Religious Coordinator

State of Washington • Mason County – Shelton, WA

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The Religious Coordinator (Chaplain) manages the religious services program at Washington Corrections Center (WCC), providing oversight of religious programs, services, contractors, and volunteers to ensure equal representation and support for all denominations and beliefs. As part of the institutional case management team, the Chaplain conducts services and moral instruction, addresses the spiritual needs of the incarcerated community, and provides counseling and assistance to incarcerated individuals and their families.

The position supports religious-program policy development and implementation, coordinates volunteer training, manages religious property and diets, and ensures compliance with applicable laws and Department of Corrections policies. The role is full-time, permanent, and in person at Washington Corrections Center in Shelton, Washington. The recruitment may be used to fill future or multiple vacancies.

Requirements

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

Nice To Haves

• Graduate degree in Theology, Sacred Studies, Ministry, Religious Studies, Comparative Religions, Philosophy of Religion, or an equivalent field 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.
• Good standing with, and current recognition and endorsement for correctional faith, religious, or spiritual work by a recognized religious body.

Responsibilities

• Direct and manage all religious services for the institution.
• Maintain knowledge of federal and state laws and departmental policies governing religious programs for incarcerated individuals.
• Schedule, prepare, supervise, and conduct religious services; administer sacraments and rites; and conduct services for holidays and special occasions.
• Provide religious services and counsel incarcerated individuals of all faiths.
• Ensure compliance with the DOC Religious Property Matrix and related policy, processing religious property in collaboration with custody staff.
• Assist with developing and managing the institution's religious-program budget.
• Implement policies and procedures related to religious programs.
• Manage and coordinate religious-program contractors and volunteers.
• Recruit, train, supervise, and evaluate qualified religious volunteers; maintain volunteer files and periodically audit performance.
• Prepare quarterly reports documenting volunteer involvement and incarcerated-individual attendance at religious services and programs.
• Work with CPPC to administer programs and develop volunteer recruitment initiatives involving community volunteers.
• Build relationships with religious leaders from churches, mosques, temples, and other places of worship, and attend Religious Advisory Council meetings as scheduled.
• Plan and organize faith-based activities.
• Counsel incarcerated individuals on spiritual direction, grief, marriage, relationships, marriage preparation, goal setting, and other needs.
• Coordinate incarcerated-individual marriages.
• Maintain non-denominational standing and complete religious-event packets as required.
• Supervise, evaluate, and direct incarcerated individuals employed in religious-program areas.
• Submit payroll for assigned positions in a timely manner.
• Conduct memorial services as needed.
• Manage religious property and diets, and coordinate with the grievance specialist regarding religious disputes involving diets, property, programs, or services.
• Maintain visibility and availability by visiting common areas and living units throughout the prison.
• Present weekly new-arrival orientations about services available to the incarcerated population.
• Attend job-related training as required and perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Up to 25 paid vacation days per year.
• Eight hours of paid sick leave per month.
• Twelve paid holidays per year.
• Retirement plan, including Washington Public Employees' Retirement System options and possible PSERS coverage depending on the position.
• Flexible spending accounts.
• Dependent care assistance.
• Deferred compensation.
• Remote or telework options and flexible schedules may be available depending on the position.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: No Education Listed