Chaplain

About the role

The Chaplain position directs and coordinates a variety of religious services and activities, providing inmates the opportunity to pursue individual religious beliefs and practices consistent with the maintenance of security and good order. The role involves ministering to inmates and staff in accordance with facility procedures and arranging for approved religious volunteers to visit inmates in special housing. The Chaplain works closely with community resources to facilitate programming for all faiths, ensures compliance with applicable laws and regulations (notably the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act), provides crisis/grief counseling, makes appropriate referrals, performs corrections-related duties, and maintains necessary records.

Responsibilities

• Direct and coordinate religious services and activities for inmates.
• Minister to inmates and staff in accordance with facility procedures.
• Arrange for approved religious volunteers to visit inmates in special housing.
• Collaborate with community resources to facilitate programming for all faiths.
• Provide crisis and grief counseling and make appropriate referrals.
• Ensure compliance with laws and regulations, including the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act.
• Perform various corrections-related duties and maintain appropriate records.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a degree in religious education, divinity, pastoral counseling, or a closely related field; or
• Graduation from a Bible College accredited by The Association for Biblical Higher Education; or
• Graduation from a theological seminary accredited by the Association of Theological Schools.
• Substitution: Graduation from a standard high school plus five years of experience in pastoral counseling and/or religious ministry may substitute for the above training requirement.
• Special requirement: Certification of ordination or ecclesiastical commission by an endorsing body or denomination.
• Special agency substitution: Graduation from a standard high school (or equivalent) plus four years of experience in pastoral counseling and/or religious ministry may substitute for the training requirement.

All college, university, or vocational education, licensure, or certification must be verified by submitting an official transcript, license, or certificate.