Chaplain

Hays County•San Marcos, TX

23d

About The Position

Under the supervision of the Inmate Program Director, the Chaplain administers, supervises, and performs work related to spiritual welfare and religious guidance for inmates in a correctional setting. The role addresses a variety of spiritual and social problems and provides services to both staff and inmates. The Chaplain is expected to follow directions, meet deadlines, maintain good attendance and punctuality, be reliable, honest, and act with integrity and a proper attitude, and be free from moral turpitude. The position coordinates religious programs and volunteer services, supports inmates’ religious practice across faiths, provides spiritual and personal guidance, and works with community religious resources. It also supports counseling and other inmate programs, responds to emergency communications, reports events that may jeopardize institutional safety and security, and may provide testimony in court proceedings. The stated essential functions are illustrative rather than comprehensive; other duties may be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Three years of clinical pastoral education training and experience, including lead or supervisory experience.
At least 21 years of age.
Class C Texas driver's license.
TCOLE Jailer’s License, or successful completion of the academic portion within one year.
Any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities sufficient to perform the duties and responsibilities of the job.
Strong work ethic, ability to follow directions and meet deadlines, good attendance and punctuality, reliability, honesty, integrity, and a proper attitude; must be free from moral turpitude.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in theology or a directly related field.
Prior law enforcement or jail experience.

Responsibilities

Procure religious resources and literature for all faiths and ensure they are available to inmates.
Schedule religious visits and activities for all faiths.
Plan and coordinate religious programs and volunteer services, including submitting applications for approval and training lay and clergy volunteers.
Maintain relationships with community religious resources and submit donations of equipment or materials for approval.
Supervise, train, and orient volunteers and clergy who work with inmates and staff.
Provide spiritual and personal guidance to inmates and staff members of all faiths.
Coordinate specialized religious and social services for inmates and provide reasonable opportunities for inmates to express and practice their faith.
Ensure equal status and protection for all religions.
Immediately verbally inform corrections staff of events that may jeopardize institutional safety and security, followed by a written report submitted by the end of the shift.
Assist counseling staff in responding to inmate requests for assistance using in-house or referral sources.
Serve as the primary spokesperson to the inmate population regarding emergency communications.
Provide credible testimony in court proceedings, including Justice Courts, County Courts, District Courts, and U.S. Federal Court.
Assist with other inmate programs.
Assist in training the Counselor.
Perform other duties as assigned.