Religious Leader (Sheriff)

Shelby County TN; Memphis (TN); On-site; USD 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

Shelby County is seeking a Chaplain to provide spiritual guidance and religious services to inmates within the jail environment. The role includes counseling, worship scheduling, clergy visits, and collaboration with volunteers to ensure sound religious practices.

The candidate must meet the ministry experience and education requirements and be capable of handling sensitive communications, emergency notifications, and family interactions. Background checks are required.

Qualifications

• Eight (8) years of ministerial experience with certification by a recognized ecclesiastical body; proof of denominational endorsement at the time of employment.
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and a theological degree from an approved school of divinity.
• An equivalent combination of related education and/or experience.
• PROOF OF EDUCATION; TRAINING; AND/OR EXPERIENCE IS REQUIRED.

Responsibilities

• Provides for the spiritual health and wellness of inmates.
• Conducts religious/worship services on a regular basis, particularly on religious holidays.
• Upholds the constitutional rights of inmates regarding religious services and activities.
• Serves as liaison between the religious community and the division; monitors religious services conducted by volunteers for adherence to rules and sound practices.
• Assists in the training for religious volunteers.
• Provides comprehensive chaplaincy services to inmates; counseling, scheduling worship services, religious studies and clergy visits, distributing literature and other pastoral functions.
• Facilitates family and inmate communication on critical life issues.
• Provides emergency and death notifications among inmates and their families.
• Encourages and counsels inmates and jail division staff.
• Submits weekly/monthly reports of activities conducted.
• Represents the division at assigned functions in-house and in the community.
• Maintains computerized records of all inmate contacts.

Skills

Spiritual counseling

Building trust

Help others

Religious activities

Education

Bachelor's degree + theological degree

Equivalent education/experience

Job description

Position Summary

Works under administrative supervision to provide spiritual guidance to individuals and groups.

Pay Grade

Pay Grade: 45

Salary Commensurate with Experience and Education

Minimum Qualifications

• Eight (8) years of ministerial experience and certification by a recognized ecclesiastical body with proof of denominational endorsement at the time of employment; consisting of two (2) years of pastoral work; OR
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and a theological degree from an approved school of divinity; OR
• An equivalent combination of related education and/or experience.

PROOF OF EDUCATION; TRAINING; AND/OR EXPERIENCE IS REQUIRED.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides for the spiritual health and wellness of inmates.
• Conducts religious / worship services on a regular basis particularly on religious holidays.
• Ensures the constitutional rights of inmates are upheld regarding religious services and activities.
• Serves as liaison between the religious community and the division and monitor religious services conducted by volunteers for adherence to institutional rules and regulations and sound religious practices.
• Assists in the training for religious volunteers
• Provides comprehensive chaplaincy services to inmates; counseling, conducting/ scheduling worship services, religious studies and arranging clergy visits, distributing literature and performing other pastoral and ministerial functions as appropriate.
• Facilitates family and inmate communication on variety of critical life issues.
• Provides emergency and death notifications among inmates and their families
• Encourages and counsel inmates and jail division staff
• Submits weekly/monthly reports of activities conducted
• Represents the division at assigned special functions in-house and in the community.
• Maintains computerized records of all inmate contacts.
• Performs other related duties as required.

KSAs

• Thorough knowledge of spiritual counseling techniques
• Ability to gain confidence of individuals
• Ability to help others.
• Thorough knowledge of religious activities.

Special Requirements

• Must be available for shift and weekend work as required.
• Must be able to work in a jail/detention environment.
• Must pass a criminal background check.

Disclaimer

This position is subject to a background check for any convictions that have a substantial relationship to potential job duties. Only convictions that are substantially related to potential job duties will be considered and will not automatically disqualify the candidate.

Shelby County Resident Disclaimer

All employees hired after September 1, 1986, must be residents of Shelby County and shall continue to reside in the County as a condition of their employment. The residency requirement shall not apply to certain public safety/civil service employees. This means exemption from this policy is in effect for the following departments and positions: (1) Sheriff Deputy Patrol Officers, Deputy Jailers and Dispatchers, employed by the Sheriff Department, (2) Correction Officers employed by the Division of Corrections, (3) Firefighters, Paramedics and Dispatchers employed by the Shelby County Fire Department. The residency exemption for public safety/civil service employees does not include Appointed positions with Sheriff's Office, Division of Corrections or the Fire Department.