Bethesda, MD United States
Overview
The Chaplain is a senior administrative position reporting to the Head of School. This leader serves as the spiritual cornerstone of our community, fostering an inclusive Episcopal identity that welcomes and celebrates all faiths. The Chaplain’s responsibilities encompass liturgical leadership, pastoral care, religious education, and oversight of the civil discourse and service initiatives. Working closely with the school’s leadership team, the director ensures the school’s mission and Episcopal values are woven throughout the community’s daily life.
Administration
- Oversee the school’s Episcopal identity and spiritual life
- Lead the development of the school’s new Civil Discourse program
- Lead service learning efforts and supervise the work of the Service Learning Coordinator
Coordinate the “Safe Church, Safe Communities” program - Serve as a liaison to the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, the National Association of Episcopal Schools (NAES), and the Mid-Atlantic Episcopal Schools Association (MAESA)
- Collaborate with colleagues to ensure the school’s core values are reflected throughout our programs
Liturgy
- Prepare and preside over weekly Early Childhood Chapel, weekly Elementary and Middle School
- Chapel, and special/All-School Chapels throughout the year
- Prepare and deliver brief values-oriented homilies as part of Chapels
- Develop opportunities for student leadership in Chapel
- Develop periodic opportunities for students to learn about a variety of faiths as part of Chapel
- Pastoral Care
- Provide pastoral counseling services to students, families, and educators as needed
- Coordinate lay-led support systems for the community, including the work of our educator-led employee care group
Teaching and Learning
- Oversee a religion curriculum that reflects the mission, core values, and Episcopal identity of the school and that increases the religious literacy of our students
- Teach religion classes to selected grades
- Assist teachers with developing classroom lessons that correspond with the school’s mission, core values, and Episcopal identity
Additional Qualifications and Experience
- Episcopal or ELCA ordination (or on the ordination path) required
- Masters or other advanced degree preferred
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Creativity, positive attitude, and adaptability, and an ability to lead with calm in stressful situations
- Ability to successfully develop and maintain positive relationships with students, colleagues, and school families
- Minimum of 5 years experience in educational or youth ministry setting preferred
- Experience in an interfaith setting preferred
- Experience developing and implementing religious/spiritual curriculum
- Strong project management and organizational skills
- Proficiency with standard educational and office technology platforms
- Track record of successful collaboration with diverse stakeholder
Washington Episcopal School is an independent, co-educational school for students from PK3 through Grade 8. Washington Episcopal School inspires academic and personal excellence within a joyful learning environment to develop students who are kind, confident, and prepared.
WES provides a competitive wage and an inviting, professional, and collegial working environment. WES is committed to a diverse and inclusive community and seeks applications for this position from candidates who will contribute to an environment where all are valued and supported.
Compensation and Benefits
Salary Range: $90,000 – 110,000
- Excellent health insurance
- The TIAA-CREF retirement annuity, up to 7.5% employer contribution
- Funding for professional development
- 60% tuition remission for the children of faculty and staff, plus additional need-based aid as applicable
- Complimentary Extended Day for the children of faculty and staff
- 50-100% tuition remission for Summer@WES for the children of faculty and staff
- 9 days of PTO, plus an additional three weeks of summer leave for 12-month employees
Regrettably, we are unable to sponsor visa applications at this time.