Middle School Chaplain 2026-2027

Porter-Gaud School is an Episcopal, independent, coeducational day school of 1,650 students in preschool through grade 12. The School is seeking a Middle School Chaplain for the 2026-2027 school year. 

The Middle School Chaplain leads chapel, teaches courses in the Religion & Philosophy Department, fosters spiritual development, and provides pastoral care for the Middle School community (faculty and students, grades 5-8). 

The School will consider ordained candidates, lay candidates currently pursuing ordination, and, in some circumstances, lay candidates not pursuing ordination. Porter-Gaud’s Chaplain Team consists of the Head Chaplain, the Upper School Chaplain (grades 9-12), the Middle School Chaplain (grades 5-8), the Lower School Chaplain (grades 1-4), and the O’Quinn Schools Chaplain (preschool - ages 2-5). The Middle School Chaplain will serve under the direction of the Head Chaplain and the Head of the Middle School. 

Primary Responsibilities:

• Assist the Chaplain Team in all aspects of Chaplaincy at Porter-Gaud.
• Plan and lead weekly Middle School chapel services.
• Coordinate with faculty and student leaders to promote community participation.
• Offer pastoral care to Middle School students, faculty, and families.
• Teach courses in the Religion & Philosophy Department (2-3 sections per quarter). 
• Current Offerings:
• 6th Grade: The Story of the Bible
• 7th Grade: Introduction to Christianity
• Previous Offerings: 
• 5th Grade: Narnia, Aslan, and the Christian Imagination
• 8th Grade: Introduction to World Religions
• Collaborate with other Chaplains for Thursday Morning Eucharist services.
• Lead weekly Middle School Vestry and Bible study gatherings.
• Serve as a member of the Middle School Student Support Team.
• Assist with the Middle School WATCH Program as well as parent and student education on issues affecting adolescents and their families.
• Articulate and exemplify the unique Episcopal Identity of Porter-Gaud Episcopal Identity Statement
• Participate actively in the life of a local Anglican / Episcopal parish and (if ordained) in Diocesan and Deanery gatherings. 

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university (an advanced degree is an advantage, especially an MDiv).
• Evidence of ministry in the Anglican Tradition (e.g., The Episcopal Church or the Anglican Church of North America). 
• Experience of Ordained ministry in the Anglican Tradition is an advantage.

The successful candidate will have:

• Experience in a school, church, and/or camp setting, teaching and/or ministering to youth. 
• Ability to support the school’s diversity and inclusion efforts. The Middle School Chaplain will display a continuous commitment to developing the attitudes, knowledge, and skills (intercultural competence) to engage in appropriate and effective communication with students, colleagues, and families from diverse backgrounds and perspectives. We desire candidates who will contribute to the school’s efforts to continue creating a more inclusive and equitable community where all individuals can develop a sense of belonging.

Personal attributes:

• Articulate and embody a deep and abiding faith in Jesus Christ. 
• Minister pastorally and effectively to a wide variety of individuals, including students, parents, faculty, and staff of diverse religious and nonreligious backgrounds.
• Display a genuine, caring, and approachable disposition.
• Demonstrate a passion for working with young people, especially Middle School students.
• Possess strong oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively within an academic institution.

Reporting:

• As a member of the Chaplaincy team, the Middle School Chaplain reports directly to the Head Chaplain. As a member of the Middle School Faculty, the Middle School Chaplain also reports directly to the Head of the Middle School. 

Salary: Commensurate with experience.

Porter-Gaud is a Christian community that seeks to love and serve faculty, staff, students, and families of all faith backgrounds. Therefore, all Porter-Gaud employees will honor the God-given dignity of each member of our community. They will display a continuous commitment to developing the attitudes, knowledge, and skills to engage in appropriate and effective communication with students, colleagues, and families from diverse backgrounds and perspectives. We desire candidates who will contribute to the school's efforts to continue creating a more inclusive and equitable community where all individuals can develop a sense of belonging.

Porter-Gaud School is committed to welcoming and supporting a diverse faculty and staff. The School welcomes applicants from all backgrounds as the School believes that this best serves our students. In accordance with law, Porter-Gaud School is an equal opportunity employer and hires without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, national origin, or disability.

Porter-Gaud School is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our students.  We hold our employees to the highest possible standards.  All employees are subject to extensive background check screenings and must sign our code of conduct.  We strive to monitor employees while interacting with students.  We take any inappropriate interactions between students and employees seriously and are committed to mandatory reporting standards as required by law.  We will fully cooperate with authorities in any allegation or case of abuse.

About Porter-Gaud School

Porter-Gaud School is a 1-12 co-ed independent school in Charleston, SC. We are committed to creating an inclusive and equitable community in which all individuals can contribute to school life and develop a sense of belonging.

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