and support to various Institute projects as assigned by one’s supervisor.

Collaboration & Networking

• * Build and maintain relationships across APU departments and programs (e.g., College of the Arts, Humanities, Sciences, and Theology, Student Life, Spiritual Life, Chapel, Undergraduate Admissions, University Advancement, Office of Service and Discipleship, Night of Champions, Center for Reconciliation and Diversity, Event Services, Office of the President, Office of the Provost, Media Services, and Division of Strategic Communications and Engagement). 
  

  • Build and maintain relationships with external partners such as churches, private Christian schools, non-profits, and denominational networks.
  • Visit external partners at respective ministry sites.
  • Attend networking opportunities such as conferences, denominational gatherings, and ministry leaders' gatherings.
  • Work collaboratively with offices and departments, assisting in the implementation of Institute grant outcomes.

Event & Budget Management

• * Supervise student workers and volunteers, manage YLI event budgets in coordination with the Director, and assist with logistical planning and implementation.
  

Marketing & Communication

• * Develop and manage integrated marketing for YLI and the Institute. This includes communications, branding strategies, website updates, social media, and campaign content.
  

Research & Grant Support

• * Contribute to Barna research initiatives, support Faith and Service Incubator participants, and participate in scholarship and research on youth ministry.
  

  • Assist in writing reports and securing future grant funding.
  • Participate in the preparation of project reports for the supervisor, University Advancement, and the Lilly Foundation as requested.

Representation & Strategic Leadership

• * Represent the Institute at conferences and events, promote Institute activities, and provide strategic leadership in youth ministry engagement and outreach.
  

Resource Creation

• * Assist in the development of resources such as written materials and online resources for participating ministries.
  

Faith and Service Incubator Coordination

• * Assist in the coordination of subgrants, support subgrantees, and coordinate related activities.
  

  • Assist in organizing and convening events for subgrantees of the Faith and Service Incubator.
  • Support undergraduate Faith and Service ambassadors.

Skills

• Strong strategic thinking and administrative skills.
• Deep capacity for theological reflection with strong competencies in youth ministry best practices.
• Strong relational and networking skills.
• Ability to think creatively and innovate.
• Collaboration and Relationship Building.
• Project and Program Management.
• Proficiency in teaching, preaching, and public speaking.
• Ability to provide ministry mentoring.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Interacts well with colleagues in many positions and disciplines.
• High capacity for theological and pastoral reflection.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with churches and Christian leaders from a diversity of geographic and theological traditions.

Mental Demands

• Ability to work under pressure, exuding a mature demeanor while multitasking in a deadline-oriented environment with accuracy and consistency.
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work collaboratively with a team, as well to be an independent contributor.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and discretionary skills in determining when to act independently and when to consult management prior to taking action.
• Self-starter with a positive attitude.
• Hold agreement with the purpose, mission, and goals of Azusa Pacific University in providing a Christian-based higher education for its students.

Physical Demands

• Requires repetitive motion and sitting at a computer keyboard.
• Hear and speak on the telephone.
• Able to conduct business at other offices on campus.
• Able to lift, bend, grasp, reach, lift up to 20 lbs. occasionally.

Visual Demands

• Read from computer monitors and paper documents.

Environment

• Pleasant office setting.

Technologies

• Proficient in Google Apps, Microsoft Office, Word, and Excel.

Compensation

• Grade 11: $28.53 to $32.81 is the hourly compensation for this role and reflects what Azusa Pacific University reasonably expects to pay for this position. Actual compensation may vary based on the qualifications, experience, and internal equity. In addition to compensation, APU offers a competitive benefits package.

Azusa Pacific University is a Christ-centered, multicultural community that values and seeks faculty and staff who are committed to diversity, work effectively with diverse populations, and engage others in ways that honor our rich cultural mosaic and biblical foundation. Please click the links to learn more about 'what we believe', our 'mission statement', and our 'statement of faith'.

You can learn more about APU by watching the stories of faculty, staff, and alumni as they carry out our mission here: http://www.apu.edu/stories/

Azusa Pacific University will conduct a background check on all final candidates.

Review of applications will begin immediately, and the position will remain open until filled unless otherwise stated. Azusa Pacific University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices, or procedures. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.

Required Skills

Required Experience

• Effective assessment, evaluation and resolution skills.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to remain flexible and positive in stressful situations.
• Ability to read and comprehend English at a level necessary to follow written and oral instructions and safety precautions.
• Bilingual preferred (English/Spanish).