Head Chaplain/Religion Department Chair

Breck School

Job Description

Title: Head Chaplain/Religion Department Chair

FLSA Status: Exempt

Reports to: Head of School

Vacation: Holiday break, spring break, month of July

Updated: April 2023

School Overview

Breck School is a preschool through twelve, coeducational college preparatory, Episcopal day school located in Golden Valley, Minnesota, with a national reputation for excellence and achievement in academics, athletics, and the arts. Our School’s Episcopal roots are lived through an unwavering commitment to equity, inclusion, and belonging where we respect the dignity of every human being. We prioritize lifelong learning and a commitment to the greater good. 

We are a community of highly engaged and motivated students, faculty, staff, and school leaders focused on building trusting relationships and strong academic scholarship through a practice of bridging research to practice. Upon graduation, Breck students are prepared for a life of intellectual curiosity, self-knowledge, and social responsibility, matriculating to colleges and universities throughout the world. 

Position Description

The Head Chaplain plays the lead role in defining, preserving, and promoting the School’s Episcopal identity to all constituencies. Building on the Episcopal ideals of inquiry, inclusion, and reason, the Head Chaplain is a community builder. They work across divisions and departments to coordinate a Chapel program that celebrates many paths to God, rather than specific religious formation. Importantly, our Chapel programming is intended to unify our broad community, which represents all faiths, as well as those of no particular organized faith background while simultaneously honoring individual community members’ religious identities.

In collaboration with the Lower School Chaplain, the Head Chaplain develops, facilitates, and promotes unique, school specific programming for All-School Chapel, and leads Middle School and Upper School Chapels. The chaplain also performs duties in the Middle School and Upper School, including leading chapel and teaching religion classes. In addition, this position provides pastoral care to the full breadth and diversity of students, families, and employees as needed and oversees the K-12 Community Engagement program. The Head Chaplain reports directly to the Head of School. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

Chapel Program: 

• Oversee, support, and be involved as needed in the chapel program for all three divisions. 
• Oversee and facilitate a meaningful, inclusive and age-appropriate PK-12 chapel program including All-School, Upper School, and Middle School Chapels.
• Coordinate worship events throughout the year. 

Pastoral Care: 

• Promote and encourage the spiritual well-being of the community
• Work with the Lower School Chaplain, Program Directors, Division Directors, and senior leadership on building community and a sense of belonging for families. 
• Support students, employees, and families as needs arise.
• Maintain a visible presence in the school community. 

Administration: 

• Oversee the annual Chaplaincy and Religion budget. 
• Assume responsibility for the Chapel space.
• Recruit, orient, support, evaluate, and supervise the chaplaincy team. 
• Support the Admissions and Development Offices in maintaining a clear and accurate understanding of the Episcopal identity in service of the mission of the school. 

Education: 

• Serve on the Academic Leadership Team and coordinate with Religion Department teachers to maintain the religion curriculum, PreK through 12th grade.
• Teach a course within the Religion Department 
• Support implementation of strategic DEI initiatives. 
• Other duties as assigned by the Head of School.

Education and/or Experience:

• Status as an ordained Episcopal priest or an ordained deacon preferred.
• BA/BS or equivalent in an appropriate field, Master’s preferred. 
• Three years’ experience working in an educational environment. 

Contact Information