Lead School Chaplain

The Berkeley Preparatory School, an outstanding independent coeducational day school in Tampa, Florida, is mission-driven to provide the best possible environment in which to nurture the intellectual, emotional, physical, and spiritual development of each child, and to instill in each a strong sense of ethics, morality, and social responsibility. Berkeley has built a national reputation for academic rigor at the country’s most prestigious universities and offers an exceedingly broad array of co-curriculars. The school’s active Episcopal affiliation focuses on inclusivity, support, respect, and the shared values reflected in Berkeley’s vision statement: ‘Berkeley puts people in the world who make a positive difference’.

The School seeks a dynamic and approachable ordained Episcopal priest or Transitional Deacon to be its next Lead Chaplain. The Lead Chaplain will exert a high level of energy and enthusiasm, and will easily and quickly connect with a variety of people with diverse backgrounds. The ideal candidate will partner with the school’s Associate Chaplain to serve the intellectual and faith-based needs of Berkeley’s passionate, committed, optimistic, kind, and respectful community. He or she will collaborate with all school constituencies to nurture and enrich the lives of students and contribute to the pastoral care of the Berkeley family.

The Lead Chaplain will have a Master of Divinity degree or the equivalent and have a background in the study of world religions, teaching experience, and the ability to engage a multi-faith student body. Strong preference will be given to candidates who are either ordained or on the path to ordination in the Episcopal church.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Lead various weekly services, working with Student Leaders and the Associate Chaplain, including Holy Communion, Mid-Week Prayer, Thursday Morning Prayer, Friday Morning Prayer, and various Sunday Feast Services
• Be the keeper and communicator of the religious holiday calendar.
• Serve as a member of the school’s lead Administrative Team.
• Serve as liaison between the school and the Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida.
• Attend major school functions and lead prayers as called upon.
• Contribute to an interfaith dialogue through the establishment of connections within religious groups and institutions in the greater Tampa Bay area.
• With others, develop and run holiday convocation celebrations in all three divisions of the school.
• Split the teaching of the 8^th grade religion class with the Associate Chaplain.
• Coach, mentor, and most importantly partner with the Associate Chaplain in serving our large pk-12 school.
• Participate in divisional convocations as needed.
• Represent the School to families in time of need (i.e. funerals, hospital visits, etc.).
• Be a pastoral presence across campus, as possible, throughout the school day and during afterschool contests and performances in reasonable measure.
• Be involved with the National Association of Episcopal Schools.
• Other responsibilities as assigned by the Headmaster.

Located on a gorgeous 86-acre campus, Berkeley serves 1440 students in Grades PK-12. The school continues to experience strong interest and full enrollment and is marked with a very strong positive school culture. Berkeley’s faculty, staff and student body reflect the diversity of its surrounding communities.

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