Job location: Charlottesville, VA

The University of Virginia seeks a Student Flourishing and Contemplation Coordinator to support the Contemplative Sciences Center. Founded in 2012, the Contemplative Sciences Center (CSC) is an innovative interdisciplinary center at the University of Virginia dedicated to research and application on how theories and practices of flourishing and contemplation can be better integrated into educational environments to facilitate students flourishing as whole individuals.

The Student Flourishing and Contemplation Coordinator will help conceive, execute, and support innovative contemplative programs for students in academic, co-curricular, and extra-curricular contexts. This includes programs that are face-to-face, as well as delivered online in synchronous form, and the development of content delivered asynchronously through websites and apps. Thus activities may range from 1:1 coaching and mentoring relationships with students as part of an academic class; developing deep partnerships and working strategically with student organizations that serve specific student populations including student-athletes, first-generation, and minoritized student populations; developing contemplative programs for fraternities and sororities; planning and leading contemplative components of one day to multi-day retreats for various student programs; to supporting faculty members in integrating contemplative components into their academic classes, to designing and running a two month once a week series offered to students as a co-curricular experience, to working with students to design weekend extra-curricular events.

The position will have a particular responsibility for engaging and supporting students who have historically marginalized at the University, including students of color, first generation college students, LGBTQ students, and others. Likewise, the position will play a key role in our community engagement programs that build a more equitable relationship between the University and local communities, particularly those historically not engaged or supported by the University. This position also involves developing content that leverages technology and social media to engage students creatively and invite them into deeper contemplative experiences. The work will entail collaborating with a variety of part-time contemplative instructors who help the center execute its various programs. Finally the position will work with other organizations and Universities across the country, and world, who are also focused on innovative solutions for student flourishing via contemplative approaches. This includes the Mindfulness Director Initiative that is focused on integrating mindfulness into education for wellbeing and societal flourishing. In all of the above work, collecting data at a minimum for program evaluation, and potentially for research purposes is a key element.

A Bachelor's degree is required with at least two years of relevant experience. Relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree. The job is ideal for someone who has a deep commitment to working with students in holistic ways to help fashion integrated pathways towards their flourishing as whole individuals - physically, mentally, emotionally, socially, academically, and professionally. The candidate must have a deep background in contemplative practices, as well as deep experience teaching contemplation to others, and the ability to design new contemplative practices for a variety of emergent contexts. They should also have a broader commitment to student flourishing that extends beyond just contemplation. More generally, the candidate should have strong verbal and written communication skills, as well as strong organizational and administrative abilities. The candidate must also work with great attention to detail, show initiative, demonstrate flexibility to respond to varying demands, and work well in team environments. Interest and experience in digital technology and how to design programs that empower students to protect themselves from the adverse effects of such technologies and to utilize them positively, as well as use digital technology to create affordances for transformative experiences is looked upon positively, but not required. We are also particularly interested in candidates who have experience working with marginalized student populations and have an orientation towards equity, including the integration of contemplative work and social justice work.

This position will remain open until filled. Review of Applicants will begin April 13, 2021. This is an Exempt level, benefited position. This position is a restricted position and is dependent upon project need, availability of funding and performance. The University will perform background checks on all new hires prior to employment. For questions about the position or the application process, please contact Ashley Cochran, Senior Recruiter at alc6dk@virginia.edu.

Please apply through Workday, and search for "Student Flourishing and Contemplation Coordinator". Complete an application online and attach a CV/resume and cover letter that addresses your specific interest in the position and how you have and/or would contribute to culturally competent, inclusive, and equity-informed educational and development practices at the University. Internal applicants must apply through their UVA Workday profile.

The University of Virginia, including the UVA Health System which represents the UVA Medical Center, Schools of Medicine and Nursing, UVA Physician’s Group and the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, are fundamentally committed to the diversity of our faculty and staff. We believe diversity is excellence expressing itself through every person's perspectives and lived experiences. We are equal opportunity and affirmative action employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, veteran status, and family medical or genetic information.