CTR FOR ADV RESEARCH - Head Ctr for Adventist Research (non-AU employed)

Job Classification

  Faculty Administrative

Position summary

A member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in good and regular standing, the director of the Center for Adventist Research (CAR) serves as an Assistant Director of the White Estate and assists in promoting, supervising, and coordinating all aspects of the Center at Andrews University. The director holds a terminal degree in Adventist Studies, Seventh-day Adventist Church History or related disciplines, holds a faculty rank in the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary and is responsible for all aspects of the operations of CAR.
Individual holding this position will be employed by the General Conference.

Qualifications summary

• An earned Ph.D. or equivalent in the area of Adventist Studies, Seventh-day Adventist Church History or related disciplines.


• Administrative experience in managing budgets and personnel.


• Pastoral experience preferred.

Experience and/or academic qualifications in the management of special collections and archives preferred.


Must be a Seventh-day Adventist in good and regular standing.

Duties and responsibilities

• Engages in visioning and strategic planning to advance the contributions of the Center in the life and work of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and its ministries.


• Conducts original research that will result in a more complete understanding of Ellen White's life and ministry and the history of the Seventh-day Adventist Church that result in professional papers, other source documents, and publications.


• Responsible for all aspects of CAR’s management, direction, and outreach in collaboration with the associate director, and other staff in the Center. In this role, serves as the Secretary of the CAR Board.


• Develops, in cooperation with others, plans and policies for the operation and management of the Center.


• Responsible for negotiating and managing the Center’s budget with the controlling entities—the University and the White Estate.


• Responsible for operation of CAR including supervising employees, maintaining files and equipment, and serving as liaison with the University.


• Serves as a resource person for Andrews University, pastors, teachers, and other church workers and institutions.


• Has responsibilities as a faculty member of the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary’s Church History Department and teaches courses and seminars on Ellen G. White, the gift of prophecy, and Adventist history.


• Serves on various committees in the Seminary such as Seminary Faculty and the department of Church History faculty. Also serves, as qualified, on dissertation committees.


• Participates in all activities of the Church History Department, including, but not limited to the annual Heritage Sabbath at Battle Creek, the Ellen G. White and Current Issues Symposium, and the New England Adventist History Tour.


• Provides guidance, cooperation, and teaching for the Ellen G. White and Adventist Studies academic certificate program for the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary.


• Provides explanations regarding Ellen White’s writings in their nineteenth and twentieth century historical context.


• Accepts speaking appointments as a representative of the White Estate.


• Plans and implements programs to enhance awareness and appreciation for the ministry of Ellen White and Adventist history/theology.


• Serves on boards and committees as assigned.


• Collaborates with the Associate Director in the day to day management of Center activities. The Associate Director provides overall direction for collection management and office operation, in consultation with and guidance from the Director.


• Develops and maintains a positive working relationship with all faculty, the staff in the Center, the White Estate employees and the General Conference administrators.


• Serves as the personnel director for the Center, including the various entities that make up the Center.


• Represents the Center to various campus administrators, faculty, groups, and others as needed.


• Maintains a good working relationship with the James White Library Dean and the Library faculty and staff. 


• Is responsible for all outreach initiatives, in the Center, on campus, and off campus, including tours, exhibit planning and creation, social media, production of seminars, speaking appointments, and etc.


• Is responsible for fund raising to meet special Center needs not covered by budget appropriations.


• Represents the Center in collection development activities focused on donor relations and the acquisition of manuscript collections.


• Represents the Center on numerous boards and committees on and off campus.


• Serves as the primary connection between the Center, its various entities, and campus administration.


• Provides primary administrative leadership for the Adventist Digital Library (ADL), serving typically as the Secretary of the Adventist Digital Library Board. In this capacity, serves as supervisor, under the direction of the Board, of the ADL management team.


• Provides administrative leadership for the Andrews University Archives and Records Center, coordinating the work of the University Archivist, and serving as Secretary of the governing committee.


• Collaborates with the Associate Director in the acquisitions work of the Center, with a primary focus on primary resources.


• As an Assistant Director of the Ellen G. White Estate, represents the White Estate on the Andrews University campus through interactions with researchers, speaking appointments, research, and writing activities.


• Oversees the management of the White Estate resources housed at the Center, principally, the copies of the Ellen White letters and manuscripts.


• Must maintain a regular and reliable work schedule.


• Performs other duties as assigned

Supervisory responsibilities

• Broad knowledge of the beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and the principles and policies of the General Conference. 


• Command of the English language including proficiency in verbal and written forms. 


• Communication skills to effectively present facts and recommendations in oral and written form, including but not limited to presenting information to both academic and lay audiences.


• Management ability to supervise and evaluate employees, including expertise in developing long-term and short-term assessments to effectively evaluate work accomplishments


• Experience in strategic planning, organizational leadership and conducting routine administrative functions.


• Experience in establishing and maintaining working relationships with internal and external constituents.

Demonstrate cultural competence and sensitivity to diverse perspectives.

Qualifications

• An earned Ph.D. or equivalent in the area of Adventist Studies, Seventh-day Adventist Church History or related disciplines.


• Administrative experience in managing budgets and personnel.


• Pastoral experience preferred.

Experience and/or academic qualifications in the management of special collections and archives preferred.


Must be a Seventh-day Adventist in good and regular standing.

Technical competencies

Ability to communicate using technology 
Ability to create and communicate reports using technology
 
 

Interpersonal interactions

Networking relationships with General Conference leaders, other church leaders and other non-profit organizations.
Ability to build trusting relationships and maintain confidentiality especially when handling sensitive information. Preserve the integrity of the Center at all times by maintaining a high degree of professionalism.
Engender transparency when dealing with supervisors and colleagues at the White Estate, the University, the General Conference and the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Demonstrate collegial and interpersonal skills and project a professional Christian image.

Physical demands

Physical ability to carry out routine daily functions.
Physical, emotional and cultural competence to travel to various parts of the world, representing the University and the church.
Essential responsibilities are performed primarily in a sedentary and comfortable manner.  Tasks are usually performed under normal office conditions with little or no noticeable discomfort.  Work area is well lighted and ventilated.
Travel that may require irregular hours, weekends, some hazards and difficult working conditions and environments.
Travel will be in accordance with GC Handbook Policy. 

Work environment

Essential responsibilities are performed primarily in a sedentary and comfortable manner.  Tasks are usually performed under normal office conditions with little or no noticeable discomfort.  Work area is well lighted and ventilated.
Travel that may require irregular hours, weekends, some hazards and difficult working conditions and environments.
Travel will be in accordance with GC Handbook Policy.