Chaplain

State-of-West-Virgini; West Virginia; On-site; USD 32,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

State of West Virginia is seeking a compassionate Chaplain to lead religious services, provide spiritual guidance, and support staff and residents in a correctional setting. You will direct a diverse calendar of services, collaborate with outside resources, and manage a team of volunteers while upholding legal and ethical standards under RLUIPA.

The ideal candidate has ordination, a degree in religious studies, pastoral counseling, or equivalent, and the ability to navigate a complex

Qualifications

• 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.
• Approved special agency substitution: Graduation from a standard high school, or the equivalent, plus 4 years experience in pastoral counseling and/ or religious ministry may substitute for the above training requirement.

Responsibilities

• Direct a diverse array of religious services, ensuring access for all individuals to pursue their faith with dignity and peace.
• Collaborate with outside resources, manage a team of volunteers, and support staff and those in care.
• Provide crisis counseling and facilitate sacred rites as part of stability and healing in the facility.

Skills

Pastoral counseling

Religious leadership

Crisis counseling

Volunteer management

Community liaison

Education

Religious education / divinity / pastoral counseling degree

Bible College accreditation

Theological seminary accreditation

Job description

Are you ready to be a source of hope and spiritual guidance? We are looking for a compassionate leader to join our team as a Chaplain, where you will play a vital role in fostering an environment of religious freedom and personal growth. In this deeply impactful position, you’ll direct a diverse array of religious services, ensuring every member of the population has the opportunity to pursue their faith with dignity and peace. You’ll be the bridge to the community—collaborating with outside resources, managing a dedicated team of volunteers, and serving as a critical support for both staff and those in our care. Beyond the chapel, your expertise in the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) will ensure our programs meet the highest legal and ethical standards. Whether you’re providing life‑changing crisis counseling or facilitating sacred rites, your presence will be the cornerstone of stability and healing. If you have the heart of a minister and the professional grit to navigate a complex environment,

• In accordance with SPB 3088 effective 10/7/23, $5000 will be added to the minimum starting rate of pay for all classifications within a Critical Vacancy Pay Supplemental Facility. Critical Vacancy Pay Facilities: Huttonsville Correctional Center and Jail, Mount Olive Correctional Complex and Jail, Western Regional Jail and Corrections Facility, Northern Correctional Facility (including Ohio County Correctional Center), Northern Regional Jail and Correctional Facility, Chick Buckbee Juvenile Center, Vicki Douglas Juvenile Center, Potomac Highlands Regional Jail and Correctional Facility, and Eastern Regional Jail and Corrections Facility (including Martinsburg Correctional Center) (SPB 3088)

• Employees in this classification shall receive an annual base building pay differential each fiscal year of $250 after completing one year of service.

• If an employee is hired into a Critical Vacancy Pay Facility (CVPF) and leaves the facility, the additional pay differential of $5000 shall be removed from their salary, unless transferring to another CVFP.

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.

APPROVED SPECIAL AGENCY SUBSTITION: Graduation from a standard high school, or the equivalent, plus 4 years experience in pastoral counseling and/ or religious ministry may substitute for the above training requirement.

PG: 9 $31,533 - $53,916

Market Rate: $48,122

Minimum Special Hiring Rate: $36,533