Part Time Chaplain

Kentucky United Methodist Children's Homes; Owensboro (KY); On-site; USD 28,000 - 41,000; Part time

Job summary

Kentucky United Methodist Children's Homes seeks a Part-Time Shelter Chaplain to provide bilingual (English/Spanish) spiritual support to children in the shelter. The role conducts weekly spiritual groups across residential units and offers individual pastoral consultations as needed, aligning with ORR requirements and KYUMH values.

Responsibilities include creating age-appropriate spiritual programming, maintaining confidentiality, and collaborating with leadership to ensure services meet

Qualifications

• Requires bilingual English/Spanish communication with youth and staff.
• High school diploma or equivalent required; ordination or theological training required.
• Experience with vulnerable populations and background checks required.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate one spiritual enrichment group per week for each residential unit (three groups total per week).
• Provide individual spiritual support and pastoral guidance to youth on request.
• Foster an inclusive environment respecting diverse beliefs and cultural backgrounds.

Skills

Bilingual English/Spanish

Pastoral care

Group facilitation

Cultural humility

Trauma-informed care

Communication skills

Youth engagement

Professional boundaries

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Ordination / theological training

Bachelor’s degree (preferred)

Job description

Reports To: Director of Operations

Status: Part-time / 8-10 hours per week

Position Summary

The Part-Time Shelter Chaplain provides bilingual (English/Spanish) spiritual support and guidance to children residing at the Shelter in accordance with (ORR) requirements and KYUMH values. This position is responsible for facilitating age-appropriate, inclusive spiritual groups for youth and providing individual pastoral support upon request. The Chaplain fosters a respectful and welcoming environment that honors the diverse religious beliefs, traditions, and spiritual preferences of program participants. Through group engagement, individual conversations, encouragement, and compassionate presence, the Chaplain promotes emotional well-being, spiritual growth, and cultural sensitivity while supporting the overall mission and care provided within the shelter setting. The position works on a part-time basis and is expected to conduct weekly spiritual groups within each residential unit and be available for individual spiritual consultations as needed.

The Chaplain is expected to exercise discretion in handling sensitive information and maintain confidentiality in accordance with applicable laws, ethical standards, ORR requirements, and KYUMH policies and procedures.

Essential Functions

• Facilitate one spiritual enrichment group per week for each residential unit (three groups total per week).
• Provide individual spiritual support, counseling, and guidance to youth upon request.
• Foster an inclusive environment that respects and supports diverse religious beliefs, spiritual practices, and cultural backgrounds.
• Develop and implement age-appropriate spiritual programming that promotes hope, resilience, personal growth, and positive values.
• Serve as a supportive resource for youth experiencing adjustment challenges, grief, trauma, or other life stressors from a spiritual perspective.
• Collaborate with program leadership to ensure spiritual services are delivered in a manner consistent with ORR requirements, program policies, and youth rights.
• Assist youth in accessing faith-based resources, services, or religious accommodations consistent with their identified preferences and program guidelines.
• Maintain appropriate documentation of services provided, as required by program procedures.
• Maintain professional boundaries, confidentiality, and ethical standards at all times.
• Demonstrate cultural humility, trauma-informed care principles, and sensitivity to the unique experiences of refugee and immigrant youth.
• Complete required ORR and KYUMH trainings including but not limited to: Code of Conduct, Prevention of Sexual Assault (PSA), Mandatory Reporting, and Zero Tolerance.
• Complete weekly documentation related to spiritual group activities and maintain required records in accordance with program and ORR requirements.

Core Competencies

• Strong interpersonal, communication, and active listening skills
• Confidentiality
• Professional boundaries
• Empathy
• Respect for diverse faiths, traditions, spiritual beliefs, and cultural practices
• Cultural competence and cultural humility
• Trauma-informed care and sensitivity to the effects of trauma
• Compassionate and nonjudgmental approach
• Relationship-building and rapport development with youth
• Group facilitation and presentation skills
• Spiritual guidance and pastoral care
• Ethical decision-making and professional integrity
• Flexibility and adaptability
• Reliability and dependability
• Youth engagement and mentorship
• Understanding of child and adolescent development
• Ability to maintain a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment

Qualifications

Required :

• High school diploma or equivalent

• Ordination, ecclesiastical endorsement, ministry certification, or formal theological training.

• Fluency in both English and Spanish, with the ability to communicate effectively with youth and staff.
• Experience working with children, adolescents, or vulnerable populations.
• Ability to pass all required background checks

Preferred:

• Bachelor’s degree in theology, ministry, religious studies, social work, counseling, or a related field.
• Experience serving as a chaplain, youth minister, pastoral counselor, or faith-based program leader.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care and the impact of migration, displacement, and trauma on youth.
• Experience working with refugee, immigrant, or culturally diverse populations.

Additional Requirements

• Submit to federal andstatebackground and fingerprint checks.
• Submit topre-employmentand random drug screenings.
• Maintainrequiredtrainingsincluding CPR/First Aid.
• MaintainORR requiredvaccinations.