Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community, Inc. - Independent Living Chaplain chez Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community, Inc.

Commitment To Inclusive Excellence

At VMRC, we identify a 'cultural fit' as a community member demonstrating our shared values and commitment to fostering an inclusive, purpose-driven workplace. We seek candidates who align with our service, justice, peacebuilding, and stewardship values while bringing diverse perspectives that enrich our collective work.

We assess candidates through structured, bias-conscious interview questions that explore how you have lived these values in your professional and personal experiences.

Who is VMRC?

VMRC is a Christ-centered, nonprofit continuing care retirement community offering independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing, and memory care for older adults. It also provides wellness programs, educational opportunities, and arts and cultural activities for residents and the wider community.

Position Summary:

Independent Living Chaplain

$29.96 - $40.45

This position is responsible for providing pastoral care for VMRC residents with primary assignment to residents in Independent Living. In collaboration with the Administrative and Transitional Care Chaplain, this position is responsible for the planning and leadership of worship services on Sunday mornings, Sunday vespers services, special services and other spiritual/emotional wellness programming needs offered on campus.

Supports the Supportive Living Chaplain for Complete Living Care’s special services. Serves as a back up for other pastoral care team members. Helps discover spiritual ministry gifts of residents, staff and the wider community and plans for their use to enrich the spiritual life of VMRC. Serves as a team member of the Wellness and Enrichment service line and supports this team as needed. Engages regularly with Independent Living Leadership team to become aware of and respond to resident needs.

Essential Requirements

Faith and Lifestyle Modeling: Models a Christian lifestyle expressing a dynamic personal relationship with Jesus Christ; affirmed by congregation/denomination for gifts in pastoral roles (ordained, licensed, or qualified).

Education and Training: Theological education equivalent to 3 years of seminary study; preferred additional training in behavioral health/counseling and clinical pastoral education.

Experience Requirements: Minimum of 3 years in pastoral care, counseling, prayer, teaching, preaching, worship leading, and administration; demonstrates a passion for working with senior adults.

Personal Attributes: Self-motivated with a pleasant personality, creativity, good communication and listening skills; command of written and spoken English.

Technical Skills: Computer experience with proficiency in Word, Excel, and Outlook.

Collaboration and Independence: able to work independently with minimal supervision.

A. Essential Functions

1. Pastoral Care in Independent Living: Provides one-on-one visitations and spiritual support to residents during transitions, weakness, or end-of-life; collaborates with resident services managers to identify needs; assists with hospital/transitional care visits; supports family members and primary pastoral connections; maintains campus visibility for informal contacts and attends functions.

2. Sunday Worship Coordination: Collaborates with Administrative and Transitional Care Chaplain to plan, lead, and evaluate Sunday morning services; participates in worship leading, preaching, or song leading as gifted; recruits preachers, song leaders, and special music via maintained resource lists.

3. Vespers and Special Services: Coordinates and leads planning for Sunday vespers, including program confirmation, calendar maintenance, and communication to venues; shares staffing with Chaplain; collaborates on special all-campus services like Faith Sharing; shares Elder Exchange staffing responsibilities.

4. Memorial and Grief Support: Participates in memorial services as requested; contacts families of deceased residents with sympathy, plans/coordinates VMRC memorials (setup, music, volunteers, publicity), and attends viewings/funerals; leads monthly Grief Support Group and other support groups in Independent Living.

5. Bible Studies and Committee Engagement: Meets with residential planning committees to review Bible studies and address concerns; occasionally leads Bible studies across campus; assists with pastoral needs in Supportive Living as needed.

6. Intern Mentoring and Supervision: Provides coordination and mentoring for Eastern Mennonite Seminary Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) interns; supervises interns from Eastern Mennonite University as necessary.

7. Team Collaboration and Reporting: Meets regularly with Pastoral Care Team for support, coordination, and issue resolution; participates in Wellness and Enrichment meetings (twice/month) and monthly meetings with VP; provides VP with data reports on Pastoral Care Department work.

B. Personal and Professional Development

1. Prepares an annual action plan with measurable and time-limited goals to assess performance.

2. Assumes responsibility for and participates in staff development (professional growth) and training to remain knowledgeable of market and industry trends, competitors, and best practices for non-profit CCRCs.

a. Participates in VMRC-required education.

b. Attend professional educational events and association meetings related to areas of responsibility as determined by the supervisor and/or a minimum of one per year.

C. Leadership

Builds Effective Relationships: Makes people feel valued and essential to organizational success through positive recognition, personal care, encouragement of growth and development, and effective management of personal emotions.

Grows and Develops the Team: Motivates the team effectively, earns trust, proactively communicates essential information, sets clear expectations for organizational goals, and provides performance feedback for accountability.

