Appalachia Service Project provides one of the most rewarding structured service opportunities in the nation — bringing thousands of volunteers from around the country to rural Central Appalachia to repair homes for low-income families. Appalachia Service Project is a Christian ministry, open to all people, that inspires hope and service through volunteer home repair and replacement in Central Appalachia.
Key responsibilities for chaplains include:
- Be a compassionate listener, care giver and spiritual leader for summer staff members, summer volunteers, and families that ASP serves.
- Lead and assist staff in leading devotions and evening programming at centers.
- Consult with Director of Spiritual Programs and Ministries team on faith-related training and collaborate as needed to create and conduct these training sessions for summer staff.
- Meet with ASP partners—volunteers, families ASP serves, etc., who have requested a meeting with a Chaplain.
- Be available to ASP staff and partners to discuss spiritual issues. This may include coordinating regular phone or email discussions with larger groups of staffers regarding spiritual issues.
- Refer any staff member or volunteer who requires professional help to the Director of Spiritual Programs and then with the ASP on-call counselors.
- Visit multiple summer centers throughout the week as assigned and lead devotions for the staff and (when possible) for the volunteers
- Willingness to help as needed when staff can use an extra set of hands.
- Initiate weekly contact with the Director of Spiritual Programming.
- Submit a post-summer evaluation on the Chaplain position, including data or suggestions for how to improve the spiritual aspects of the summer program.
- Adhere to all policies and procedures of ASP as listed in the employee manual, policy statements, and other documents.
Please note that this position requires a high level of driving. We require all candidates to have a valid driver’s license and driving record acceptable to our insurance company.
Candidate Description
- The ideal candidate is someone with spiritual maturity and a passion for pursuing a growing and deepening personal faith.
- Desire to work in a Christian environment and to be a spiritual leader for staff and volunteers.
- Responsible work habits including:
- Reporting to work on time and working a full schedule
- Cooperating with fellow employees and following procedures
- Safe, efficient operation of equipment
- Conservation of equipment, materials, and supplies
- Strong desire to work with others and share their personal Christian faith, especially as they relate to ASP’s mission.
- Flexibility with work hours and days.
- Willingness to adhere to ASP’s alcohol policy for employees.
- Clear background check.
- Experience working with volunteers; leading and working directly with high school and college aged students.
- Either graduated or currently attending an accredited Seminary or Divinity School, OR equivalent experience.
- Experience with leading worship, devotions and spiritual programming. Or youth ministry, campus ministry.
- Experience with Chaplaincy or Social Work.
- Desire to work with people of many different church traditions and backgrounds.
Emma Christensen