Religious Coordinator

State of Washington; Shelton (WA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote/telework/flexible schedules

Up to 25 paid vacations days a year

8 hours of paid sick leave per month

12 paid holidays a year

Generous retirement plan

Flex Spending Accounts

Dependent Care Assistance

Deferred Compensation

Job summary

State of Washington is seeking a Religious Coordinator/Chaplain at Washington Corrections Center in Shelton to lead all religious programs for incarcerated individuals. The role includes directing services, supervising volunteers, and coordinating faith-based activities while ensuring compliance with policies and federal/state laws.

The candidate will provide spiritual guidance, counseling, and collaboration with security staff, while developing budgets and ensuring respectful, inclusive

Qualifications

• Three years of experience as a recognized faith leader or religious leader.
• Ability to minister to the religious needs of incarcerated individuals of all beliefs.
• Ability to work independently with good judgment.
• Ability to work with diverse beliefs and backgrounds.

Responsibilities

• Direct and manage all religious services for the institution.
• Recruit, train and supervise religious volunteers and coordinate staff training on faith beliefs.
• Plan and organize faith-based activities and counseling for incarcerated individuals.
• Manage religious property and diets; ensure compliance with policies.

Skills

Faith leadership

Counseling

Independent work

Diversity sensitivity

Education

Graduate degree in Theology or related

Post-graduate faith leadership experience

Job description

Religious Coordinator - Chaplain

Department of Corrections - Prisons

Washington Corrections Center – Shelton, WA

Full Time - Permanent (In-person)

Note: This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies

The Washington State Department of Corrections (DOC) is seeking highly motivated and talented individual for the position of Religious Coordinator as Washington Corrections Center (WCC).

Washington Corrections Center is located 35 miles northwest of Olympia, the state capital. WCC is predominantly a Reception and Diagnostic Center, a close, medium-and long-term minimum custody facility. The facility has a primary responsibility to process, test, and classify all adult male incarcerated individuals sentenced to prison in Washington State.

The facility has seven living units, compromised of 5 close custody reception units, and 3 medium and long-term minimum units. WCC houses approximately 1,800 incarcerated individuals. There are approximately 500 incarcerated individuals screened and processed each month. WCC also serves as a major transportation hub responsible for the transfer of incarcerated individuals to and from facilities throughout the state.

The Religious Coordinator (Chaplain) manages the religious services program at the Washington Corrections Center (WCC), providing direct oversight of all religious programs, services, and contracted staff to ensure equal representation and support for all denominations and beliefs. Operating as part of the institutional case management team, the Chaplain conducts religious services, provides moral instruction to Incarcerated Individuals (I/Is) within their respective faith groups, and addresses the spiritual requirements of the entire incarcerated community. Beyond spiritual guidance, this position interviews and counsels I/Is regarding social and family problems, extending direct assistance to their families.

Administratively, the Chaplain assists with policy development, implements DOC policies, and defines operational memorandum (OM) practices for the institution's spiritual programs. Key operational duties include recruiting and evaluating all religious volunteers, as well as coordinating staff training on diverse faith beliefs, practices, and religious property issues. Additionally, the Chaplain manages the disbursement of religious property and ensures strict institutional compliance with Federal and State statutes, DOC Policy 560.200 (Religious Programs), DOC Policy 590.200 (Marriage/Domestic Partnership), and DOC Policy 560.100 (Privileged Communication).

Direct and manage all religious services for the institution

• Maintain knowledge of the Federal/State laws and departmental policies governing the delivery of religious programs for the incarcerated individuals.
• Perform, provide and/or direct the performance/delivery of religious services.
• Schedule, supervise, prepare and conduct religious services; administers sacraments and other rites; conducts special services on religious holidays and/or special occasions.
• Attend job related training as required.
• Provides counsel to incarcerated individuals of all religious faiths.
• Ensures individual and group compliance with DOC Religious Property matrix and policy; process religious property working collaboratively with custody staff.
• Assist with the development and management of a religious program budget for the institution.
• Implements policies and procedures relating to religious programs.

Manage and coordinate contractors and/or volunteers with religious programs

• Recruit, train and supervise religious volunteers that are qualified to provide religious services. Periodically audit performance, maintain volunteer files and be able to provide evaluations.
• Provide quarterly reports documenting religious volunteer involvement and incarcerated individual attendance at religious services/programs.
• Work with CPPC in administering programs, develop and implement volunteer recruitment programs to involve community volunteers.
• Establish connection with religious leaders of various churches, mosques, temples and other areas of worship; attend Religious Advisory Council (RAC) meetings as scheduled.

Manage the planning and organization of faith-based activities

• Perform incarcerated individual counseling that assists with spiritual direction, grief, marriage, relationships, preparation for marriage, goal setting and other counseling as needed.
• Coordinate incarcerated individual marriages. Maintain non-denominational standing.
• Complete religious events packets as required by supervisor expectations.
• Supervise, evaluate and direct the work of incarcerated individuals employed to work in the religious programs areas. Submit payroll for all assigned positions in a timely manner.
• Perform memorial services as necessary.

