An LU Shepherd provides accountability and biblical guidance to Liberty University students through life-skills training, mentoring, discipleship, and visitation. A Shepherd is directly responsible to and assists the Director of LU Shepherd and/or the Office of Spiritual Development in whatever areas deemed necessary. Furthermore, it is the responsibility of the LU Shepherd office to provide direction and support for any crisis/emergency medical and chaplaincy situations. These situations require each staff member to be on call 24 hours a day for one continuous week, typically three weeks per semester. While on-call, LU Shepherd personnel can engage in normal activities outside of working hours, but cannot leave the greater Lynchburg area. The on-call schedule is published at the beginning of each semester. LU Shepherd personnel are also responsible for updating electronic files and keeping complete and accurate record of student situations. A Shepherd is also involved in originating, planning, coordinating, and implementing educational programs and opportunities for holistic spiritual development for the student population.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Four-year college degree, with previous work experience with college-aged students in a church or university setting. A working knowledge of student issues and educational trends, as they relate to higher education, is necessary.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE:

Master’s degree in related field.

PHYSICAL AND SENSORY ABILITIES

• Occasionally required to travel.
• Frequently required to sit for extended periods to perform deskwork or type on a keyboard.
• Regularly required to hear and speak in order to effectively communicate orally.
• Occasionally required to stand, walk, and climb stairs to move about the building.
• Handle materials, reach overhead, kneel or stoop in order to conduct business.
• Regularly lift 10 or fewer pounds.

DRIVING REQUIREMENTS

Use of one’s personal vehicle (or LU vehicles) is required for travel in the performance of the essential functions of this position. Proof of a valid Virginia driver’s license, an acceptable DMV record, and liability insurance is required.
Target Hire Date
2025-06-02
Time Type
Full time
Location
Lynchburg - In Office
The University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe it is our moral and legal obligation to meet the responsibility of ensuring that all management practices regarding employees are conducted in a nondiscriminatory manner. In compliance with Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, and other applicable federal and state statutes, all recruiting, hiring, training, and promoting for all job classifications will be administered without regard to race, color, ancestry, age, sex, national origin, pregnancy or childbirth, disability, military veteran status or other applicable status protected by law, including state of employment protected classes. It is, therefore, our policy and intention to evaluate all employees and prospective employees strictly according to the requirements of the job. All personnel related activities such as compensation, benefits, transfers, job classification, assignments, working conditions, educational assistance, terminations, layoffs, and return from layoffs, and all other terms, conditions and privileges of employment will be administered without regard to race, color, ancestry, age, sex, national origin, pregnancy or childbirth, disability, military veteran status or other applicable status protected by law, including all applicable state of employment protected classes. The University is a Christian religious-affiliated organization; and as such, is not subject to religious discrimination requirements. The University’s hiring practices and EEO discrimination practices are in full compliance with both federal and state law. Federal law creates an exception to the “religion” component of the employment discrimination laws for religious organizations (including educational institutions), and permits them to give employment practice preference to members of their own religious beliefs

• Provide appropriate spiritual counseling, life-skills direction and mentoring to students; referring students for professional counseling as necessary.
• Engage and Interact with students on a daily basis, serving as mentor/discipler through events, meetings, activities, or groups.
• Assist in facilitating and planning Memorial Services for students who have passed away, as requested by Director.
• Review and follow-up on Incident Reports and Liberty Emergency Services Reports for matters requiring immediate attention (hospitalization, suicidal language, sickness, family emergency, death, assault, spiritual warfare, etc.).
• Contact and correspond with parents when warranted (physical, social, psychological, spiritual, academic, or discipline related issues), while following FERPA guidelines.
• Provide information and assistance to prospective students and visitors.
• Assist administration with student-related issues/resolutions (Chancellor, President, Student Advocate, International Student Office, etc.).
• Collect, monitor, and review assessment related data report documents.
• Act as liaison to faculty, staff and administration in regard to student related problems.
• Be direct point of contact for approximately 25-35 Resident Shepherds and pour into these individuals.
• Attend all convocations/Campus Community — Fill role of counselors for students who respond to altar calls.
• Hospital visitation for student population.
• Works effectively as a team member, embracing and fostering LU’s mission.
• Assist Executive Director and Director with other various duties and functions as deemed appropriate.
• Oversees a group of approximately 200 student leaders and provides, mentoring, discipleship and spiritual support to them as they provide peer-to-peer support to students that live in their halls.
• Serves as pastoral support for weekly university convocations and Bible studies.
• Meets with students one-on-one, providing pastoral counseling and other spiritual support.
• Provides premarital and marital counseling for students and staff and performs.