In online covens here, the positions are (high) priestess, (high) priest, council, or member. Each of these positions can have different requirements depending on the coven, and each of them does have different permissions.
A member can post in a coven and can delete their posts.
A council can post in a coven, can delete their posts and the posts of others, and can add articles and spells to the coven spellbook.
A (high) priestess or priest can post in a coven, can delete their posts and the posts of others, can add articles and spells to the coven spellbook, can edit articles and spells in the coven spellbook, can accept or reject members into the coven, can promote, demote, or remove members, and can change the front page information and coven images (among a few other things).
That's the basic differences between the positions. Depending on the coven the (hig) priestess or (high) priest may be the main leader or the leadership may be shared equally. The two may work together as a unit or work as separate parts as a whole. They can require certain things of their members or their council and if the requirements are not met they can remove their members or demote their council. They essentially head the coven and decide where/how it goes. A few covens work as a democracy, with the members voting on what happens within the coven per the request of the leadership and there are other democratic covens that are entirely run by voting and have the two most responsible, knowledgeable, and active people.
A (high) priestess need not be female, nor does a (high) priest need to be male.
No, that is not the way one becomes High Priest or High Priestess in a real coven as opposed on an on-line coven. Understand though that each coven may well have a different way of approaching how they choose who is to be their HP or HPS.
In the two Traditions in which I trained one had to be a 3rd Degree initiate of the coven before you were permitted to form a coven of your own in which you would be either HP or HPS. Reaching 3rd Degree took 5-7 years of training, studying, and work; and a demonstrated ability to do all the things required of the position. It's not just about leading a monthly ritual. The HP and HPS are also expected to teach coven students, deal with any issues regarding group dynamics, counsel those having spiritual problems, and do community work. Trust me, the position of HP and HPS takes lots of hours of your time and a great deal of hard work if you are going to have a successful group.
To clarify something here as well. Each Wiccan is either a Priest or a High Priestess. Being HP or HPS is a job title meaning that you are running a group. As one is not part of a group as a solitary it would be incorrect to claim to be a HP or HPS.
Do you mean that each Wiccan is a Priest or Priestess, with setting the titles High Priest and High Priestess to mean those who are overseeing the growth of those Priests and Priestesses under them?
In Wicca we are each our own Priest or Priestess, able to care for our own spiritual needs and interact directly without our Gods without the need for anyone to intercede for us.
