Research Associate position available

Interfaith Research Associate Position Available

Note: as of December 23, 2022, this position has been filled and applications will no longer be reviewed. Thanks for your interest!

Christian Associates of Southwest Pennsylvania is seeking a temporary, part-time Interfaith Research Associate to work closely with the Center for Loving Kindness at the JCC of Greater Pittsburgh on Sofa Spirituality and its Northern New Jersey research report. Ideally, this person could begin work by the end of November 2022; we anticipate that the project will be complete by July 2023.

About this Project

Sofa Spirituality is an interfaith dialogue project established by Christian Associates of Southwest Pennsylvania and the Center for Loving Kindness, JCC of Greater Pittsburgh in March 2020. Sofa Spirituality defeats spiritual isolation by facilitating informal dialogues among diverse people of faith, using interviews with spiritual leaders as a window into our neighbors’ traditions and as a mirror to reflect on our own beliefs and practices.

With the support of the Russell Berrie Foundation, Sofa Spirituality is mapping interfaith connections in northern New Jersey, creating a comprehensive research report on the status of interfaith work in Bergen, Hudson, and Passaic counties and uncovering new opportunities for implementing the Sofa Spirituality model.

Position Responsibilities:

Research and Interviewing
- Work with colleagues to identify key interfaith leaders and institutions in Northern New Jersey
- Schedule, conduct, and report at least 50 interviews (typically via Zoom) with leaders of Northern New Jersey houses of worship and faith-based institutions

(We anticipate each interview taking 45 minutes along with 30 minutes of planning and write up. Estimated total: 62.5 hours)

Analysis and Reporting
- Working with colleagues, compile a comprehensive report on Northern New Jersey’s interfaith landscape and infrastructure

(Estimated total: 30 hours)

Project Planning and Facilitation
- Identify opportunities for Sofa Spirituality implementations in Northern New Jersey, and work with colleagues to customize programs to meet partners’ needs
- Facilitate Sofa Spirituality dialogues, both in custom implementations and in public sessions
- Record interviews with spiritual leaders (from Northern New Jersey and beyond) for use in future Sofa Spirituality dialogues

(Estimated total: 40 hours)

Qualifications:

The ideal candidate for this position will demonstrate:

Extensive experience working in faith-based organizations (ordination in a Christian tradition preferred);
Interfaith experience, and a broad-minded, creative approach to interfaith work;
Research experience;
Strong interpersonal communication skills;
Expertise in analysis and writing;
Problem solving and organizational skills;
Strong computer skills including use of MS Office and Zoom;
Ability to develop rapport with a wide range of individuals and organizations representing a variety of backgrounds.

Pennsylvania residency and/or familiarity with Northern New Jersey is preferred but not required.

Details & How to Apply:

Work may be completed remotely or from the Christian Associates office in East Liberty on a flexible schedule. Occasional travel to Northern New Jersey may be required and will be fully reimbursed.

Compensation is $27 per hour.

To apply, please submit a cover letter (customized to describe your interest in this specific position) and resume by email to the Rev. Liddy Barlow, Executive Minister, Christian Associates of Southwest Pennsylvania at lbarlow@casp.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

About Christian Associates

Christian Associates of Southwest Pennsylvania brings together 28 church bodies -- Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant -- in 10 counties to serve as a unifying voice in the name of Jesus Christ for the mission of the Gospel and the wholeness of communities, through collegiality, collaboration, and connectedness.