Chaplain (Part Time Sheriff's Office)

Stanislaus-County-; California (MO); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

401a retirement plan

Job summary

The Chaplain will work in the Adult Detention Division, overseeing chaplain volunteers, coordinating religious services, and supporting inmates with spiritual resources. Applicants must have ministerial credentials or 30 college units in religious studies, plus experience in ministerial settings; Spanish ability is desirable.

The role requires flexibility for evenings, weekends, and holidays in a high-demand facility.

Qualifications

• One year of volunteer or working ministerial experience.
• Current valid Ministerial Credential or 30 college units in religious studies or related field.
• Proof of education/credentials required at application time.

Responsibilities

• Receive, process, and respond to inmate requests for religious materials or spiritual assistance.
• Oversee chaplain volunteers and provide training and coordination.
• Liaise with outside religious/community organizations and supervise chaplain activities.
• Interview and screen jail pass applicants and visit inmates as needed.
• Develop and maintain relationships with religious communities and resources.

Skills

Policy understanding

Hostile environment tolerance

Time management

Volunteer supervision

Multifaith coordination

Oral and written communication

Integrity and maturity

Education

Ministerial Credential

Religious studies coursework

Volunteer minister experience

Job description

TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE

Application Deadline: September 9, 2026, at 5 p.m.
Oral Examination: The week of September 28, 2026

To learn more about the Sheriff's Office, https://www.scsdonline.com/

THE POSITION

The incumbent will be assigned to the Adult Detention Division. The Adult Detention Division of the Sheriff's Department is comprised of the County Men's Jail, Public Safety Center, and two Minimum Housing Units. Under the general direction of the Programs Director, the Chaplain plans, coordinates, implements, and assists with the administration of the chaplaincy program, including oversight of chaplain volunteers. The Chaplain also deals directly with the general public, often in emotional situations, by providing information, explaining policies and procedures, and assisting volunteers. The Chaplain must be mature, emotionally stable and be able to work effectively in an environment that can be hostile, unpredictable, and occasionally unpleasant. The Adult Detention Facilities are open seven-days a week, twenty-four hours a day. The incumbent is expected to work the hours needed to fulfill the needs of the position, which may include evenings, weekends, and holidays.

• Receive, process, and respond to inmate requests for religious materials or spiritual assistance;
• Order and distribute bibles and other religious/spiritual books and paraphernalia;
• Provide general oversight, coordination, and training of all chaplain volunteers;
• Act as liaison with outside religious and community organizations, such, but not limited to, chaplain volunteers, and Muslim, Catholic, Jewish, Hindi, Sikh, Christian, Mormon, and Evangelical Ministerial communities;
• Communicate, coordinate, and cooperate with the Operations Sergeants and Sheriff personnel regarding chaplain volunteer activities and involvement in each detention facility;
• Interview and screen each religiously affiliated jail pass applicant;
• Visit individual inmates as requested or as deemed necessary;
• Develop and maintain relationships with religious community;
• Maintain knowledge of, and acts as a liaison between County and community resources;
• Procure published literature, and specific spiritually oriented material from independent sources to build an inventory to facilitate the availability for inmates and probationers; and
• Develop and enhance the Chaplaincy Program.

KNOWLEDGE

• General detention operations;
• General computer systems and operations;
• General budget and account knowledge; and
• Understanding of County and Community resources.

SKILLS/ABILITIES

• Read and understand policies, rules, instructions, laws and ordinances pertaining to Adult Detention activities;
• Work effectively in an environment that can be hostile, unpredictable, and occasionally unpleasant;
• Tolerate confined working spaces;
• Coordinate and supervise the daily activities of chaplain volunteers;
• Impartially coordinate religious and spiritual services;
• Possess strong organizational, administration, and time management abilities;
• Exercise initiative and independent judgment;
• Possess a high degree of maturity and integrity;
• Ability to work with a broad spectrum of faith backgrounds;
• Effective oral and written communication skills; and
• Relate positively to inmates, employees at all levels, community groups, and volunteers.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

• One (1) year of volunteer or working experience in a ministerial position; AND
• A current valid Ministerial Credential; OR
• Thirty (30) units of college coursework in religious studies or a related field.

Proof of education or credentials are required for verification purposes at the time of application. Applicants who are unable to submit proof must call 209-525-7044 to make other arrangements. Failure to submit proof will result in disqualification.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

In addition to the minimum qualifications, applicant screening will focus on the following desirable qualifications. Please list any of these qualifications you may have within the "Duties" section of the online application.

• Twelve (12) months experience in a religious/spiritual ministry setting; OR
• Ability to speak Spanish; OR
• One (1) year of experience working in an administrative leadership capacity for a religious/spiritual congregation (i.e. Pastor, Youth Leader, etc.)

GENERAL INFORMATION

CLASSIFICATION INFORMATION

The Job Task Analysis provides information detailing the physical and functional demands of the classification. For the complete job task analysis, visit the Risk Management website at http://www.stancounty.com/riskmgmt/ under the "Disability" tab.

Note: The eligible list generated from this recruitment may be used to fill future extra-help, part-time and full-time vacancies throughout Stanislaus County.

Incumbents may also be subject to overtime, standby, callback, weekend, holiday and shift assignments as identified in their MOU (Memorandum of Understanding).

Part-time extra-help is a provisional classification where permanent status may not be obtained. This position is subject to overtime, standby, shift, and callback assignments and will perform related duties as assigned. This position is non-benefited except for participation in a 401a program with Nationwide.

RECRUITMENT ACCOMMODATIONS

Arrangements may be made to accommodate disabilities and religious convictions. Applicants requiring testing accommodations are required to complete and submit the Testing Accommodations Request Form prior to the test administration date. Special arrangements for religious convictions should be included in the "Additional Information" section of the application form.

GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Pass County-paid pre-employment job-related background investigation.
• Perform job duties in a manner assuring a safe working environment for oneself and others.
• Maintain confidential information according to the legal standards and/or County regulations as required.
• Some positions may be required to possess and maintain a valid California Driver’s License and meet County insurability requirements.

APPLICATION AND/OR EXAMINATION APPEAL RIGHTS

Application and/or examination results may be appealed by applicants presenting facts alleging irregularity, fraud and/or error in application screening or in exam scoring. Appeals must be in writing and submitted to the Chief Executive Officer within seven (7) days after the examination results are emailed.

DISCLAIMER

Stanislaus County reserves the right to revise the examination plan described in this flyer to better meet the needs of County service. The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an express or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice. The information contained in the bulletin is information which sets forth a general summary of benefits for this respective position. This information is not legally binding. The benefits and other information regarding this position may be found in the Stanislaus County Code, the Stanislaus County Personnel Policies manual, or in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding(s), and such information prevails over information contained in this flyer. Questions regarding this bulletin may be directed to the Stanislaus County Chief Executive Office/Human Relations.