Summer Chaplain - 2027

About the Organization

ASP 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.

ASP is an equal opportunity employer. No one will be denied employment on the grounds of age, sex, race, national origin, or differing physical or mental ability. Employment decisions will be based solely on qualifications for and ability to perform the duties of the position for which employment is sought.

About the Program

Chaplains travels within the five-state region of West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Kentucky in which ASP hosts the summer volunteer program. Chaplains provide evening programming assistance and leadership, input on faith-related training sessions, and spiritual consultation and support to summer staff and partners in service. They are a member of our summer support staff, providing out tradition summer staff in the fields with spiritual support. Chaplains also complete miscellaneous administrative duties related to ASP’s spiritual components in coordination with the Ministries Department, summer center staffs, and the Director of Spiritual Programs. Chaplains are persons who have a deep grounding in a life of Christian faith and are skilled at sharing their faith. Chaplains go to our brothers and sisters in a spirit of Christian love and service.

Job Responsibilities

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.

ASP does not require, as a condition of employment, membership in or profession of a specific denominational theology

Compensation

Chaplain will receive bi-weekly payment based on the number of staffs they are assigned, over the eleven-week employment cycle. Starting pay is at $5206. ASP provides all chaplains with housing, food, and access to an ASP vehicle for work use. Chaplains will also receive a stipend for laundry and a weekly allowance for food, drink, candy, etc.