Chaplain

Country Meadows•Frederick, MD

11d

About The Position

At Country Meadows, the Chaplain supports residents’ spiritual well-being as part of whole-person care. The Chaplain builds meaningful relationships with residents, families, and coworkers, offering spiritual guidance, attentive listening, and support through important life moments, changes, and transitions. Ministry is part of everyday campus life and includes personal visits, conversations, worship, spiritual life groups, celebrations, and community connections. The Chaplain collaborates with campus teams to integrate spirituality into daily living and promote overall well-being. This is a full-time position with a schedule of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Chaplain must be available to work at least one Sunday per month and various religious holidays or observances as needed. Pay is $25.00–$27.00 per hour, based on applicable experience, education, training, and credentials.

Requirements

Degree in ministry or a related field from an accredited institution, preferably a Master of Divinity (M.Div.), or a bachelor’s degree with additional specialized ministry training.
Recognition, certification, or endorsement from a recognized religious body.
Ordained, licensed, or endorsed for ministry within a recognized faith tradition and able to perform pastoral duties.
Ability to build trusting relationships with residents, families, and coworkers and provide compassionate spiritual care.
Strong communication, attentive listening, preaching, teaching, and pastoral care skills.
Ability to serve individuals respectfully without imposing personal beliefs and to support residents from a variety of backgrounds.
Compassion for and commitment to working with older adults, including people living with dementia or memory impairment.
Dependable and flexible, with the ability to remain emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually present across levels of care.
Comfort using technology for communication and administrative responsibilities.
Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation for off-campus responsibilities.
Authorized to lead worship and administer communion services through an established relationship with a church or other recognized religious organization.

Nice To Haves

Experience providing ministry in an ecumenical or interfaith setting.
Chaplaincy training or experience, such as Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE), pastoral counseling, or similar preparation.
Ministry experience in parish, healthcare, or long-term care settings.
Experience working with older adults, including those living with dementia or memory impairment.

Responsibilities

Provide pastoral care, spiritual guidance, and individualized support to residents, families, and coworkers through visitation, listening, and relationship-building.
Support residents and families through significant health changes, life transitions, and end-of-life needs, including bereavement care and hospital visitation when appropriate.
Lead weekly ecumenical worship services, religious holiday and holy day observances, Celebration of Life services, and other spiritual gatherings.
Coordinate with local clergy, faith communities, and other spiritual resources to help residents remain connected to their individual faith practices.
Develop and lead spiritual life programming, including devotions, discussion groups, reflective practices, music and hymn programs, fellowship opportunities, and resident support groups.
Create opportunities for connection and spiritual well-being across levels of care, including programming for residents experiencing aging, health concerns, or adjustment to long-term care.
Advocate for residents’ spiritual, emotional, cultural, and religious needs and contribute spiritual-care insight as part of the interdisciplinary campus team.
Collaborate with Dynamic Living and campus leadership to integrate spirituality into resident programming, daily campus life, and overall well-being.
Provide spiritual and emotional support to coworkers during crisis, grief, and workplace stress.
Coordinate spiritual life services and programming, support coworkers and volunteers involved in spiritual care, and participate in campus and organizational meetings and education as needed.