Chaplain

Country Meadows Retirement Communities; Frederick (MD); On-site; USD 34,000 - 37,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) matching

Paid time off

PayActiv on-demand pay

Comprehensive medical benefits

Job summary

Country Meadows Retirement Communities is seeking a Chaplain to provide compassionate pastoral care and spiritual guidance to residents, families, and staff at our Maryland campus. The Chaplain will lead worship services, support end-of-life needs, and collaborate with campus teams to weave spirituality into daily life.

The role requires ordination or endorsement, a ministry degree (preferably M.Div.), and strong communication and listening skills. Full-time schedule includes Sundays.

Qualifications

• Degree in ministry or related field from an accredited institution.
• Ordained, licensed or endorsed for ministry within a recognized faith tradition.
• Genuine ability to build trusting relationships with residents, families and coworkers.

Responsibilities

• Provide compassionate pastoral care and spiritual guidance to residents and families.
• Lead weekly ecumenical worship and religious observances on campus.
• Coordinate with local clergy and faith communities to support resident faith practices.
• Develop spiritual life programming including devotions, groups and songs.
• Advocate for residents' spiritual, emotional and cultural needs within the care team.
• Collaborate with campus leadership to integrate spirituality into daily life.

Skills

Pastoral care

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Active listening

Education

Master of Divinity (M.Div.)

Job description

Pay ranges from $25.00-$27.00/hour, based on applicable experience, education, training, and credentials and comes with a full benefits package, generous paid-time-off and company match 401(k).

At Country Meadows, we believe spiritual well-being is an important part of caring for the whole person. Every resident brings a lifetime of experiences, relationships, traditions and stories, and our Chaplains have the privilege of getting to know them and becoming a meaningful part of their lives. As a Chaplain, you’ll provide a compassionate ministry of presence - building relationships with residents, families and coworkers and offering spiritual guidance, attentive listening and support through life’s meaningful moments, changes and transitions.

Your ministry will be woven into everyday life on our campus - from personal visits and meaningful conversations to worship, spiritual life groups, celebrations and supportive community connections. You’ll collaborate with our campus teams to help integrate spirituality into daily living and promote overall well-being. By taking the time to listen, connect and simply be present, you’ll help affirm life through meaningful relationships and foster the meaning, purpose and connection that contribute to each resident’s spiritual well-being.

Full-time 8:30am to 4:30pm. Must be available to work at least one Sunday per month, as well as various religious holidays/observances as needed.

Chaplain Responsibilities:

• Provide compassionate pastoral care, spiritual guidance and individualized support to residents, families and coworkers through regular visitation, attentive 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.
• Serve as the campus spiritual leader by leading weekly ecumenical worship services, religious holiday and holy day observances, Celebration of Life services and other spiritual gatherings.
• Help residents remain connected to their individual faith practices by coordinating with local clergy, faith communities and other spiritual resources as appropriate.
• Develop and lead meaningful 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 all levels of care, including programming that supports residents experiencing aging, health concerns and 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, including during times of 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.

Chaplain 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.
• Genuine 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 the spiritual needs of residents from a variety of backgrounds.
• Compassion for and commitment to working with older adults, including individuals living with dementia or memory impairment.
• Dependable, flexible and able to remain emotionally, intellectually and spiritually present across all levels of care.
• Comfortable using technology for communication and administrative responsibilities.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation for off-campus responsibilities.
• Must be authorized to lead worship and administer communion services through an established relationship with a church or other recognized religious organization that grants such authorization.

Preferred Experience:

• 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.

Our investment in you:

• Competitive pay with the opportunity to earn more based on experience
• Length of service bonus awards
• PayActiv On-Demand Pay - Work today, get paid tomorrow
• Comprehensive benefits including Highmark Blue Shield for medical
• Excellent vision and dental
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match
• Generous paid time off and roll over of unused time
• Paid holidays including your birthday and a Personal Day of Meaning
• Supplemental life insurance
• Company-paid short-term disability
• Supplemental short- and long-term disability plans
• Family and medical leave
• Paid bereavement and jury duty leave
• Wellness reimbursement incentives
• $2 meals on our campuses including a main dish, a side, drink and dessert

Our support for you:

• Family-owned, private company based in Hershey, Pa.
• Direct access to your supervisory team
• Incentivized career paths and tuition reimbursement
• On-the-job training and continuing education
• Employee assistance program for you and your family
• Co-worker Foundation (grants for in time of need)
• Helping Hand interest-free loans

About Country Meadows:

We have over 2500 co-workers who are serving our residents with meaning, thriving with purpose and leading our company with innovation! We have been serving seniors for over 30 years, and we invite you to join our vision for making lives better.

EOE