What are the responsibilities and job description for the Music Director position at Universalist Unitarian Church of Silver Spring?
Summary
The Unitarian Universalist Church of Silver Spring, a vibrant and down-to-earth 220 member liberal faith community, seeks a collaborative Music Director to lead our Music Program into a new chapter. In collaboration with our Senior Minister, worship team, and Music Committee, the Music Director will shape the musical life of our congregation by:
- Leading our adult choir
- Scheduling musicians for all Sundays of the year
- Supporting our church band, a cappella group, and ukulele group
- Engaging our children and youth musically in new and creative ways
- Partnering with our Senior Minister, other staff, and lay worship leaders to vision and develop opportunities for UUCSS to engage with our neighbors
Desired Skills and Qualities
We seek a skilled conductor who can honor and expand our congregation’s love of many different styles and genres of music, including but not limited to rock, pop, jazz, gospel, rap, folk, and classical. We seek an innovative visionary interested in building a music program that engages our neighbors (both geographical and online) in accessible, nurturing, and liberating ways. And as we live into our mission to “connect deeply, serve, and mobilize for our collective liberation,” we seek a professional who is committed to equity, inclusion, the dismantling of racism and other oppressions, and their own never-ending growth and learning.
The ideal candidate will have staff supervision skills, as well as experience directing music at a Unitarian Universalist congregation or the willingness to learn about our faith and its music traditions.
Qualifications
- Skilled in conducting choral and other ensembles
- Strong communication and collaboration skills
- Experience in leading and developing music programs
- Commitment to equity, inclusion, the dismantling of racism and other oppressions
- Experience supervising staff a plus
Additional Considerations
Any candidate must comply with the requirements of our Personnel Handbook and Safety Policies prior to active employment, including submitting to background checks. All staff are required to comply with health guidelines adopted by the Board of Trustees in accordance with federal, state, and local health guidance.
Compensation and Benefits
This is a 12 month, part-time position of either 20 or 25 hours per week, as desired by the candidate:
- 20 hours per week - salary range is $39,500-$42,000, commensurate with experience
- 25 hours per week - salary range is $48,000-$51,500, commensurate with experience.
Leave benefits include:
- At least one Sunday off per month (exact number dictated by weekly hours)
- Holiday leave (as specified in the Personnel Handbook)
- 4 weeks of vacation each year
- 2 weeks of study leave each year (Participation at the UUA’s General Assembly and AUUMM annual meeting are considered work time, study leave need not be used for these events)
- 2 weeks of sabbatical time accrued after each year served
Other benefits include:
- Health and dental insurance (employer pays 60% of monthly premiums for employees working half time)
- Life and long term disability insurance (employer pays 100% of premiums)
- Retirement
- Professional expenses
- Provided in the amount of 10% of salary
- Music Director is expected to use some professional expenses to maintain membership in the Association of Unitarian Universalist Music Ministers https://www.auumm.org/ and attend their annual meetings
To Apply
People with disabilities, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color plus), and LGBTQIA (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual plus) candidates are encouraged to apply. UUCSS is committed to developing a diverse and talented staff team.
Also, if you are interested in this position but aren’t sure if you meet all of the requirements, we encourage you to inquire and/or apply!
To submit your application, please email the following materials to: mdsearchteam@uucss.groups.io on or before Friday, March 7.
- One-page cover letter
- Resume
- One letter of recommendation
- One 2-3 minute video recording of you directing a choir, band, or other ensemble (live video preferred, time stamp indicated if part of a longer recording)
Job Type: Part-time
Pay: $39,500.00 - $51,500.00 per year
Expected hours: 20 – 25 per week
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
Work Location: In person
Salary : $39,500 - $42,000