Correctional Chaplain - Maine Correctional Center, Windham.

State of Maine•Windham, ME

23h•$57,512 - $80,246•Onsite

About The Position

Maine Correctional Center is seeking qualified candidates for Correctional Chaplain in Windham, Maine. This is a professional services work involving comprehensive religious and spiritual services for adult male and female residents as well as staff at the Maine Correctional Center and Southern Maine Women’s Re-entry Center. The successful candidate will develop and encourage an interfaith and inclusive orientation in all aspects of care, programming and services, supporting a diverse range of traditional and non-traditional religious/spiritual beliefs. Responsibilities include planning, implementation and oversight of programming and services; close collaboration with and direction of religious volunteers and clerks or interns as apt to facility; effective response to individual and group requests; compassionate care and counsel were called for; and reliable administration of material, data and records. Work is performed under administrative direction. We are committed to rebuilding lives and are searching for great team players, with a professional attitude and well-developed integrity and ethics, to join us in this mission.

Requirements

Requires clinical pastoral education or equivalent specialized training AND endorsement by an appropriate religious certifying body.
Knowledge of individual and group spiritual guidance and counseling.
Knowledge of human behavior, habits, attitudes, and interests of persons confined or living within the limitations of a correctional facility, and an understanding of unique needs of these individuals.
Knowledge of traditional and non-traditional theological and/or philosophical systems and religions, their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking about forgiveness, loss and healing and other subjects of interest to residents, customs, sacred texts, and practices.
Knowledge of contemporary principles and methods for design and presentation of religious/spiritual material for different needs and audiences.
Knowledge of program planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership, and coordination of people and resources.
Ability to plan and direct all phases of an active interfaith religious/spiritual program
Ability to direct and oversee a volunteer workforce (including clerks and interns) within a correctional facility.
Ability to exercise initiative, tact, patience, compassionate care and empathy, and good judgment in dealing with people.
Ability to establish and maintain professional and respectful relationships in all interactions and work in close collaboration with peer chaplain.
Ability to maintain accurate records, and present clear written communications.
Ability to use computers to effectively communicate, meet with others, produce brochures, flyers and other program material, record data, create reports.

Nice To Haves

Full ordination as a clergyperson and a bachelor’s degree in religion, theology, philosophy, or a directly related field is preferred.
Experience or training developing an inclusive inter-faith environment and program/services for variety of faith traditions.
Candidates that possess managerial experience in dynamic and busy work setting
Possess one or more units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) (or at least one unit as the ACA standard states)
Possess computer skills to support evolving audiovisual needs, creation of materials, data collection/records, admin and correspondence.

Responsibilities

Plans, provides, oversees, and regularly evaluates meaningful religious/spiritual programs and services that meet interests of all residents and of staff toward fulfillment of personal religious/spiritual needs and wellbeing of the whole community.
Discerns the scope and type of spiritual-emotional needs and interests of current residents and staff through interaction and evaluative processes, making effective changes and additions as appropriate.
Provides individual or group spiritual-emotional or religious counsel as requested to support daily life and respond to special situations.
Develops and maintains professional interface with other roles/disciplines to support integrated and coordinated care of the whole person (for resident and staff member).
Develops and maintains an active Interfaith Council for both residents that fosters sharing between, understanding of, and appreciation for various faith traditions and works on projects and initiatives to support resident religious practice and spiritual exploration under direction of the chaplain.
Provides spiritual assessment of all incoming residents and other residents or staff who request individual religious counsel, making referrals to resources or other staff as appropriate.
Establishes, maintains and directs a cadre of volunteers educated and trained to meet religious needs and interests of active religions.
Collaborates closely with facility Volunteer Coordinator regarding training and honoring events.
Oversee and regularly evaluates all religious volunteer activities to ensure they align with desired goals and ensure consistent application of correctional policies, procedures and standards.
Professionally builds and sustains positive, collaborative and professional interpersonal relations with volunteers, staff, residents, community representatives and others in interaction and communication to effectively and respectfully serve all in the exchange of information, coordination of events, meeting requests/needs, working through roadblocks/issues.
Effectively manages data of all program and event attendance and other information to maintain accurate and complete record keeping of religious/spiritual counsel, programming, volunteer work and services.
Proactively and in a timely manner, administers (addresses, meets or resolves) resident requests (to include but not limited to property, purchases of items, special needs, special concerns or changes in religious preference), actively accessing resources or providing service and follow up with all parties to mutual satisfaction, maintaining forms and records regarding each inquiry.
Participating in policy review, making recommendations for changes in policy, procedures or standards to best support quality religious programming, services and opportunities for spiritual exploration and growth and comply with all mandated requirements.