Kanawha United Presbyterian Church
Church Organist – Part Time
Position Description
The Organist is a part-time position responsible to the pastor. The position carries out the specific duties listed below as well as other duties assigned by the Pastor. The Organist is a part-time member of the staff of Kanawha United Presbyterian Church and is a contributing part of the Christian community of lay and ordained church workers.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities of a Church Organist – Part Time
I . Provide organ music at all traditional Sunday worship services, mid-week worship occasions, and all special celebrations of worship where the organ is the primary instrument used.
- Accompany vocalists and instrumentalists.
- Select hymns appropriate in conjunction with the pastor and music director which are reflective of the liturgical season and designated Scripture texts.
- Perform special music needs for weddings, funerals, and other services of worship. This will include meeting with and advising bride/groom in wedding planning, consulting the family of the deceased in funeral preparations, and to play for funerals and weddings receiving the following fees: Funerals $100.00 Weddings $125.00 per wedding $50.00 per rehearsal $25.00 per rehearsal with soloist.
- Provide for qualified substitutes for all absences.
- Choose and purchase organ music within the approved budgetary parameters.
- Oversee the tuning and maintenance of all musical instruments of the church within the approved budget and provide regular reports specifying maintenance needs to the Worship Committee.
- Submit budget requests each fall as part of the budgetary process of the Session.
- Schedule and coordinate performances of outside musicians
- Perform other duties from time to time as may be directed by the Pastor or Session.
Working Conditions
- The Organist shall rehearse sufficiently to maintain a high quality of music at our organ (Reiger-Kloss)
- Performance and pay will be reviewed after the first six months of employment, and on an annual basis thereafter (12 months from hire date; 24 months; etc.).
- Cooperate with all staff and musicians of the congregation so that music ministry is enhanced within the life of the church.
- The Organist shall seek professional relationships with other church musicians and keep abreast of developments in worship and liturgy through associations, continuing education, and professional church publications.
- The Organist shall have permission to conduct private organ/piano lessons and make the organ/piano available to qualified students.
- Be provided two weeks of paid vacation time per year at a time agreed to by the pastor but not during Christmas or Easter seasonal services.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- A minimum of a bachelor of Music degree and sufficient keyboard ability to sight read hymns, liturgy, and easy anthem accompaniments on both organ and piano.
- Capable of expertly playing a Reiger-Klauss Organ and piano.
- Demonstrate knowledge of Presbyterian worship tradition and a theological understanding of the church sufficient to appropriately select music and texts for traditional worship.
- Has excellent interpersonal and leadership skills
- Has knowledge of and supports the church’s mission statement, beliefs, and commitment.
- A pre-employment background check is required.
Forms to be completed upon employment: Agreement to having read Personnel Policy Manual; Medical Release/contact, Ethics Statement, and when available to be trained with Safe Sanctuaries.
Hours/Wage Rate Hours per week: 10 – 15 (with flexibility in setting regular hours) Starting pay is between $13,000 and $16,000 per year based on education and experience. Should an applicant possess the qualifications for Church Music Director and Organist the two positions can be joined creating a 20 – 25 hours responsibility and an upper level of pay $27,000 per year.
Benefits: FICA will be paid. There are no other benefits.
To apply for this position, please email your resume to –
or mail to
KUPC
1009 Virginia St. East
Charleston, WV 25301
KUPC is an equal opportunity employer