SENIOR CHAPLAIN - F/C

State of Florida; Ocala (FL); On-site; USD 38,000 - 51,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plans

Tuition-Free college courses

Paid time off

Job summary

The Florida Department of Corrections seeks a Senior Chaplain at Lowell Correctional Institution to lead chaplaincy services, oversee worship programs, and provide pastoral care to inmates, staff and families.

The role requires a bachelor's degree in theology or related field, ordination, and ministerial experience; duties include training staff, coordinating volunteers, and ensuring inclusive, bias-free spiritual care in a correctional setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in theology, religion, education, or related social/behavioral sciences.
• Or four years of professional experience as a clergyperson.
• Ordination or formal investment with ministerial authority.

Responsibilities

• Lead and train chaplaincy staff and volunteers with inclusivity and policy compliance.
• Plan, develop, schedule, and supervise worship, religious education, and events.
• Provide pastoral care to inmates and crisis support.

Skills

Leadership

Pastoral care

Volunteer management

Compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree

Ordination

Job description

ADVERTISING TITLE: SENIOR CHAPLAIN-F/C This open competitive advertisement is for a Career Service position located at Lowell Correctional Institution in the Chaplaincy Department.

Requisition No: 882873
Agency: Department of Corrections
Working Title: SENIOR CHAPLAIN - F/C
Pay Plan: Career Service
Position Number: 70000769
Salary: $44,290.22 Annually
Posting Closing Date: 09/17/2026

The Chaplaincy Department provides comprehensive spiritual care and support to inmates, staff, and their families. This is achieved through the coordination and delivery of religious programs, worship services, pastoral counseling, and educational opportunities. We aim to foster an environment of hope, healing, and personal growth, promoting the overall well-being and rehabilitation of inmates while respecting diverse faith traditions and beliefs.

This position is not a telework position and is required to report to the FDC office in the area it serves.

Job Duties

• Lead with purpose by providing training and guidance to chaplaincy staff and volunteers, ensuring inclusivity and strict compliance with laws and policies.
• Be the visionary behind a comprehensive Chaplaincy Services Program by planning, developing, scheduling, and supervising worship, religious education, and special events that inspire and uplift.
• Make a meaningful difference by offering pastoral care to inmates through personal interviews and providing unwavering support during times of crisis.
• Keep everything running smoothly by performing essential administrative functions, including scheduling, volunteer coordination, processing inmate requests, and responding to grievances with efficiency and care.
• Build a strong and dedicated team by recruiting, training, and supervising citizen volunteers, and maintaining accurate volunteer records to ensure a seamless operation.
• Training must be conducted impartially, without discrimination based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, or other protected characteristics, in accordance with applicable laws and department policies

Join us in this dynamic and impactful role where your leadership, compassion, and organizational skills will make a significant difference in the lives of inmates and the success of our Chaplaincy Services Program!

Benefits

• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
• Comprehensive health insurance and life insurance with accidental death and dismemberment benefits.
• Supplemental Dental, Vision, Life, Disability and Hospitalization insurance.
• Tuition-Free college courses.
• Retirement Plans with the Florida Retirement System:
• Pension Plan (Traditional Retirement Pension Plan)
• Investment Plan (401(K)-Type Retirement Plan)
• Deferred Retirement Option Program (Drop)
• Deferred Compensation
• Recently Retired? Beginning July 1, 2024, there is no longer a reemployment limitation; beginning with the 7th calendar month from the member's distribution date, there are no restrictions on working for an FRS employer. You will not be required to repay any prior distributions, and you may continue receiving distributions from the Investment Plan or Pension Plan without interruption.

Requirements

Please note, when submitting a college/university degree, if selected for this position official transcripts will be required.

• Must be willing and able to train and support chaplaincy staff and volunteers without bias, ensuring an inclusive and legally compliant approach that accommodates diverse religious, cultural, and personal beliefs.
• Must possess a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course of study in theology, religion, education, or one of the social or behavioral sciences or four years of professional experience as a clergyperson.
• Must possess an ordination or formal investment with ministerial or priestly authority by an ecclesiastical body is.
• Must possess a current written approbation and endorsement from the appropriate official of the ecclesiastical body.

Support of knowledge, skills, and abilities should be demonstrated on the application, in the education, in the work experience, in the work sample, in the interview and/or during reference checks.

Additional Information

Background Screening Requirement The Florida Department of Corrections requires all job applicants and volunteers to pass a Level 2 background check as per Chapter 435, Florida Statutes. This check must be completed before they can start working or volunteering.

Employment Eligibility The Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) only hires U.S. citizens and those authorized to work in the U.S. FDC uses E-Verify to confirm an employee’s eligibility to work after completing the I-9 form.

The Florida Department of Corrections does not currently support H-1B Visa Sponsorship.

Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM EST on the closing date.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

Veterans’ Preference. Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply. Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements. Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code. Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available. All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.