Chaplain

State-of-West-Virgini; West Virginia; On-site; USD 42,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

State of West Virginia is seeking a Chaplain to direct and coordinate a range of religious services for inmates, staff, and volunteers, ensuring security and orderly operations.

The role requires crisis counseling, referrals, and collaboration with community resources to support all faiths; ordination certification is required.

Qualifications

• Degree in religious education, divinity, pastoral counseling or closely related field.
• Alternatively, high school diploma plus five years experience in pastoral counseling or religious ministry.
• Ordination or ecclesiastical commission certification required.
• High school diploma plus four years experience may substitute for training.

Responsibilities

• Direct and coordinate a variety of religious services and activities.
• Minister to inmates and staff in accordance with facility procedures.
• Arrange approved religious volunteers to visit inmates in special housing.
• Work with community resources to facilitate programming for all faiths.
• Provide crisis/grief counseling and referrals.
• Maintain appropriate records and perform related duties.

Skills

Crisis counseling

Religious leadership

Interpersonal skills

Education

Degree in religious education/divinity/pastoral counseling

Theological seminary/ATSO accredited program

Job description

The Chaplain position will direct and coordinate a variety of religious services and activities, providing the opportunity for members of the inmate population to pursue individual religious beliefs and practices consistent with the maintenance of security and good order. Ministers to inmates and staff in accordance with facility procedures and may also arrange to have approved religious volunteers escorted to visit inmates in special housing. This position works closely with community resources in order to facilitate programming for all faiths. Knowledge of applicable laws and regulations, especially the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, is critical. This position requires the ability to provide crisis/grief counseling and provide appropriate referrals. The Chaplain performs various corrections related duties and maintains appropriate records. Performs related duties as assigned.

TRAINING:

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 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.

Graduation from a standard high school, or the equivalent, plus four (4) years' experience in pastoral counseling and/or religious ministry may substitute for the above training requirement.