Regional Port Chaplain; West Coast Scotland

Position: Regional Port Chaplain (West Coast Scotland)
Location: Scotland

Salary: c £31,500 pa.
Hours of work:
Between 24 to 40 hours (with paid 1 hour lunch break). This post is offered on a part-time to full-time basis, equivalent to 3–5 days per week.

Location:

Ports and harbours throughout West Coast of Scotland, including, but not limited to Argyll & the Isles, Mallaig, Oban, Fort William, as well as some working from home.
Leave arrangements: 28 days per annum FTE plus bank and statutory holidays.
Pension:
Stella Maris operates a pension scheme (up to 6% matching contributions). Full details, and terms and conditions of employment will be issued if an offer of employment is made.
Right to Work in the UK:
Applicants must already have the legal right to live and work in the United Kingdom at the time of application. The organisation is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this role.
Pre-employment Checks:
Appointment will be subject to satisfactory references and an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, and/ or Scottish equivalent.
Closing date for applications: 25 October 2026
About Stella Maris
Stella Maris is the largest ship-visiting network in the world, supporting seafarers, fishers, and their families. For more than 100 years, our network of chaplains and volunteers has been a trusted presence in ports, offering practical, pastoral and spiritual support to those who work ut the Job
Reporting to the Senior Area Port Chaplain for Scotland and Northern Ireland, the Regional Port Chaplain for West Coast of Scotland you will promote the vision, mission and values of Stella Maris in caring for all seafarers and fishers by providing them practical, pastoral and spiritual support. You will recruit, train and support Stella Maris staff and volunteers for the port and will maintain good relations with local parishes and the local diocese.

You will work ecumenically with members of other Christian maritime societies with whom Stella Maris works.
We are looking for a confident candidate with experience in pastoral care, chaplaincy, community outreach, welfare services, or mission work and experience in managing volunteers and building relationships with multiple stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities
You will be expected:
 
* To meet the welfare and pastoral needs of all seafarers and fishers equally according to their needs and wishes. To be an advocate on their behalf, upholding the dignity of each. Through regular and frequent ship visiting, to understand the working and living conditions of the seafarer and fishers and be able to work for justice and for the well-being of all crew members without distinction.
 
* To address the communication needs of seafarers, providing transport, news, and access to telephone and internet facilities.
 
* To address the welfare needs of seafarers and fishers, including support with money transfers, hospitality, and crisis support, e.g. abandonment, injury and death, detainment, bereavement, advice and access to medical care.
 
* To meet the ecclesial, spiritual, and sacramental needs of Catholic seafarers and fishers; to facilitate the religious and spiritual needs of others and to be a pastor to all, sharing one’s faith as appropriate.
 
* To participate in SM conferences, ongoing formation and other professional courses as required.
 
* To support seafarer centre functioning.
 
* To recruit, train, develop and retain a SM ship visiting volunteering team.
 
* To represent SM on the local Port Welfare Committee(s), to include attending such meetings and submitting reports.
 
* To liaise and maintain good working relationships with all port stakeholders, including the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, the International Transport Workers’ Federation, port health, harbour masters, dockers, security, and shipping agents.
 
* To…