Performance: Sets and achieves personal performance goals with accountability; demonstrates passion, enthusiasm, high energy levels (commitment, drive, initiative, tenacity, persistence); focuses on residents' well-being and quality of life; actively embodies the organization's mission, vision, and values.

Leads Change: Embraces risks and experimentation as an agent of change; open to innovative solutions for old problems; welcomes diverse viewpoints; encourages creativity and innovation.

D. General

Policy and Confidentiality Compliance: Conscientiously adheres to all VMRC and departmental policies/guidelines; maintains confidentiality of resident care and protected health information, reporting any known or suspected unauthorized disclosures to a supervisor or designee.

Resident Engagement: Actively engages residents in a meaningful, positive, and compassionate manner, fostering an environment of resident-centered respect and appreciation.

Professional Relationships: Handles responsibilities while maintaining positive, professional, and collaborative working relationships with residents, families, administration, peers, and coworkers.

Safety Practices: Uses correct body mechanics to prevent injuries to self, residents, and other staff; follows emergency and evacuation procedures.

Professional Development: Assumes responsibility for staff development, professional growth, and continuing education to keep skills and required certifications up-to-date; attends all required in-services and department staff meetings.

Technical Skills and Additional Duties: Demonstrates necessary computer skills for job tasks/responsibilities; performs other duties as assigned by supervisor.

A. Physical Demands

An employee must meet the physical demands described here to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear normal and soft tones. This position is active and requires frequent standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, sitting, crouching, grasping, and reaching above the head. The employee must occasionally lift or move objects weighing 25 pounds and push/pull up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Required to work extended periods of time at a video display terminal.

Service line expectations define emergency requirements and may differ based on the nature of the emergency.

B. Work Environment

The typical work environment is inside; however, occasionally, outside work will be required, which could result in marked temperature changes. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to dust, fumes, odors, and airborne particles in a nursing care setting, with limited exposure to biological and chemical hazards and mechanical equipment.

C. Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This position operates in an office setting, in resident apartments, and in worship venues. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets.

D. Supervisor Responsibility

This position does not have supervisory responsibilities or the authority to determine who can access confidential information. However, it does have leadership responsibilities for pastoral care oversight.

E. Access to Confidential Information

This position has access to limited patient/resident medical records and no access to staff personnel records.

BENEFITS:

Why Join VMRC? We’re dropping benefits that hit all the right spots—starting day one for benefit-eligible team members! Work 60+ hours per pay period (every 2 weeks) to unlock the full package, or 40–59 hours for most perks (except medical).

Are you thinking about joining us? Here’s what we’re bringing to the table:

Medical insurance with prescription coverage: (30+ hours/week), plus dental and vision plans to keep you looking and feeling fresh.

Future-Proof Your Finances: 403(b) retirement plan with up to 5% company match after one year—stacking wealth for your next chapter.

PTO That is awesome: Full-timers rack up over 230 hours of Personal Time Off in year one, with cash-out options for that extra flex.

Pre-K Subsidy: Pending eligibility, you could qualify for a subsidy from VMRC to offset pre-kindergarten (pre-K) expenses.

On-Demand Pay: Access to Earned Wages BEFORE scheduled payday because life happens

Company-paid Short-Term Disability for full-time crew, plus optional Long-Term Disability for added peace of mind.

Life Insurance, Locked In: Free company-paid life insurance, with supplemental options to level up your coverage.

Flex Spending, Made Easy: Flexible Spending Account with a company contribution to help you save smart.

Wellness Opportunities: Free or discounted membership to our on-site Wellness Center—because self-care is real.

Level Up Your Learning: Tuition reimbursement and scholarships to keep your career moving forward.

Foodie Deals: Employee meal discounts to fuel your hustle without breaking the bank.

Good Vibes Only: Our Healthy You program and RARE (Recognizing, Assisting, and Rewarding Employees) committee keep the energy high with shout-outs and rewards.

Mental Health Matters: Free Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to support you through life’s ups and downs.

Verizon Discount: Score a 19% discount on your Verizon plan—stay connected for less.

Cash In on Your Network: Referral bonuses for bringing your friends and family to the team.

Loan Forgiveness, Super Shift diffs, and signing Bonuses: Select roles offer financial perks to kickstart your career with a bang.

Tickets at Work: Snag deals at over 1,000 vendors, including dining, concerts, car rentals, and more.

Local Perks: Enjoy 10% off at local spots to make every day sweeter.

If you want to make a real difference, this is your moment. Bring your passion, personality, and drive to create extraordinary dining experiences. Apply now and let’s cook up something amazing together!