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Posted: February 3, 2026 (3 days ago)

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Chaplain

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Department of Corrections

Fresh

Location

Pennsylvania, 17120

Salary

$59,345 - $90,211

per year

Type

Closes

February 8, 2026

Job Description

Summary

This job is for a chaplain at a Pennsylvania state prison, where you'll provide spiritual guidance, lead religious services, and offer emotional support to inmates from all faiths.

You'll also coordinate activities with community volunteers and handle requests for religious accommodations.

It's a great fit for someone with pastoral experience who wants to help people in a challenging environment and is comfortable working on-site with a structured schedule.

Key Requirements

  • Two years of professional pastoral experience and a bachelor’s degree, or an equivalent combination including at least one year of pastoral experience
  • Documentation from an officially sanctioned faith group confirming authorization to conduct worship services, dated within one year of application
  • Completion of the Correctional Chaplains Training Course within six months of hire
  • Annual maintenance of credentials with an officially sanctioned faith group throughout employment
  • Successful completion of basic training in Elizabethtown, PA
  • Ability to perform essential job functions, including providing guidance to individuals of all faiths or no faith
  • Pass a background investigation

Full Job Description

Bring your religious experience to the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (DOC) and start a rewarding career!

The State Correctional Institution (SCI) at Coal Township is seeking a highly motivated Chaplain to help guide our inmates of varying faiths in a multitude of religious ceremonies and practices.

If you are looking to bring comfort and guidance to others, this is a great opportunity for you!


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Requirements

In this position, you will provide spiritual and religious guidance to individuals within SCI Coal Township.

Your work will involve developing, coordinating, and providing a wide variety of spiritual and religious activities, as well as conducting regular worship and special religious services.

You will work with various community groups to train volunteers and encourage participation in the religious activities of the facility.

An important aspect of this work involves offering spiritual and emotional support, guidance, and counsel by providing prayer, comfort, and encouragement to individuals of all faiths or no faith.

Additionally, you will evaluate requests for religious accommodation and participate in speaking engagements.


Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.


Work Schedule and Additional Information:

  • Full-time employment, 37.5 hours per week
  • Work hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM and Thursday 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
  • This position is eligible for full retirement benefits at age 50 or 55.
  • Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position.
  • Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
  • You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

  • Two years of professional pastoral experience and a bachelor’s degree; or
  • An equivalent combination of experience and training that includes one year of professional pastoral experience.

Special Requirements:

  • All candidates are required, at the time of application, to provide documentation from an officially sanctioned faith group dated within one year of the application date stating they are officially sanctioned or authorized to conduct worship/sacred services, and specifying which sacraments, rites, ceremonies, or rituals they are authorized to perform as a religious leader.
  • All employees in the Department of Corrections must complete the Correctional Chaplains Training Course within six months of hire.
  • All employees in the Department of Corrections must maintain their credentials with an officially sanctioned faith group on an annual basis for the duration of employment.

Additional Requirements:

  • Successful completion of basic training in Elizabethtown, PA is required.
  • You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirements:

  • You must pass a background investigation and meet Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) compliance requirements.

How to Apply:

Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position.

Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).

  • If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
  • Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
  • Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.

  • Veterans:

    • Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

    Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

    • 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

    If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.


    The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce.

    The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania.

    The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law.

    All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

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    Posted on NEOGOV: 2/3/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 2/3/2026

    Source: NEOGOV | ID: neogov-pabureau-5219720