Manage religious property and diets

• Respond to and coordinate with the grievance specialist on matters of religious dispute about diets, property and programs/services that are religious in nature.
• Maintain visibility and availability with the incarcerated individuals by visiting all areas of the prison to include common areas and living units.
• Present a weekly new arrival orientation regarding job-related services available to incarcerated population.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Three years of experience as a recognized faith leader, priest or religious leader such as Rabbi, Imam, Bishop or Shaman of a nationally recognized faith.
• Ability to minister to and understand the religious needs of incarcerated individuals of all religious/spiritual beliefs.
• Ability to work independently using good judgement.
• Ability to work with individuals who have diverse beliefs and backgrounds, reserving personal opinions and beliefs.

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

• A graduate degree in Theology, Sacred Studies, Ministry, Religious Studies, Comparative Religions, Philosophy of Religion or equivalent from an accredited graduate school or university.
• Three years of post-graduate experience as a recognized faith leader, priest, minister, religious leader, rabbi, imam, bishop, shaman or equivalent.
• Be in good standing with and currently recognized and endorsed for correctional faith, religious or spiritual work with a recognized religious body.

Vision:

Working together for safer communities.

Mission:

Improving public safety by positively changing lives.

Our Commitment:

To operate a safe and humane corrections system and partner with others to transform lives for a better Washington.

Our Core Values

1. Cultivate an environment of integrity and trust: Corrections values partnership and trust. We foster openness and support courageous conversations. We are committed to doing what we say we are going to do by being accountable and taking personal ownership in our actions.
2. Respectful and inclusive interactions: Corrections appreciates and values individuals by promoting an inclusive and diverse environment, which encourages safety. We respect, value, and listen to the thoughts, feelings, and perspectives of our stakeholders and consider the impact on those we serve as well as each other.
3. People's safety: Corrections believes in creating an environment that values physical, mental, and emotional security and well-being. We honor those who advance safety for all.
4. Positivity in words and actions: At Corrections, we assume positive intentions and believe there is a shared desire for the best outcome. We consistently demonstrate positive behavior and always put forth our best effort.
5. Supporting people's success: Corrections is committed to our community – understanding individuals, instilling hope, embracing change, and providing opportunities.

DOC is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, honorably discharged veteran, veteran status, genetic information, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

• This recruitment may be utilized to fill more than one position.
• Please include a minimum of three (3) professional references with your application. A professional reference is defined as an individual who has been paid to supervise your work and can attest to your work performance, technical skills, and job competencies. If you do not have any or sufficient professional references, please include non-related professionals, such as educators or other professional associates. Please note: Phone number AND email address are required for all professional references.
• A background check including criminal record history will be conducted prior to a new hire. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the position.
• Employees may work directly with or near incarcerated individuals in a potentially hazardous setting. Please consider this when deciding whether to apply.
• We are committed to maintaining a drug and alcohol-free work environment, and our employees are expected to comply with all state and federal laws. A pre-employment drug test may be administered as part of the selection process, and applicants who test positive for any controlled substances, will be disqualified from consideration.
• Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) is an aerosol pepper spray made available as a means of self-defense and/or de-escalation. Applicants with sensitivities or allergies are encouraged to ask about the level of exposure they could expect in this position.
• Animal care projects are a common component of most Washington State prisons, including dog and cat programs. Applicants with animal sensitivities or allergies are encouraged to ask about the level of exposure they could expect in this position.
• Tuberculosis (TB) is a priority health issue for DOC employees. The successful candidate may be required to provide valid proof of a baseline TB skin test within 60 days from the date of hire. When positive tests result, further information, testing and treatment will also be required. Employment is not contingent upon test results.
• Foreign equivalent degrees awarded outside the United States must have a credential evaluation report attached to your application. You may request the required evaluation/documentation from wes.org and aice-eval.org. Until this documentation is provided, you will not be selected to move forward in the hiring process.
• DOC complies with the employment eligibility verification requirements for the federal employment eligibility verification form I-9. The selected candidate must be able to provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the United States consistent with the requirements of that form. https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents
• DOC does not use E-Verify; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM-Optional Practice Training (OPT). For information, please visit www.uscis.gov.

What We Offer:

As an employee of the Department of Corrections, your work-life integration is a priority. Washington State employees are offered one of the most inclusive and competitive benefits packages in the nation. Besides comprehensive family insurance for medical, dental, and vision, these perks also may include:

• Remote/telework/flexible schedules (depending on position)
• Up to 25 paid vacations days a year
• 8 hours of paid sick leave per month
• 12 paid holidays a year
• Generous retirement plan
• Flex Spending Accounts
• Dependent Care Assistance
• Deferred Compensation and so much more!

PERS:

State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems web site.

OR

PSERS:

Many DOC jobs are covered by the Public Safety Employees' Retirement System (PSERS). If someone moves from a Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) eligible position to a PSERS eligible position, they actually retire under two different systems/plans. For more information, please contact the Department of Retirement System at: 1-800-547-6657.

For questions about this recruitment, or to request reasonable accommodation in the application process, please email [e-mail] or call us at 360-427-4617. For TTY service, please call the Washington Relay Service at 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.